Director AK Lohithadas Passes Away

Kochi: Noted Malayalam movie director A K Lohithadas passed away at Ernakulam Lissy Hospital at 11 am here on Sunday . According to sources, Lohitadas suffered a heart attack, which led to the sudden demise. Lohithadas was in Kochi to attend the general body meeting of AMMA, later admitted to hospital due to physical discomfort.His wife and children were in hospital at the time of his death. Hearing the news the meeting of AMMA has been called off and the movie artists rushed to the hospital.

Ambazhathail Karunakaran Lohithadas hailing from Chalakkudy is a prolific screenwriter and director who is known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays. He showed an initial interest was in short-stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theater in 1986 when his debut script was accepted for the stage by the legendary theater personality Thoppil Bhasi. Bhasi's CPI party backed drama troupe, the highly successful 'Kerala People's Arts Club', produced the play, leading to a state award for Lohithadas.

Fresh with the play's commercial and critical success, Lohithadas moved to Malayalam Cinema by writing for director Sibi Malayil. His first movie screenplay Thaniavarthanam was directed by Malayil and went on to be a success. The Sibi Malayil-Lohithadas combination would later produce several memorable Malayalam movies.

Lohithdas movies are well known for its deep and realistic characterization and are often grim depiction of contemporary Kerala life. In spite of its serious subjects, they have been highly successful in the state. His movies lay less emphasis on plot or commercial gimmicks and, instead, display a more character-oriented approach. He is a prolific writer, often writing nearly four screenplays a year. He turned director with his critically acclaimed 1997 film Bhoothakannadi (The Magnifying Glass).

Other than Bhoothakannadi he directed movies like Kanmadham, Ormacheppu, Arayannangalude Veedue, Chakram, Joker, Kasthooriman, Chakkaramuthu and Nivedhyam . He is the script writer of noted films like Thaniyavarthanam, Kireedom, Chenkol, Sallapam, Amaram, Thoovalkottaram, Ormacheppu, Joker, Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal, Bharatham, Dasaratham , Kamaladalam, Valsalyam, His Highness Abdullah,Vengalam, Valayam etc.

The film Bhoothakannadi won him the 45th National Film Award for Best film in 1997. Other awards inlcude Kerala State Film Award for Best Story - Thaniyavarthanam, 1987, Kerala State Film Award for Best Film - Bhoothakannadi (1997) , Tamil Nadu State Film Award for 2nd Best Film-Kasthooriman. He won fim crtics award many times for best script for films like, Thaniyavarthanam,Kireedom, Chenkol, Dasaratham ,Thoovalkottaram, Ormacheppu, Joker,Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal, Nivedhyam,Kasthooriman and got film critics award for best director award for films like Bhoothakannadi, Joker, Kasthooriman and Nivedhyam