A. K. Lohithadas

A. K. Lohithadas
Born	(1955-05-10)10 May 1955 Chalakkudy, Thiru-Kochi (now Kerala), India
Died	28 June 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 54) Kochi, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Screenwriter Playwright Director Producer
Years active	1986–2009
Spouse(s)	Sindhu (1987–2009)
Children	Harikrishnan, Vijayshankar

Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (10 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry.^[1] He is known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays.^[2] In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, six Kerala State Film Awards, and fourteen Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.^[3]

Lohithadas made his debut as a screenwriter with Thaniyavarthanam (1987). He has written screenplays for 35 films in a 24-year-long career, such as Vicharana (1988), Ezhuthapurangal (1988), Kireedam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), Mrugaya (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Sasneham (1990), Bharatham (1991), Amaram (1991), Aadhaaram (1992), Kamaladalam (1992), Vatsalyam (1993), Venkalam (1993), Padheyam (1993), Chenkol (1993), Chakoram (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), and Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999).^[4] He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi (1997). He later wrote and directed other films such as Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000), and Kasthooriman (2003).^[5] He died on 28 June 2009 due to a heart attack.^[6]

Early life[]

Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', as he is often referred to) was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy Kerala. He showed an initial interest in writing short stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theatre in 1986

Career[]

Fresh with the play's commercial and critical success, Lohithadas was introduced to K. G. George by actor Thilakan. It did not help Lohithadas to start a career in Malayalam cinema. But it was K. G. George who gave the basic core idea of the story, later which was developed by Lohithadas to make the film Kireedam. Later, Thilakan introduced Lohithadas to director Sibi Malayil when Sibi was searching for a good writer for his films. Thus Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil" was moderate success. Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several memorable Malayalam movies. His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Dasharatham (1989), Kireedam (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Bharatham (1990), Dhanam (1991), Kamaladalam (1992), and Chenkol (1993). Other works include Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999), Sasneham (1990) for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram, Venkalam(1991) for Bharathan.

He later became a filmmaker and made works such as Bhoothakkannadi (1997), Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Arayannangalude Veedu (2000), Joker (2000), Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and (2007).^[7] Most of his works were critically and commercially successful. His works were recognised from his very first venture Thaniyavarthanam, which brought him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story. When he went to Germany for a film festival for screening his first directorial venture Bhoothakkannadi, one of the German filmmakers asked him by seeing this movie whether he is a Psychologist or not. That film was a real and exact depiction of human psychology.

Thilakan has always been proud of Lohithadas who was introduced to Malayalam film industry by him. Lohithadas went on to become one of the most prominent classic screenwriters that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. "Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.

Death[]

In the morning of 28 June 2009, he experienced chest pains and uneasiness at his home at Aluva near Ernakulam and was immediately taken to the Lisy Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam, where he was declared dead from a heart attack at 10:50.^[8][9] His dead body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours. He is survived by his wife Sindhu and sons Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.

Awards[]

Lohithadas along with director Bharathan and cinematographer Ramachandra Babu at the location of Venkalam.

National Film Awards:

• 1998 – Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director – Bhoothakannadi

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi
• 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi

• 1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

• 2005 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light – Kasthuri Maan

Other awards[]

• Film Critics award for Best script – Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Dasharatham (1989)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Kireedam (1989)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Bharatham (1991)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Chenkol (1993)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Chakoram (1994)
• Film Critics award for Best script – Sallapam (1995)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Thooval Kottaram (1996)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Ormacheppu (1998)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Joker (1999)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (2000)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Kasthooriman (2003)
• Film Critics award for Best script- (2007)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Joker (1999)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Kasthoorimann (2003)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- (2007),
• Asianet Film Award
• 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal

Filmography[]

Screenwriter[]

Director[]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to A. K. Lohithadas.

• A. K. Lohithadas at IMDb
• 'Cinema of Malayalam' profile
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