A. K. Lohithadas

Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (5 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam Film Industry.[1] Known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest screenwriters of Malayalam Cinema of all time.[2] In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, 6 Kerala State Film Awards, and 14 Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.[3]

A. K. Lohithadas
Born
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas

(1955-05-05)5 May 1955
Chalakkudy, Thiru-Kochi (now Kerala), India
Died28 June 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 54)
Kochi, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesLohi
Occupation
  • Screenwriter
  • Playwright
  • Director
  • Producer
Years active1986–2009
Spouse(s)Sindhu (1987–2009)
ChildrenHarikrishnan, Vijayshankar

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 other films such as Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000), and Kasthooriman (2003).[5] He died on 29 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 Kerala. He showed an initial interest in writing short stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theatre in 1986

Career

Fresh with the play's commercial and critical success, Lohithadas was introduced to K. G. George by actor Thilakan. It did not help Lohithadas to start a career in Malayalam cinema. But it was K. G. George who gave the basic core idea of the story, later which was developed by Lohithadas to make the film Kireedam. Later, Thilakan introduced Lohithadas to director Sibi Malayil when Sibi was searching for a good writer for his films. Thus Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil" was moderate success. Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several memorable 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), 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. When he went to Germany for a film festival for screening his first directorial venture Bhoothakkannadi, one of the German filmmakers asked him by seeing this movie whether he is a Psychologist or not. That film was a real and exact depiction of human psychology.

Thilakan has always been proud of Lohithadas who was introduced to Malayalam film industry by him. Lohithadas went on to become one of the most prominent classic screenwriters that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. "Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.

Death

In the morning of 27 June 2009, he experienced chest pains and uneasiness at his home at Aluva near Ernakulam and was immediately taken to the Lisy Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam, where he was declared dead from a heart attack at 10:50.[8][9]

Awards
Lohithadas along with director Bharathan and cinematographer Ramachandra Babu at the location of Venkalam.

National Film Awards:

Kerala State Film Awards:

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

Other awards
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Dasharatham (1989)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Kireedam (1989)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Bharatham (1991)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Chenkol (1993)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Chakoram (1994)
  • Film Critics award for Best script – Sallapam (1995)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Thooval Kottaram (1996)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Ormacheppu (1998)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Joker (1999)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (2000)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Kasthooriman (2003)
  • Film Critics award for Best script- Nivedyam (2007)
  • Film Critics award for Best Director- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
  • Film Critics award for Best Director- Joker (1999)
  • Film Critics award for Best Director- Kasthoorimann (2003)
  • Film Critics award for Best Director- Nivedyam (2007),
  • Asianet Film Award
  • 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal

Filmography

Screenwriter
YearTitleDirector
2007NivedyamSelf
2006Chakkara MuthuSelf
2005Kasthuri Maan (Tamil)Self
2003ChakramSelf
2003KasthoorimanSelf
2001SoothradharanSelf
2000Arayannangalude VeeduSelf
2000JokerSelf
1999Veendum Chila VeettukaryangalSathyan Anthikkad
1998OrmacheppuSelf
1998KanmadamSelf
1997KarunyamSelf
1997BhoothakannadiSelf
1996SallapamSundardas
1996Thooval KottaramSathyan Anthikkad
1996UdhyanapalakanHarikumar
1995SaadaramJose Thomas
1994ChakoramVenu
1994Sagaram SakshiSibi Malayil
1993ChenkolSibi Malayil
1993PadheyamBharathan
1993VatsalyamCochin Haneefa
1993VenkalamBharathan
1992KamaladalamSibi Malayil
1992ValayamSibi Malayil
1992KauravarJoshi
1992AadharamGeorge Kithu
1991DhanamSibi Malayil
1991AmaramBharathan
1991BharathamSibi Malayil
1991KanalkkattuSathyan Anthikkad
1990His Highness AbdullahSibi Malayil
1990SasnehamSathyan Anthikkad
1990KuttettanJoshi
1990Radha MadhavamSuresh Unnithan
1990MaalayogamSibi Malayil
1989Mrigaya I. V. Sasi
1989MahayanamJoshi
1989MudraSibi Malayil
1989JaathakamSuresh Unnithan
1989DasharathamSibi Malayil
1989KireedamSibi Malayil
1988MukthiI. V. Sasi
1988KudumbapuranamSathyan Anthikkad
1988VicharanaSibi Malayil
1987EzhuthapurangalSibi Malayil
1987ThaniyavarthanamSibi Malayil

Director
YearTitle Cast
1997Bhoothakannadi Mammootty, Sreelakshmi
1997Karunyam Jayaram, Murali, Divya Unni
1998Ormacheppu Lal, Chanchal, Dileep
1998Kanmadam Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Lal
2000Arayannangalude Veedu Mammootty, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy
2000Joker Dileep, Manya, Nishanth Sagar
2001Soothradharan Dileep, Meera Jasmine, Bindu Panicker
2003Kasthoorimann Kunchacko Boban, Meera Jasmine
2003Chakram Prithviraj, Meera Jasmine, Chandra Lakshman
2005Kasthuri Maan (Tamil) Prasanna, Meera Jasmine
2006Chakkara Muthu Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Jishnu
2007Nivedyam Vinu Mohan, Bhama, Nedumudi Venu
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References
  1. "In the memory of Lohithadas". The Hindu. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. "Kazchavattom". goodreads.com. 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  3. "Lohithadas Awards". FilmiBeat. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. "A K Lohithadas (1955–2009): Tribute to a legend". Rediff.com. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  5. "A K Lohithadas (1955–2009): Tribute to a legend". Rediff Movies. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  6. "Kerala News : A.K. Lohithadas passes away". The Hindu. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  7. "Malayalam News | Editorial". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  8. "Writer-director Lohithadas passes away!". Sify.com. 28 June 2009. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  9. "Malayalam News". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
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