Lohithadas

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. 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.

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 ''Ezhuthapurangal'' (1987), '' Vicharana'' (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). He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with ''Bhoothakkannadi'' (1997). He later wrote and directed '' Karunyam'' (1997), '' Kanmadam'' (1998), '' Joker'' (2000),''Soothradharan(2001)'' and ''Kasthooriman'' (2003). He died on 28 June 2009 due to a heart attack.

Early life

Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', as he is often referred to) was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of Lakshmi and Karunakaran of the Ambazhathuparambil house. He considered Chalakudy as his base for most of his writings and centered himself with his friends during his stays in his hometown.

Career

Lohi's first movie screenplay was ''Thaniyavarthanam'' directed by "Sibi Malayil". Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several 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),''Soothradharan(2001)'' ''Kasthooriman'' (2003) (which he himself produced), and '' Nivedyam'' (2007).
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.

"Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.

Death

On 28 June 2009, Lohithadas, 54, died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for two-three years. His 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 two sons named Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.

Awards

; National Film Awards:

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

; Kerala State Film Awards:

* 1987 – Best Story – ''Thaniyavarthanam''
* 1997 – Best Film – '' Bhoothakannadi''
* 1997 – Best Screen Play – ''Bhoothakkannadi''

; Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

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

; Kerala Film Critics Association Awards"കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012"
Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
* 1989 – Best Screenplay – ''Dasharatham''
* 1991 – Best Screenplay – ''Bharatham''
* 1996 – Best Screenplay – ''Sallapam, Thooval Kottaram''
* 1997 – Second Best Film – ''Bhoothakkannadi''
* 1997 – Best Story – ''Bhoothakkannadi''
* 1998 – Second Best Film – '' Ormacheppu''
* 1998 – Best Screenplay – ''Ormacheppu''
* 1998 – Second Best Film – '' Nivedyam''
* 1999 – Best Screenplay – ''Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal''
* 2003 – Second Best Film – ''Kasthooriman''

; Asianet Film Award
* 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – ''Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal''

Filmography

Screenwriter

Director

Actor

References

External links

*

'Cinema of Malayalam' profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lohithadas, A. K.
1955 births
2009 deaths
People from Chalakudy
Malayalam film directors
Tamil film directors
Kerala State Film Award winners
Malayalam screenwriters
Male actors in Malayalam cinema
Indian male film actors
21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Film directors from Thrissur
Screenwriters from Kerala
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
Director whose film won the Best Debut Feature Film National Film Award
20th-century Indian screenwriters
Male actors from Thrissur