Here’s my selection of five best contemporary directors in the Malayalam cinema industry –
PRIYADARSAN
SATHYAN ANTHIKAUD
PADMARAJAN
FAZIL
I V SASI
PRIYADARSAN – Priyadarsan started his career in 1984 with “POOCHAKKORU MOOKKOOTHI”, which is considered as one of the best comedy films in Malayalam. He created magic in box-office right from the start, remains unbeaten over the years, and even triumphed in bollywood. One thing special about him is the continuous improvement we can observe in his movies. It is Priyan who has exploited the supreme dexterity of MohanLal the most. Priyan’s early films redefined and dignified the concept of slapstick comedy in Malayalam cinema. His ability to co-ordinate the huge star cast is exceptional. His visuals are also the best in the industry. Most of his films feature the same set of actors and technicians, and he knows how to get the best out of them. KAALAPANI is his masterpiece. Some of his best creations are –
POOCHAKKORU MOOKKOOTHI
MAZHA PEYYUNNU MADDALAM KOTTUNNU
THALAVATTOM
CHITRAM
VANDANAM
AARYAN
KILUKKAM
ADWAITHAM
ABHIMANYU
MINNARAM
THENMAVIN KOMBATHU
KAALAPANI &
KILICHUNDAN MAMBAZHAM.
SATHYAN ANTHIKAUD - Perhaps the most accepted of Malayalam cine directors. His movies appeal to the masses irrespective of any demographic classifications. One of the best directors who has portrayed the life and problems of the common man in Kerala, with touches of humour. None has captured the beauty and tranquillity of Kerala villages better than him, and his themes are also unique and family oriented. His favourite heroes are MohanLal and Jayaram. His finest movies include
KALIYIL ALPAM KAARYAM
TP BALAGOPALAN MA
SANMANASSULLAVARKKU SAMADHANAM
NADODIKKATTU
GANDHI NAGAR 2nd STREET
VARAVELPPU
PINGAMI
VEENDUM CHILA VEETTU KARYANGAL
YATHRAKKARUDE SRADHAKKU
MANASSINAKKARE
PADMARAJAN – The classic filmmaker of Malayalam. He was an expert in handling complex themes, and each of his movies handled entirely different issues. He was also a brilliant scriptwriter. His unfortunate demise in 1991 was a great loss to Malayalam cinema. Most popular of his films –
THOOVANATHUMBIKAL
NAMUKKU PARKKAN MUNTHIRI THOPPUKAL
MOONNAM PAKKAM
KARIYILA KAATTU POLE
INNALE
NJAN GANDHARVAN
FAZIL – Fazil can be called the ‘romantic trendsetter’ of Malayalam. Right from his very first movie MANJIL VIRINJA POOKKAL” to “ANIYATHIPRAVU” he has crafted a number of beautiful love stories. Many of them have been trendsetters in their respective periods and are remembered dearly by two generations over the years. Another of his greatest contribution to the film industry is MohanLal, whom he introduced in MANJIL VIRINJA POOKKAL as the villain. He also introduced Shalini(both as the child artist and the heroine), Nadia Moidu and a few others. His MANICHITRATHAZHU is a classic. ENTE MAMATTIKKUTTI AMMAKKU, NOKKETHA DOORATHU KANNUM NATTU, ENNENNUM KANNETTANTE, HARIKRISHNANS, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL etc are some other of his remarkable movies.
I V SASI – He was the most successful director of the eighties. Most of his films during that period were multi-star big budget projects, which created wonders at the box office. His movie TUSHARAM can be accepted as the first spectacular film in Malayalam. It’s Sasi who has made the most number of films featuring both the big guns MohanLal and Mammootty. In fact he is one who has directed the most number of movies in the world! He has directed some evergreen entertainers. I V Sasi films can be found in almost any category, like action, family drama, political, epic etc. His actress-wife Seema got some of the most powerful characters in Malayalam big screen, in movies directed by him. I V Sasi is at his best with the scripts of T Damodaran and M T Vasudevan Nair. After the magnum opus DEVASURAM and VARNAPPAKITTU which followed it, he has not been able to live up to his reputation. Too much of his movies to recommend; I’m mentioning only a few.
ANGADI, ATHIRATRAM, ANUBANDHAM, ADIMAKAL UDAMAKAL, ADIYOZHUKKUKAL, IDANILANGAL, KARIMBIN POOVINAKKARE, ANURAGI, 1921, ARHATHA…… and of course, DEVASURAM.
There are many other directors I would like to put in the picture –
VENU NAGAVALLI
BHARATHAN
JOSHI
K MADHU
SIBI MALAYIL
SIDDIQ - LAL
Most promising debuts - BLESSY(Kaazcha)
ROSSHAN ANDREWS(Udayanaanu Thaaram)
RENJI PANICKER(Bharat Chandran IPS)