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Kunithala Ranjith (born 1964), often credited simply as Ranjith, is an Indian screen writer, director, and producer who has worked in Malayalam cinema.

In his career spanning over two decades, he has scripted several high-grossing films including Devaasuram (1993), Aaraam Thampuran (1997), Summer in Bethlehem (1998), and Narashimham (2000). In the year 2001, Ranjith made his directorial debut with Ravanaprabhu, a sequel to Devaasuram. His films have attained critical acclaim as well, with films such as Nandanam (2002), Kaiyoppu (2007), Thirakkatha (2008), Paleri Manikyam (2009), and Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010). He produced the anthology film Kerala Cafe (2009), consisting of ten short films by ten filmmakers.

He won the 2008 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam for Thirakkatha.

Childhood and entry into cinema

Ranjith was born in 1964 to Puthanpurayil M. Balakrishnan Nair and Pathmavathi Amma. Born in Kozhikode, Kerala, Ranjith was artistically inclined even during his school days. It was his opposition to conventional college education that landed him at Thrissur School of Drama. Here, he bonded with a group of artistic talents that included Alex Kadavil, at whose house in Thiruvanthapuram Ranjith stayed for a while after his education. During the late eighties, Ranjith tried his hand at skits and television serials for Doordarshan. Later, he associated himself with the making of Oru Maymaasa Pulariyil, which marked his entry into Malayalam cinema. In the year 1988, Ranjith made his formal entry into the film world by writing the story for Orkkapurath, a fun-adventure film directed by Kamal with Mohanlal in the lead. The immediate success of Orkkapurath brought Ranjith several chances to work in films. In the late eighties and early nineties, Ranjith wrote scripts for several small budget films mainly for Kamal, including Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989), Pradeshika Varthakal (1989), and Pookalam Varavai (1991). Another director with whom Ranjith joined hands in those days was Viji Thampi. This team brought out Witness (1988), Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan (1990), Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkkam (1989), and Kalalpada (1990), all with Jayaram in the lead role. Another simultaneous work of his was Pavakoothu (1990) for Srikuttan, with Jayaram as hero. Despite having a series of subsequent films in his hands, and most being average hits, Ranjith could not establish himself as a successful writer. In the year 1992, he wrote Neelagiri for I. V. Sasi, which bombed at the box office, but his Johnny Walker, directed by Jayaraj, went on to create an impact at the box office.

From 1993 to 2000

The year 1993 was a huge turning point in Ranjith's career. Devasuram, his film based on the life of Mullassery Rajagopal, a father-like figure to him, turned into a huge hit at the box office. With Mohanlal in the lead and directed by I. V. Sasi, Devasuram was both critically and commercially a very big success. Mohanlal's performance was highly appreciated and it opened a new genre of feudal stories in Malayalam cinema. Within two months of the release of Devasuram, his next movie, Maya Mayuram (directed by Sibi Malayil and starring Mohanlal) was released, but it did not meet its anticipated success. According to Ranjith, Maya Mayuram is one of his best films and its failure affected him greatly. Ranjith mentioned in an interview that when several directors, whom he approached with the script, showed no interest in Maya Mayuram, it was Mohanlal who convinced Sibi Malayil to take it up. Yadavam, his next film in 1993 (directed by Jomon and starring Suresh Gopi) was another hit at the box office. In the year 1994, Ranjith joined hands with Shaji Kailas for Rudraksham, again starring Suresh Gopi, who was at the peak of his career. This film generated significant hype in the market as Shaji Kailas- Suresh Gopi was a hot selling team at the time. But the loose script and clichéd punchless dialogues led to Rudraksham becoming a flop. His next piece of work, Rajaputhran, directed by Shajun Karyal, again with Suresh Gopi in the lead, also turned into a big hit. In the year 1997, he teamed again with Shaji Kailas for Asuravamsham, starring Manoj K Jayan and Biju Menon. This film yielded an average commercial response. But he was just biding his time. Towards the end of 1997, Ranjith penned Aaram Thamburan, one of the blockbuster hits of his career. Directed by Shaji Kailas, this film broke several collection records and went on to become a financially and critically acclaimed hit. This film was also a turning point in the career of Mohanlal. With this film, Ranjith gained a reputation as a commercially viable scriptwriter. Then came Kaikudanna Nilavu, in 1998, directed by Kamal, starring Jayaram, yet another average hit. In 1998 Ranjith scripted Summer in Bethlehem, directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Suresh Gopi and Jayaram, a super hit. In 1999, Ranjith and Shaji Kailas produced the film Usthad, directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Mohanlal. This film was written by Ranjith and became another huge hit, breaking collection records.

