A. K. Lohithadas

Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry. In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, six Kerala State Film Awards, and fourteen Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.
Lohithadas made his debut as a screenwriter with Thaniyavarthanam. He has written screenplays for 35 films in a 24-year-long career, such as Ezhuthapurangal, Vicharana, Kireedam, Dasharatham, Mrugaya, His Highness Abdullah, Sasneham, Bharatham, Amaram, Aadhaaram, Kamaladalam, Vatsalyam, Venkalam, Padheyam, Chenkol, Chakoram, Thooval Kottaram, Sallapam, and Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal. He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi. He later wrote and directed Karunyam, Kanmadam, Joker,''Soothradharan and Kasthooriman''. He died on 28 June 2009 due to a heart attack.

Early life

Lohithadas was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of Lakshmi and Karunakaran of the Ambazhathuparambil house. He considered Chalakudy as his base for most of his writings and centered himself with his friends during his stays in his hometown.

Career

Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniyavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil". Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several Malayalam movies. His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam, Dasharatham, Kireedam, His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, Dhanam, Kamaladalam, and Chenkol. Other works include Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal, Sasneham for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram, Venkalam for Bharathan.
He later became a filmmaker and made works such as Bhoothakkannadi, Karunyam, Kanmadam, Arayannangalude Veedu, Joker,''Soothradharan Kasthooriman , and Nivedyam.
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.
"Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" is a book about his life and film career.

Death

On 28 June 2009, Lohithadas, 54, died of a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for a couple of years. His body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours. He is survived by his wife Sindhu and their two sons, Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.