Priyadarsan

Priyadarshan (born 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Hindi films, while also having done six films in Tamil and two films in Telugu. He has done about 31 films in Hindi alone, the highest number of films done by any Hindi film director after David Dhawan. He was one of the first directors in India to introduce rich color grading, clear sound and quality dubbing through his early Malayalam films. Priyadarshan has also directed many advertisement films.

Priyadarshan began his career in Malayalam cinema in the early 1980s and was active throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Towards 2000s, he moved to Bollywood (Hindi-language cinema) and remained active throughout the decade. In 2013, he announced that ''Rangrezz'' would be his last Hindi film for a while and shifted focus to Malayalam cinema. His most notable films include ''Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu'', ''Thalavattam'', ''Vellanakalude Nadu'', ''Chithram'', ''Vandanam'', ''Kilukkam'', ''Abhimanyu'', '' Mithunam'', ''Thenmavin Kombath'', '' Kala Pani'', and '' Chandralekha''. He frequently collaborated with actors like Mohanlal, Shankar, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Sankaradi, M.G. Soman, Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Sukumari, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Shobana, KPAC Lalitha, Revathi, Lissy, Cochin Haneefa, Maniyanpilla Raju, Nandhu, Jagadeesh, C.I. Paul, Vineeth, Ganesh Kumar and Mamukoya.

He is known for adapting Malayalam films into Hindi, from his own work as well as from other films. Most notable such Bollywood films include '' Hera Pheri'', ''Hungama'', '' Hulchul'', ''Garam Masala'', ''Bhagam Bhag'', ''Chup Chup Ke'', ''De Dana Dan'' and ''Bhool Bhulaiyaa''.

His multiple collaborations in Hindi include Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Pooja Batra, Amrish Puri, Johny Lever, Asrani, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Kareena Kapoor, Om Puri, Tinnu Anand, Shakti Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi, Sharat Saxena, Arbaaz Khan, Jackie Shroff and Suniel Shetty.

Priyadarshan has also directed many advertisement films. His most popular commercials are for Coca-Cola, American Express, Nokia, Parker Pens, Asian Paints, Kinley and Max New York Life Insurance.

Early life

Priyadarshan received his education at Government Model School, Trivandrum and obtained a Master of Arts in Philosophy from University College Trivandrum. His father was a college librarian, it helped Priyadarshan to develop interest in books. He was a voracious reader during his teenage years, and during his study in college he started writing short plays and skits for All India Radio. He was influenced by the films of director P. Venu. His friends in those days included Mohanlal, M. G. Sreekumar, Suresh Kumar, Sanal Kumar, Jagadish, Maniyanpilla Raju, looking for a chance in films. Priyadarshan, with the help of Mohanlal, got a few chances to work as an assistant scriptwriter in a couple of films and started writing scripts, with some turning into success. Eventually, he had to come back to Kerala.

Film career

Priyadarshan has been working since 40 years in Indian cinema as a director and screenwriter. He has directed over 95 Films in 4 Indian languages mainly, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu.

1984-1987

In 1984, Priyadarshan, along with his close friends Suresh Kumar and Sanal Kumar, decided to produce a film as Shankar, the saleable hero, helped them in arranging finance from Thiruvenkadam, a top film financier. Mohanlal, who was by then a popular star, was selected as the parallel hero along with Shankar. Thus in 1984, Priyadarshan made his debut as director with ''Poochakkoru Mookkuthi'', which was a surprise hit. A slapstick comedy film shot on a low budget, it completed a successful run of 100 days in Kerala theatres. Priyan continued his fine form for slapstick comedy with the successful ''Odaruthammava Aalariyam'' and he later made '' Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil'' and the Mammootty-Shankar family thriller ''Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya''. Then he made ''Punnaram Cholli Cholli'', his first film without Mohanlal. His successful stinct continued with '' Boeing Boeing'' and ''Aram + Aram = Kinnaram'', both doing wonderful business. He was later criticised for making ''Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil'', a film which was supposed to be made with Shankar and Menaka and many said the lead pair Mammootty & Suhasini was miscast and in spite of hit songs, the film flopped. But ''Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu'', ''Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi'' and ''Dheem Tharikida Thom'' became hits underlining his consistency. Priyan was accepted as a serious director with the highly successful tragic family drama ''Thalavattam''. His Tamil film ''Chinnamanikkuyile'' remained unreleased, while his success stint continued in Malayalam with ''Cheppu'' being a success.