2000 to 2010

The year 2000 began with the release of Narashimham, directed by Shaji Kailas. With Mohanlal playing the lead role, this film became one of the biggest hits ever in the history of Malayalam cinema till then. Yet again in 2000, together with Shaji Kailas, Ranjith repeated history. His Onam release Valliettan starring Mammooty became one of the biggest hits of the year. With this film, Ranjith became the most successful scriptwriter of the time.

In 2001, Ranjith made his directorial debut with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devasuram. With Mohanlal appearing in dual roles as father and son, this film turned out to be a tremendous success. In the year 2002, Ranjith came back with another blockbuster, Nandanam, starring a new face, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Ranjith produced this film along with his friend and actor Siddique. Nandanam, revolving around an innocent girl, her love for Lord Sri Krishna and her lover boy, was an entirely different and unexpected theme from Ranjith at that time. Despite the film having no big stars, fights or punch dialogues, it became a huge hit. In the year 2003, Ranjith directed Mizhi Randilum starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan, another family drama, which failed to impress the masses, but was critically acclaimed. In the same year Ranjith scripted Ammakilikood, directed by Padmakumar, with Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead, which also got the cold shoulder from the public. In 2004, Ranjith teamed up with Mammooty for Black, which was a complete commercial entertainer targeting the fans of Mammootty, but received just a mildly favorable response. Then came Chandrolsavam, starring Mohanlal in 2005. Even though this film was aesthetically and critically appreciated, it failed to endear to even the fans of Mohanlal. In 2006, he scripted and directed Prajapathi, starring Mammootty, which was another disastrous movie.

Ranjith made a comeback in 2007 with Kaiyoppu, an offbeat film. Kaiyoppu brought appreciation from far corners and that compelled Ranjith to work with plots and themes without any commercial ingredients. In 2007, he wrote a script for Joshi for the first time. Their first venture, Nasrani, didn't generate much response and became a flop. Ranjith's next venture, Rock & Roll, starring Mohanlal, was unable to attract critics and was yet another flop. In the year 2008, Ranjith stunned Kerala with his film Thirakkatha, which won the National Award for the Best Malayalam Feature Film. Starring Anoop Menon and Priyamani in the lead, the movie featured Prithviraj and Samvrutha Sunil in important supporting roles. The movie was able to bring out the best in the actors. Despite the film being only an above-average grosser at the box office, the movie garnered many awards. In 2009, Ranjith directed and wrote the script for Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha, which was widely acclaimed critically. Mammootty's performance was widely appreciated in this film. In the same year he came up with another unique creation, Kerala Cafe — a fusion of ten different short films by ten directors. Ranjith helmed this venture, which proved to be an experimental breakthrough in the Malayalam film industry. The different segments in the movie were conceived and connected based on the concept of Yatra or journey.

In the year 2010, Ranjith wrote the story for the film Penpattanam, directed by V. M. Vinu. His latest film, Pranchiyettan and the Saint, starring Mammooty, was also widely accepted by movie buffs and the common people of Kerala. Critics, who have always been judgmental towards his feudal-themed movies, have praised Ranjith's new ventures.

Filmography

Awards

National Film Awards:

• 2008 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - Thirakkatha

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 2010 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Film - Paleri Manikyam
• 2001 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value - Ravanaprabhu

Other Awards:

• 2010 - Vanitha-Nippon Filmfare Awards for Best Director for Paleri Manikyam : Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha
• 2010 - Mathrubhumi Amrita TV Film Awards for Best Director for Paleri Manikyam : Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha
• 2009 - Asianet Film Awards for Best Director for Paleri Manikyam : Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha
• 2008 - Idea-Mathrubhumi-Amrita Film Award for Best Film Thirakkatha, Best Director
• 2008 - Padmarajan Award for Thirakkatha
• 2005 - Bharathan Memorial Award, instituted by the Kerala Film Audience Council
• 2003 - Asianet Film Awards for Best Script Writer for Mizhi Randilum
• 2003 - Ramu Kariat Award instituted by Arya-Thrissivaperoor for Nandanam
• 2002 - Asianet Film Awards for Best Film for Nandanam

References

1. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1066396/
2. http://cinidiary.com/peopleinfo.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=1&no_of_displayed_rows=2&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter=R

External links

• Ranjith at IMDb
• 'Cinema of Malayalam' profile
• Keralacafe website
• Keralacafe blog

Template:Persondata

• 1964 births
• Malayalam film directors
• Living people
• Kerala State Film Award winners
• People from Kozhikode
• Malayalam screenwriters