# Priyadarshan

Priyadarshan (born in 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked primarily Malayalam and Hindi cinema since 1982, directing over 90 films in multiple Indian languages, with notable works in Tamil and Telugu. He has received several accolades, including three National Film Awards, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2012.

## Career

Priyadarshan began his cinematic career in the early 1980s within Malayalam, directing films such as Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Thalavattam (1986), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Chithram (1988), Vandanam (1989), and Kilukkam (1991). In the 1990s, his work included films like Abhimanyu (1991), Mithunam (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Kaalapaani (1996), Chandralekha (1997), and Megham (1999).
In the 2000s, Priyadarshan transitioned to Bollywood and became known for his Hindi adaptations of Malayalam films. These include the drama films Gardish (1994) and Virasat (1997), and comedies such as Hera Pheri (2000), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Dhol (2007), De Dana Dan (2009), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2008).
In 2013, Priyadarshan announced that Rangrezz would be his last Hindi film for the time being, as he shifted his focus back to Malayalam cinema.

## Early life

Priyadarshan received his early education at the Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from University College Thiruvananthapuram. His father was a college librarian, which fostered his interest in books. He was an avid reader in his teens, and during college, he began writing short plays and skits for All India Radio. He was influenced by the films of director P. Venu. His friends during this time included Mohanlal, M. G. Sreekumar, Suresh Kumar, Sanal Kumar, Jagadish, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Ashok Kumar. Mohanlal entered the film industry, and his friends followed him to Chennai in search of opportunities. With Mohanlal's help, Priyadarshan worked as an assistant scriptwriter on a few films and began writing his own scripts, some of which became successful. Eventually, he returned to Kerala.
Priyadarshan originally wanted to become a cricketer, but an eye injury led him to filmmaking.

## Film career

Priyadarshan has worked for 40 years in Indian cinema as a director and screenwriter, directing over 95 films in 4 Indian languages, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu.

### 1984–1987

In 1984, Priyadarshan, along with friends Suresh Kumar and Sanal Kumar, decided to produce a film. Shankar secured finance from Thiruvenkadam. Mohanlal, by then a prominent actor, was selected as the parallel lead along with Shankar. Priyadarshan debuted as director with Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, which received critical acclaim. The slapstick comedy, made on a low budget, ran for 100 days in Kerala theatres. Priyadarshan continued with slapstick comedy in Odaruthammava Aalariyam and later made Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil and the Mammootty-Shankar family thriller Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya. He then made Punnaram Cholli Cholli, his first film without Mohanlal, followed by Boeing Boeing and Aram + Aram = Kinnaram. He was later criticised for Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil. Despite hit songs, the film flopped. However, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi and Dheem Tharikida Thom were successful. Priyadarshan gained recognition as a serious director with the successful family drama Thalavattam. His Tamil film Chinnamanikkuyile remained unreleased, while his work in Malayalam continued with Cheppu, which was a success.

### 1988–1998

1988 was a significant year in Priyadarshan's career. He directed Vellanakalude Nadu, scripted by Sreenivasan, starring Mohanlal. The film revolved around corruption, land mafia, and social issues, becoming one of the most recognisable films in Priyadarshan's career at that time. Then came Aryan, an action film based on the Mumbai underworld, scripted by T. Damodaran, which ran for 150 days in theatres. Chithram, Priyadarshan's biggest hit, was also released in 1988. Chithram ran for 366 days in theatres and set collection records, later broken by his own film, Kilukkam in 1991. Oru Muthassi Katha and Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu completed his 5 releases of 1988. However, he did not have hits in 1990 with Kadathanadan Ambadi and Akkare Akkare Akkare. In 1991, Priyadarshan released Kilukkam with Mohanlal, Jagathi Sreekumar and Revathi. Kilukkam broke collection records and is considered one of the best films from the Priyadarshan-Mohanlal team. His next three films, Abhimanyu (1991), Advaitham (1992), and Thenmavin Kombathu (1994) ran for 100 days in theatres. Both Midhunam (1993) and Minnaram (1994) were able to make response in cinemas. Priyadarshan was invited by Shri. M. Karunanidhi to direct a film for his son's production house, resulting in his Tamil debut with Gopura Vasalile. In 1991, he also made a Telugu film film, Nirnayam when Nagarjuna approached him to remake his Malayalam film Vandanam in Telugu. In 1992, Priyadarshan debuted in Bollywood with Muskurahat, a remake of his own Malayalam film Kilukkam, which flopped.
In 1993, he made a comeback in Hindi with Gardish, an adaptation of the Malayalam film Kireedom, written by A. K. Lohithadas. In 1994, Priyadarshan directed his second and last Telugu film to date, Gandeevam, starring Balakrishna. He directed the Miss World 1996 event in Bangalore, gaining national recognition. In 1996, Priyadarshan released Kalapani, an epic period film about the Indian independence struggle, scripted by T. Damodaran, starring Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu and Amrish Puri with music by Ilaiyaraja. Kalapani helped advance his career. Originally filmed in Malayalam, it was dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi simultaneously. Kalapani earned him several awards. In 1997, Priyadarshan directed two successful films, Chandralekha in Malayalam and Virasat, a Hindi adaptation of Bharathan's's Tamil film Thevar Magan. In 1998, Priyadarshan directed three films: Saat Rang Ke Sapne, a remake of his own Thenmavin Kombathu, and Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, with a story adapted from Fazil's Aniyathi Pravu and Kabhi na Kabhi; all three failed at the box office. Priyadarshan collaborated with Mammooty in 1999 for Megham after a long gap.

