Priyadarshan is an Indian film producer, director, and screenwriter who has worked in Malayalam and Hindi films. He has also worked in various Tamil and Telugu films. He was the first Indian director to introduce color grading, quality dubbing and clear dubbing in his Malayalam films. He is known for his comedy films like ‘Hera Pheri’ (2000), ‘Hungama’ (2003), and ‘Garam Masala’ (2005). He received the “Padma Shri” from the President of India in 2012 for his significant contribution to Indian Cinema.
Wiki/Biography
Priyadarshan aka Priyadarshan Soman Nair was born on Wednesday, 30 January 1957 (age 66 years; in 2023) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Aquarius.
Priyadarshan’s childhood photos
He attended Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. After that, he got his master’s degree in Philosophy at University College, Thiruvananthapuram. During his teenage years, he was an avid reader. In college, he wrote short plays and skits for All India Radio (AIR).
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5’8″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Poojappura Soman Nair, and his mother’s name is Rajamma Nair. His father worked as a librarian at Kerala University.
Wife & Children
Priyadarshan married Lissy in 1990 and has two children named Kalyani Priyadarshan and Siddharth Priyadarshan. He met his wife on the sets of his second Malayalam film. The couple has worked together in 12 films. His wife filed for divorce in 2014, and the couple divorced in 2016.
Priyadarshan and his ex-wife
Priyadarshan with his son and daughter
Career
Screenwriter
Priyadarshan started his career as a writer for the Malayalam film ‘Thiranottam’ in 1978.
Thiranottam movie poster
Malayalam
Some of the Malayalam language films whose scripts were written by Priyadarshan include
(1982), Engane Nee Marakkum (1983), Vanitha Police (1984), and Thenmavin Kompath (1994).
Tamil language
Priyadarshan has written Tamil-language films including Gopura Vasalile (1991), Snegithiye (2000), Kanchivaram (2008), Nimir (2018), and Sometimes (2018).
Telugu
He is the screenwriter of the Telugu language film Nirnayam in 1991.
Hindi
Priyadarshan made his writing debut with the Hindi language film Gardish in 1993. However, some other Hindi films written by him include Garam Masala (2005), Kyon Ki (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2006), and De Dana Dan (2009).
Garam Masala Bollywood movie poster
film director
Malayalam
Priyadarshan made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984). Later, he directed the Malayalam film Odaruthammava Aalariyam in the same year. He directed several other Malayalam films including Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya (1985), Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Dheem Tharikida Thom (1986), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), and Kilukkam (1991).
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi movie poster
Tamil language
Priyadarshan made his directorial debut in the Tamil film industry with the film Gopura Vasalile (1991). Later, he directed several other Tamil films including Snegithiye (2000), Lesa Lesa (2003), Nimir (2018), and Kadang-kadang (2018).
Movie poster of Tamil movie Gopura Vasalile
Telugu
Priyadarshan started his career as a director with the Telugu film Nirnayam in 1991. Later, he directed the Telugu film Gandeevam in 1994.
Hindi
Priyadarshan made his Bollywood debut as a director with the film Muskurahat in 1992. The film was a remake of his Malayalam film ‘Kilukkam.’ Some other Hindi language films he directed include Gardish (1993), Virasat (1997), Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998), Hera Pheri (2000), and Garam Masala (2005).
Muskurahat movie poster
Film producer
Priyadarshan produced the Tamil language comedy film ‘Poi Solla Porom’ in 2008.
Poi Solla Porom Tamil movie poster
Ads
Priyadarshan directed several ad films as well; some of his famous commercials are for Coca-Cola, American Express, Nokia, Parker Pens and Max New York Life Insurance.
Web Series
Director
In 2020, Priyadarshan directed a web series called ‘Forbidden Love’ which was streamed on ZEE5. In 2021, he directed a Tamil language web series called ‘Navarasa’ which is streaming on Netflix.
Creative director
In 1996, Priyadarshan served as the Creative Director of the Miss World Pageant, which was broadcast in approximately 151 countries. He also conducts interactive workshops for film students at various events such as Toronto Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival, Revathi Kala Mandir Film Institute, Kerala International Film Festival, and India-Goa International Film Festival. Additionally, Priyadarshan holds the position of Honorary Chairman of Janam TV channel, a popular Indian Entertainment and Cultural News Television channel in Kerala.
Author
Priyadarshan personally wrote the scripts for several of his films, including Kilukkam (1991), Kanchivaram (2008), and Thenmavin Kompath (1994), which were later published as books. One of these books, titled HitukaludeRajakumaran, explores the life and films of Priyadarshan, and it is published by DC Books. Another book, Ormakilukkam, contains Priyadarshan’s memoirs and shares interesting incidents from his real life and reels.