1988-1998

1988 was a landmark year in Priyadarshan's career. He directed ''Vellanakalude Nadu'', based on a script by Sreenivasan, with Mohanlal in the lead role. This film revolved around corruption, land mafia and other social issues. This film ended up becoming the biggest hit in Priyadarshan's career to that point. Then came ''Aryan'', an action film based on the Mumbai underworld scripted by T.Damodaran, which completed 150 days in theatres. ''Chithram'', Priyadarshan's all-time biggest hit, was also released in 1988. ''Chithram'' completed 366 days in theatres and created new records in collections, until they were broken by his own film, ''Kilukkam'' in 1991. ''Oru Muthassi Katha'' and ''Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu'' completed his 5 releases of 1988. However, he couldn't deliver hits in 1990 with ''Kadathanadan Ambadi'' and ''Akkare Akkare Akkare''. In the year 1991, Priyadarshan brought out ''Kilukkam'' with Mohanlal, Jagathi Sreekumar and Revathi . ''Kilukkam'' broke several collection records and is still considered one of the best films from the Priyadarshan-Mohanlal team. His next three films, ''Abhimanyu'' (1991), ''Advaitham'' (1992), and '' Thenmavin Kombathu'' (1994) successfully completed 100 days in theatres. Both '' Midhunam'' (1993) and ''Minnaram'' (1994) were able to make good response in cinemas. Meanwhile, Priyadarshan was invited by Shri. M. Karunanidhi to direct a film for his son's production house. Priyadarshan thus made his Tamil debut with ''Gopura Vasalile'' . In 1991 he also made a Telugu film '' Nirnayam'' when Nagarjuna approached him to remake his Malayalam film ''Vandanam'' in Telugu. In the year 1992, Priyadarshan made his debut in Bollywood with ''Muskurahat'', again remake of his own Malayalam film ''Kilukkam'' which ended up as a disastrous flop.

In 1993, he made a comeback in Hindi with ''Gardish'', an adaptation of the Malayalam film '' Kireedom'', written by A. K. Lohithadas. Priyadarshan successfully added ingredients required for Hindi audiences and the film was a huge hit, opening the doors of Bollywood to him. In 1994, Priyadarshan directed his second and last Telugu film till date, ''Gandeevam'', starring Balakrishna. He was also assigned the direction of the Miss World 1996 event that was held in Bangalore, which made him a known face around the country. In 1996, Priyadarshan came up with his dream project, '' Kalapani'', an epic period film based on Indian struggle for Independence scripted by T.Damodaran. With Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu and Amrish Puri in main roles and outstanding music by Ilaiyaraja, '' Kalapani'' took Priyadarshan's career path to new heights. This film, which was originally filmed in Malayalam, was also dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi simultaneously. ''Kalapani'' brought him several awards for the first time in his career. In 1997, Priyadarshan directed two films, '' Chandralekha'' in Malayalam and '' Virasat'' a Hindi adaptation of Bharathan's Tamil film ''Thevar Magan'', both super hits. The success of ''Virasat'' made Priyadarshan a household name in Hindi cinema.
In the year 1998, Priyadarshan directed three films, ''Saat Rang Ke Sapne'', remake of his own '' Thenmavin Kombathu'', then ''Doli Saja Ke Rakhna'', with story adapted from '' Fazil's'' '' Aniyathi Pravu'' and ''Kabhi na Kabhi'', but all three bombed at the box office. Priyadarshan joined with Mammooty after a long gap in 1999 for ''Megham''. During this period Priyadarshan received a couple of offers from Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna, actors of Telugu industry to direct them, but declined them and moved on to his next Hindi project.