### 2000–2016

In 2000, Hera Pheri was released in Hindi. Hera Pheri, an adaptation of the Malayalam film Ramjirao Speaking (1989), was a box-office hit. Starring Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Tabu and Paresh Rawal, the film is considered a landmark in Hindi cinema and established the Priyadarshan-Akshay Kumar team. After Hera Pheri, Paresh Rawal became a regular in Priyadarshan's films. This was followed by a series of Hindi films including Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, and Kyon Ki. In 2000, Priyadarshan directed the Malayalam-Tamil bilingual Raakilipattu (Snegithiye in Tamil) starring Tabu and Jyothika, with a story adapted from the Marathi film Bindhaast. The experimental film with an all-female cast received critical acclaim. The Malayalam and dubbed Hindi version, Friendship, was released 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 planned for filming in 2001, but was shelved. During this time, Kamal Haasan was working on Anbe Sivam and approached Priyadarshan to direct it. Pre-production commenced; but Priyadarshan left the project due to creative differences.; Sundar C. was then brought in to direct the film.
Priyadarshan made the comedy film Kakkakuyil in 2001, reuniting Mohanlal and Mukesh, which was successful in the 1980s and 1990s. The film was a box-office hit. His other two Malayalam films, Kilichundan Mampazham and Vettam released in 2003 and 2004, had an average run at the box office, leading him to focus on Bollywood. In Hindi, Priyadarshan continued his success with Chup Chup Ke, Bhagam Bhag, Malamaal Weekly, Dhol, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, De Dana Dan and Mere Baap Pehle Aap. However, subsequent films Billu, Bumm Bumm Bole, Khatta Meeta, Aakrosh and Tezz did not meet expectations. In 2013, Rangrezz also failed at the box office.
Priyadarshan released Kanchivaram, a film about weavers in Kanchipuram. Prakash Raj won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2008 for his performance. Kanchivaram also won awards at film festivals.
Priyadarshan returned to Malayalam films with Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomikkadha, starring Mohanlal. The 2013 film Geethaanjali starring Mohanlal as Dr. Sunny Joseph, and the 2014 film Aamayum Muyalum did not perform well at the box office.
In late 2015, Priyadarshan announced a crime thriller in Malayalam with Mohanlal. The production was confirmed, and the title Oppam was announced in December 2015. The director began working on the film, delaying another big-budget film starring Mohanlal due to weather in Russia. The screenplay and dialogues, written by Priyadarshan based on a story by Govind Vijayan, received positive reviews and became a blockbuster, breaking records and becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year within 16 days of release.

### 2018–present

In early 2018, he began pre-production on Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, a Malayalam language historical period film set in the 16th century. The film, starring Mohanlal, is based on the battle exploits of Kunjali Marakkar IV—the naval chieftain of the Zamorin of Calicut who organised the first naval defense of the Indian coast by safeguarding Calicut from Portuguese invasion for almost a century. Released on 2 December 2021, it received mixed reviews and failed at the box office. Before the release of Marakkar,, a spiritual sequel to his 2003 Hindi film Hungama, titled Hungama 2 was released directly on 23 July 2021 on Disney+ Hotstar and received negative reviews. The film was loosely based on Priyadarshan's 1994 Malayalam film Minnaram.
In 2023, he produced and directed Corona Papers,, a Malayalam film starring Shane Nigam. The film, an official remake of the Tamil film 8 Thottakkal (inspired by Akira Kurosawa's 1949 Stray Dog), was released on 6 April 2023 to positive reviews, and had a moderate performance in the box office. In the same year, he directed the Tamil film Appatha starring Urvashi in the lead role, released directly on 29 July 2023 on JioCinema.

## Other work

Priyadarshan has also directed numerous advertisement films for brands such as Coca-Cola, American Express, Nokia, Parker Pens, Asian Paints, Kinley, and Max New York Life Insurance.

## Frequent collaborators

Priyadarshan has frequently collaborated with actors such as Mohanlal, Mammootty, 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, Mukesh, Nandhu, Jagadeesh, C.I. Paul, Vineeth, Ganesh Kumar, and Mamukoya.
His Hindi collaborations 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.

## Personal life

He married actress Lissy on 13 December 1990. They have two children, actress Kalyani and Sidharth. The couple divorced on 1 September 2016, after 26 years of marriage.

## Awards and honours

Priyadarshan has received awards from the State and Central government. He has won the National Award three times. His film Kanchivaram was named Best Feature Film at the 2007 National Film Awards. For Kanchivaram, he also received a National Award as the producer of the best feature film. He made Kaalapani, a period epic in Malayalam, about freedom fighters in jail at Andaman and Nicobar Islands,; starring Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu and Amrish Puri. It received four National Film Awards, including awards for Santosh Sivan (cinematography) and Sabu Cyril (art direction). The film was dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. For Arabikadalinte Simham he received the National Award for Best Director.

### Civilian Awards

* 2012 – Padma Shri

### National Film Awards

* 2007 – Director of the Best Feature Film – Kanchivaram (Golden Lotus)
* 2007 – Director of the Best Feature Film – Kanchivaram (Golden Lotus)
* 2019 – National Film Award for Best Director – Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Golden Lotus)
* 2019 – Director of the Best Feature Film – Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Golden Lotus)

### 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

### Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

* 1991 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Popular Film – Kilukkam
* 2016 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film – Oppam
* 2016 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director – Oppam

### Filmfare Awards South

* 2009 – Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil – Kanchivaram

### FilmFare Awards

* 1997 – Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics) – Virasat

### 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
* 2016 – Asiavision Award for Best Director – Oppam
* 2019 – Kishore Kumar Award by the Government of Madhya Pradesh
* 2022 – Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science.
* 'Excellence Award', by Hindustan University, Chennai – 2013

### Kerala Government Appointments 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.

### 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.
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)