Ormakilukkam book
Other Work
The Government of Kerala, under the Ministry of Culture, appointed him as the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy from 2011 to 2014. The Government of Kerala selected him to serve as the Director of the International Film Festival of Kerala from 2011 to 2014. He was selected to be the Malayala Manorama newspaper’s columnist for cricket matches international held in Kerala. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Ceremonial Committee for the 35th National Games held in Kerala in 2015. From July 2014 to March 2019, he held the position of Director at ‘Rising Star,’ the world’s largest dedicated organization. to eradicate leprosy. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Jury of the 64th National Awards Center in 2016. Priyadarshan held the post of chairman in 2019 for the Feature Film Jury at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which is under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Controversy
Allegations of Plagiarism
Throughout his film career, Priyadarshan faced allegations of copying scripts and stories from various films. He is accused of getting inspiration from Hindi and Hollywood movies. Reports suggest that his Malayalam-language film ‘Thalavattam’ has similarities to the Oscar-winning film ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Similarly, ‘Vandanam’ appears to reflect the movie ‘Stakeout’ and ‘Kakkakuyil’ looks like the movie ‘A Fish Called Wanda.’ In the case of his Hindi film ‘Garam Masala,’ it was said to be inspired by ‘Boeing Boeing.’ Priyadarshan defended himself by claiming that almost 99% of films these days are copied and influenced by other works.
Criticized for his comments
On 28 May 2013, Priyadarshan received criticism for stating that the Malayalam film industry was in dire straits and had no minister to run it. He made this statement at the annual state film awards event, organized by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was also present on the occasion. After KB Ganesh Kumar resigned as the state’s cinema minister due to allegations of domestic violence made by his wife, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy took over the charge. During the event, Priyadarshan made a statement criticizing the way the chief minister was handling the cinema department. This angered Kerala government’s Chief Whip PC George, who suggested that Priyadarshan resign as chairman for disrespecting the chief minister. PC George expressed relief at not attending the meeting, claiming that Priyadarshan would have faced consequences if he had been there. In the speech, Priyadarshan mentioned that the film industry would appreciate the presence of a minister like Ganesh or someone similar appointed by the chief minister. These comments upset politicians, including K. Muraleedharan, who stated that the decision on ministerial appointments lies with the Congress-led United Democratic Front, not Priyadarshan.
Case Filed for Copyright Infringement
A film producer named Machindra Chate filed a case against Priyadarshan for copyright infringement. A local court granted bail for his arrest. He was accused of copying other people’s work without permission. The court said he must get proper permission from another court before April 20. Police have filed a case under sections 468, 406, 471, 420, 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 63 and 68 (a) of copyright action against Priyadarshan and seven others, including actor Suniel Shetty, based on a complaint by a film producer. Machindra Chat. He alleged that Priyadarshan and others stole a part of his film ‘Bindhast’ and used it in the film ‘Bhagam Bhag’ without permission or rights.
Awards & Honors
Kerala State Film Awards
- 1994: Best film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value for the Malayalam film Thenmavin Kompath
- 1995: Award for Best Second film for the Malayalam film Kaalapaani
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
- 1991: Best Popular Film Award for Malayalam film Kilukkam
- 2016: Best Film Award for Malayalam film Oppam
- 2016: Best Director Award for Malayalam film Oppam
National Film Awards
- 2007: Best Feature Film Director for the Tamil film Kanchivaram
- 2007: Best Feature Film Director for the Tamil film Kanchivaram
- 2019: Best Feature Film Director for the epic historical action film Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
South Filmfare Awards
- 2009: Best Director Award for Tamil film Kanchivaram
Filmfare Awards
- 1997: Best Film Award (Critics) for the Hindi film Virasat
Public Award
- 2012: Awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian Cinema by the President of India
Other Awards
- 2008: Honorary Jury Special Award for contribution to Indian Cinema
- 2008: Special Jury Award for Tamil film Sometimes
- 2010: Jaihind Rajat Mudra Award
- 2016: Asiavision Award for Best Director for the Malayalam film Oppam
- 2019: Kishore Kumar Award by Government of Madhya Pradesh
- 2022: Honorary degree from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science
- 2013: Award of Excellence by Hindustan University, Chennai
Car Collection
Priyadarshan owns a green Fiat car.
Priyadarshan’s car
Facts/Trivia
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