2000-2016

In 2000, '' Hera Pheri'' was released in Hindi, which for once and all changed the destiny of Priyadarshan in Bollywood. ''Hera Pheri'', an adaptation of the Malayalam film '' Ramjirao Speaking'' (1989), was a huge hit at the box office. Starring Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Tabu and Paresh Rawal, this film is now considered a landmark in the history of Hindi cinema. The film also gave birth to the Priyadarshan-Akshay Kumar team, which in later years produced several hits. After '' Hera Pheri'', Paresh Rawal became another regular face in Priyadarshan films. This film was followed by a series of films in Hindi including ''Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar'', ''Hungama'', '' Hulchul'', ''Garam Masala'', and ''Kyon Ki''. In the year 2000, Priyadarshan directed the Malayalam-Tamil bilingual ''Raakilipattu'' (''Snegithiye'' in Tamil) starring Tabu and Jyothika, with story adapted from the Marathi film ''Bindhaast'', an experimental film with all female characters, which was critically well received. The original plan was to release both versions simultaneously, but due to unknown reasons the Malayalam version was delayed and the Tamil version released first. The Malayalam as well as the dubbed Hindi version, ''Friendship'', released only seven years later in 2007.

Priyadarshan's English language epic period film titled '' The Last Revolutionary'' produced by 20th Century Fox, based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Chandrasekhar Azad was supposed begin filming in 2001, but the project was shelved due to unknown reasons. During this period, Tamil actor Kamal Haasan was working on his ambitious film, ''Anbe Sivam''. After finishing the script, Kamal Haasan approached Priyadarshan to direct the film. The pre-production commenced; but after some differences of opinion between the director and the actor; Priyadarshan opted out from the project before the first schedule. This sudden setback led to the whole crew to run out of their schedules. Hence, the producers after convincing Kamal Haasan, quickly roped in Sundar.C to direct the film.

Priyadarshan made the comedy film ''Kakkakuyil'' in 2001, bringing back the old combo of Mohanlal and Mukesh, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The film was a superhit at the box office. Then his two other films in Malayalam, ''Kilichundan Mampazham'' and ''Vettam'' released in 2003 and 2004 respectively, were average run at box office, which made him concentrate more in Bollywood. But at the same time, in Hindi, Priyadarshan continued his successful run with ''Chup Chup Ke'', ''Bhagam Bhag'', ''Malamaal Weekly'', ''Dhol'', ''Bhool Bhulaiyaa'', ''De Dana Dan'' and ''Mere Baap Pehle Aap''. But his subsequent films ''Billu'', ''Bumm Bumm Bole'', '' Khatta Meeta'', '' Aakrosh'' and ''Tezz'' failed to live up to the expectations. His most recent release ''Rangrezz'' also failed at the box-office.
In the meantime, Priyadarshan stunned everyone with ''Kanchivaram'', an offbeat film that revolved around the weavers in Kanchipuram. Prakash Raj, who played the central character, won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2008. Kanchivaram also won accolades at several film festivals.

Priyadarshan returned to Malayalam films directing the Mohanlal starrer, ''Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomikkadha''. The 2013 film ''Geethaanjali'' starring Mohanlal as Dr. Sunny Joseph, and the 2014 film ''Aamayum Muyalum'' did not do well at the box-office.

In late 2015, Priyadarshan announced a crime thriller film in Malayalam, with Mohanlal in the lead role. The production was confirmed and the title ''Oppam'' was announced in December 2015. The director started working on the film ahead of another big-budget film starring Mohanlal, which was delayed due to unfavourable weather in Russia, where the film was supposed to be shot. The screenplay and dialogues are written by Priyadarshan himself which is based on the story by debutant writer Govind Vijayan. The film released to positive reviews and emerged as a blockbuster, beating several records and becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film of the year within 16 days of release.

