Gayathri Ashokan is an Indian poster designer and screenwriter who works in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema, also referred to as Mollywood, is a segment of Cinema of India, Indian cinema dedicated to producing films in the Malayalam, Malayalam language, primarily spoken in Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. It encompasses both th ...

. He is considered as a pioneer in poster designing art along with P. N. Menon in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

film industry. His debut design was for director

Padmarajan Padmarajan Padmanabhan Pillai, better known as P. Padmarajan (23 May 1945 – 23 January 1991) was an Indian film maker, screenwriter and author who was known for his works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. He was the founder of a ...

' s ''

Koodevide ''Koodevide?'' () is a 1983 Malayalam-language drama film, written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Mammootty, Suhasini Maniratnam, Suhasini, and Rahman (actor), Rahman. The film is based on the Tamil language, Tamil novel ''Moongil Pook ...

'' where he created a poster with all characters appearing in

postage stamp A postage stamp is a small piece of paper issued by a post office, postal administration, or other authorized vendors to customers who pay postage (the cost involved in moving, insuring, or registering mail). Then the stamp is affixed to the f ...

. The posters created a very good impact among filmgoers. He has designed promotional posters for over 700 films including

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

films. Ashokan introduced the

airbrush An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that atomizes and sprays various media, most often paint, but also ink, dye, and make-up. Spray painting developed from the airbrush and is considered to employ a type of airbrush. History Up unt ...

concept in Malayalam posters.

Career

Ashokan started off his career as a designer for books and magazines based at

Kottayam Kottayam () is a city in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is the district headquarters of the district and is located about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Kottayam has a population of ...

and he later started doing posters in the name of the studio he worked. The posters of most of the films produced and distributed by Jubilee Pictures, Geo Movies, Binny Films, Central Pictures and Century Films were designed by Ashokan, on behalf of the Studio. He has also worked as a lay out designer for ''Cut-Cut Magazine'', published from Kottayam. His first break as an independent poster designer happened with ''

'', followed by ''

Swanthamevide Bandhamevide ''Swanthamevide? Bandhamevide?'' () is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by J. Sasikumar and written by S. L. Puram Sadanandan from a story by Sasikumar. It is a remake of Sasikumar's 1965 film '' Thommante Makkal'' w ...

'', ''

Sandarbham 'Sandarbham' is a 1984 Malayalam film directed by Joshiy, written by Cochin Haneefa, screenplay by Kaloor Dennis, and starring Mammootty, Sukumaran, Saritha, Seema, P. K. Abraham, K. P. A. C. Sunny and Unni Mary. The film is a typical tear ...

'', ''

Ente Upasana ''Ente Upasana'' is a 1984 Malayalam film, directed by Bharathan, written by Thoppil Bhasi, starring Mammootty and Suhasini. The film is based on the award-winning novel ''Upasana'' by Mallika Yunis. The film was remade in Telugu as ''Karpoora ...

'' and finally his 10th film ''

My Dear Kuttichathan ''My Dear Kuttichathan'' () is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language children's fantasy film directed by Jijo Punnoose and produced by his father Navodaya Appachan under Navodaya Studio. It was the first Indian film to be filmed in 3D format. Wi ...

''. Eight of those ten films became a success at the box office establishing Ashokan as a prominent designer. Gayathri Ashokan's work for ''

Devaraagam ''Devaraagam'' is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film directed by Bharathan and starring Aravind Swamy and Sridevi. It also had KPAC Lalitha, Kozhikode Narayanan Nair, Zeenath, and Nedumudi Venu in supporting roles. The film was ...

'', '' Kala Pani'' and ''

Thazhvaram ''Thazhvaram'' () is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language epic western film directed by Bharathan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. It stars Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse, Sumalatha, Anju, and Sankaradi. It tells the story of Balan (Mohanlal) who's on t ...

'' was much appreciated. He is also the

screenwriter A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...

for the

Mohanlal Mohanlal Viswanathan (; born 21 May 1960), known mononymously as Mohanlal, is an Indian actor and filmmaker who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, Malayalam cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Hin ...

starrer action thriller ''

Douthyam ''Douthyam'' () is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller spy film directed by P. Anil and written by Gayathri Ashokan. The film stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Parvathy, and Babu Antony. The film attracted media attention for the actio ...

'', released in 1989. He also wrote the screenplay of Itha Samayamayi, but was uncredited.

Selected filmography

*''

Kalikkalam ''Kalikkalam'' () is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, starring Mammootty, Shobana and Murali. the film was major commercial success. Plot Mammootty plays a burglar who is known by different na ...

