Indian film director and screenwriter
A. K. Lohithadas |
|---|
 |
| Born | (1955-05-10)10 May 1955
|
|---|
| Died | 28 June 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 54)
|
|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
|---|
| Occupations |
- Screenwriter
- playwright
- director
- producer
|
|---|
| Years active | 1986–2009 |
|---|
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][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 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, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of
Ambazhathuparambil Karunakaran and Lakshmi.[citation needed]
Career
Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil".[citation needed] Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several Malayalam movies.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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 Nivedyam (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.[citation needed]
"Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.[citation needed]
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.[8][9] His body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours.[citation needed] He is survived by his wife Sindhu and two sons named Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.