2018-present

In early 2018, he started pre-production on '' Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham'', a Malayalam language epic historical period film set in the 16th century. The film with Mohanlal in the titular role, is based on the battle exploits of Kunjali Marakkar IV—the naval chieftain of the Zamorin of Calicut. Kunjali Marakkars organised the first naval defense of the Indian coast by safeguarding Calicut from Portuguese invasion for almost a century. The film was eventually released on 2 December 2021.

Personal life

He married actress Lissy on 13 December 1990. The couple got divorced in 2016,
actress Kalyani and Sidharth are their children.

Filmography

Awards and honours

Priyadarshan has won awards, given by the State and Central government for his movies. His offbeat film ''Kanchivaram'' was adjudged the best feature film at the 2007 National Film Awards. He made a period epic film titled ''Kaalapani'', in Malayalam, which told the story of freedom fighters in the jail at Andaman and Nicobar Islands; it starred Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu and Amrish Puri, and received four National Film Awards, including awards for Santosh Sivan (cinematography) and Sabu Cyril (art direction). The film was dubbed and released in other languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

;Civilian Awards
* 2012 – Padma Shri Awarded "Padma Shri", by the president of India for his contribution to Indian Cinema.

;National Film Awards:
* 2007 – Director of the Best Feature Film – ''Kanchivaram'' (Golden Lotus)
* 2007 – Producer of the Best Feature Film – ''Kanchivaram'' (Golden Lotus)
* 2019 – Director of the Best Feature Film – '' Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea'' (Golden Lotus)

;Filmfare Awards South
* 2009 – Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil – ''Kanchivaram''

;FilmFare Awards:
* 1997 – Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics) – '' Virasat''

;Kerala State Film Awards:
* 1994 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – ''Thenmavin Kombath''
* 1995 – Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film – ''Kaalapani''

;Madhya Pradesh State Film Awards:
* 2019 – Prestigious Kishore Kumar Award for contribution to Indian Cinema

;Other Awards :
* 2008 – Special Honour Jury Award for Outstanding contributions to Indian Cinema
* 2008 – Special Jury Award at Chennai & Jaipur International Film Festival – 'Sila Samayangalil', an art movie on AIDS awareness.
* 2010 – Jaihind Rajat Mudra Award
*The Films – Kalapani and Thenmavin Kombathu has also won another 6 National Awards for Photography, Sound, Art Direction and Special Effects.
*'Excellence Award', by Hindustan University, Chennai – 2013
* Kerala Government's Appointment under Ministry of Culture:
* Chairman of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy for the period 2011-2014
* Director of International Film Festival of Kerala for the period 2011–2014.
* 2019 – ''Kishore Kumar'' Award by the Government of Madhya Pradesh
* 2022 – Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science.

; Asiavision Awards:
* 2016 – Best Director – ''Oppam''

; Sports :

* Columnist for Malayala Manorama Newspaper for international cricket matches played in Kerala.
* Chairperson of the Committee of Ceremonies for the 35th National Games held in Kerala in 2015.

;Social :

* Rising Star Outreach of India – Served as Director from July 2014 till March 2019; Rising star is one of the largest leprosy eradication organization in the world, running welfare centres and educational institutions for leprosy affected people and their family.

Government of India's appointment under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting :
Priyadarshan served as 'Chairperson', of the Feature Films Jury of the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2019.
He was the Central Jury Chairperson of 64th National Awards for 2016 (President's Award for the Year 2016 )

References

External links

Official website
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{{Authority control

Film directors from Thiruvananthapuram
Malayalam film directors
Film producers from Thiruvananthapuram
Hindi-language film directors
Kerala State Film Award winners
Living people
1957 births
Filmfare Awards South winners
Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
20th-century Indian film directors
21st-century Indian film directors
Malayalam screenwriters
People from Thiruvananthapuram
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Screenwriters from Thiruvananthapuram
Directors who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award