'' *''

Parannu Parannu Parannu ''Parannu Parannu Parannu'' () is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language film, written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Rahman, Rohini and Nedumudi Venu in pivotal roles. Plot Elizabeth is a physical education instructor at a college and liv ...

'' *''

Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki ''Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki'' () is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Joshiy. It is a remake of the Hindi film ''Khubsoorat''. The film stars M. G. Soman, Lakshmi and Nadhiya. Plot The head of Mangalath Family, middle-aged Padm ...

'' *'' Oru Nokku Kaanan'' *'' Muthaaramkunnu P.O'' *''

Nirakkoottu ''Nirakkoottu'' is a List of Malayalam films of 1985, 1985 Indian Malayalam cinema, Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by Joshiy, written by Dennis Joseph, starring Mammootty, Sumalatha, Urvashi (actress), Urvashi, Lizy (actress), L ...

'' *'' Namukku Paarkkaan Munthirithoppukal'' *'' Snehamulla Simham'' *'' Ee Kaikalil'' *''

Chidambaram Chidambaram is a major town and municipality in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Vellar River where it meets the Bay of Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Chidambaram taluk. The town is believed to b ...

'' *'' Kariyilakkaattu Pole'' *''

Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare ''Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare'' () is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language drama film produced by Navodaya Appachan under Navodaya Studio, written and directed by Reghunath Paleri in his directorial debut. The film features Asha Jayaram and Geethu Moha ...

'' *'' Shyama'' *'' Anantharam'' *'' Kadhaykku Pinnil'' *''

1921 Events January * January 2 ** The Association football club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, from Belo Horizonte, is founded as the multi-sports club Palestra Italia by Italian expatriates in First Brazilian Republic, Brazil. ** The Spanish lin ...

'' *'' Kudumbapuraanam'' *'' Sangham'' *''

'' *'' Kala Pani'' *''

'' *''

Vellanakalude Nadu ''Vellanakalude Nadu'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language political satire crime film directed by Priyadarshan, written by Sreenivasan and produced by Maniyanpilla Raju. The film stars Mohanlal, Shobhana, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, M. G. ...

'' *''

New Delhi New Delhi (; ) is the Capital city, capital of India and a part of the Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the Government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Parliament ...

'' * ''Mathilukal'' *''

Thaniyavarthanam ''Thaniyavarthanam'' () is a 1987 Malayalam language psychological drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mammootty as school teacher Balagopalan, Thilakan as the uncle of the matrilineal family, Mukesh as ...

'' *''

Irupatham Noottandu ''Irupatham Noottandu'' () is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by K. Madhu, written by S. N. Swamy and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, and Ambika. The film's music was composed by Shyam. I ...

'' *''

Oru CBI Diary kurippu ''Oru CBI Diary Kurippu'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by K. Madhu, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mukesh, and Sukumaran. The lead character, CBI office ...

'' *'' Dinaraathrangal'' *'' Moonnaam Mura'' *'' Mrigaya'' *''

Vandanam ''Vandanam'' () is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Priyadarshan, written by V. R. Gopalakrishnan, and produced by P. K. R. Pillai. The film stars Mohanlal and Girija Shettar, while Mukesh and Nedumudi Venu appear in supporti ...

'' *''

Chithram ''Chithram'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film was produced by P. K. R. Pillai under his production house Shirdi Sai Creations, and stars Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi V ...

'' *'' Utharam'' *'' Kireedam'' *''

Paadha Mudra ''Padamudra'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé ...

'' *'' Varavelpu'' *''

Manu Uncle ''Manu Uncle'' is a List of Malayalam films of 1988, 1988 Indian Malayalam cinema, Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Dennis Joseph and produced by Jubilee Productions, Joy Thomas. Starring Mammootty,M. G. Soman, Prathapachandran, ...

'' *'' Ponmuttayidunna Thaaravu'' *'' Sargam'' *'' Samrajyam'' *''

Thenmavin Kombath ''Thenmavin Kombath'' () is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. It was produced and edited by N. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Mohanlal, Shobana, and Nedumudi Venu, with Kaviyoor Ponnamm ...

'' *'' Chandralekha'' *'' His Highness Abdulla '' *'' Aaraam Thamburan'' *''

FIR Firs are evergreen coniferous trees belonging to the genus ''Abies'' () in the family Pinaceae. There are approximately 48–65 extant species, found on mountains throughout much of North and Central America, Eurasia, and North Africa. The genu ...

'' *''

Kilukkam ''Kilukkam'' () is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Venu Nagavalli. The story set in Ooty revolves around tourist guide Joji (Mohanlal) and photographer Nishchal (Jagathy Sreekumar). They ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ashokan, Gayathri Malayalam screenwriters Film poster artists Living people 1957 births