Ranjith Ranjith Balakrishnan is a multifaceted Indian artist involved in various capacities in Malayalam cinema, serving as a film director, screenwriter, lyricist, producer, and actor. In 2001, he marked his directorial debut with "Ravanaprabhu," the sequel to the acclaimed "Devaasuram." Notably, his films "Thirakkatha" and "Indian Rupee" received the prestigious National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011, respectively. Currently, Ranjith holds the position of Chairman at the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Early Life and Formative YearsRanjith Balakrishnan, a luminary in the vibrant realm of Indian cinema, embarked on his journey on September 5, 1964, in the picturesque town of Balussery in the Kozhikode District of Kerala, India. The formative years of his life unfolded against the backdrop of Perambra, where the seeds of creativity and storytelling were sown, ultimately imprinting a profound influence on his cinematic endeavors. Educationally, Ranjith commenced his educational journey at Perambra Higher Secondary School. However, the currents of fate steered him towards the arts, leading him to the School of Drama and Fine Arts in Thrissur. This creative crucible became the refining ground where Ranjith honed his skills, culminating in his graduation in 1985 and laying the foundation for a prolific career in the film industry. A Fortuitous Entry into the Cinematic World (1987-1992)Ranjith's initiation into the Malayalam film industry, colloquially known as Mollywood, was serendipitous, driven by the encouragement of his friend, the late film producer and director Alex I. Kadavil. In 1987, Ranjith took his inaugural step into the cinematic world as a writer for "Oru Maymasa Pulariyil," a film produced by Kadavil and directed by V. R. Gopinath. The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed Ranjith scripting for several small-budget films, predominantly collaborating with director Kamal. Among these collaborations, scripts for films such as "Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal" (1989), "Pradeshika Varthakal" (1989), and "Pookkalam Varavayi" (1991) stand out, all featuring the acclaimed actor Mohanlal. A significant collaboration during this period was with director Viji Thampi, resulting in films such as "Witness" (1988), "Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan" (1990), "Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam" (1989), and "Kaalalpada" (1990). This partnership, often featuring Jayaram in the lead role, became a notable contributor to the Mollywood landscape. In 1992, Ranjith penned "Neelagiri" for I. V. Sasi, followed by "Johnnie Walker," directed by Jayaraj. The latter, known for its distinctive filmmaking style, emerged as a commercial success, marking a pivotal moment in Ranjith's early career. Breakthrough Years and Exploration of Themes (1993-2000)The pivotal year of 1993 marked a turning point in Ranjith's career with the release of "Devasuram," a film inspired by the life of his father-figure, Mullassery Rajagopal. Starring Mohanlal and directed by I. V. Sasi, "Devasuram" achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film is credited with introducing a new genre of feudal stories in Malayalam cinema and is often regarded as a milestone in Ranjith's filmography. Within two months of the release of "Devasuram," Ranjith presented "Maya Mayuram," directed by Sibi Malayil and featuring Mohanlal. Despite the film not attaining the same success as its predecessor, Ranjith considered "Maya Mayuram" among his best works, and its relative underperformance had a profound impact on him. Ranjith continued to explore diverse themes in the late 1990s, working on projects like "Rudraksham" (1994), "Aaraam Thampuran" (1997), and "Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu" (1997). His collaboration with Shaji Kailas in the film "Aaraam Thampuran" proved to be a significant milestone, gaining him recognition as a commercially viable scriptwriter. The year 2000 marked the release of "Narasimham," directed by Shaji Kailas, with Mohanlal in the lead role. The film achieved unprecedented success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films at the time. Simultaneously, Ranjith's script for "Valliettan," released during the Onam season, further solidified his stature as the most successful scriptwriter of the period. Directorial Debut and Further Exploration (2001-2009)In 2001, Ranjith ventured into the realm of film direction with "Ravanaprabhu," the sequel to "Devasuram." The film, featuring Mohanlal in dual roles as father and son, garnered immense success, establishing Ranjith as a director to reckon with. This directorial debut set the stage for a new phase in Ranjith's career, earning him accolades and the title of Man of the Year by Rashtra Deepika. The subsequent years saw Ranjith directing and scripting a series of films that showcased his versatility and storytelling prowess. "Nandanam" (2002) was another success, featuring a unique theme and a relatively unknown face, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Ranjith produced the film in collaboration with actor Siddique, and despite lacking major star power, "Nandanam" proved to be a hit. In 2003, Ranjith directed "Mizhi Randilum," a family drama starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan. Though the film received critical acclaim, it didn't match the commercial success of Ranjith's previous ventures. The same year, he scripted "Ammakilikood," directed by Padmakumar, and worked with Mammooty in the film "Black" (2004), a commercial entertainer targeting the star's fan base. Ranjith continued to experiment with his directorial ventures with films like "Prajapathi" (2006), "Kaiyoppu" (2007), and "Rock Roll" (2007). While "Prajapathi" faced criticism, "Kaiyoppu" received acclaim for its offbeat approach, and "Rock Roll" showcased Ranjith's ability to helm a musical-comedy. The year 2008 marked a significant milestone with the release of "Thirakkatha," a film based on actress Srividya's life. Starring Anoop Menon and Priyamani, the movie won the National Award for Best Malayalam Feature Film, solidifying Ranjith's reputation as a director with a keen eye for unique narratives. In 2009, Ranjith directed and wrote the script for "Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha," a critically acclaimed film that also served as a platform for introducing around thirty Malayalam stage artists. The same year, he contributed to the anthology film "Kerala Cafe," featuring ten different short films by various directors connected by the concept of Yatra, or journey. The Decade of Diversification (2010 Onwards)In 2001, Ranjith ventured into the realm of film direction with "Ravanaprabhu," the sequel to "Devasuram." The film, featuring Mohanlal in dual roles as father and son, garnered immense success, establishing Ranjith as a director to reckon with. This directorial debut set the stage for a new phase in Ranjith's career, earning him accolades and the title of Man of the Year by Rashtra Deepika. The subsequent years saw Ranjith directing and scripting a series of films that showcased his versatility and storytelling prowess. "Nandanam" (2002) was another success, featuring a unique theme and a relatively unknown face, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Ranjith produced the film in collaboration with actor Siddique, and despite lacking major star power, "Nandanam" proved to be a hit. In 2003, Ranjith directed "Mizhi Randilum," a family drama starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan. Though the film received critical acclaim, it didn't match the commercial success of Ranjith's previous ventures. The same year, he scripted "Ammakilikood," directed by Padmakumar, and worked with Mammooty in the film "Black" (2004), a commercial entertainer targeting the star's fan base. Ranjith continued to experiment with his directorial ventures with films like "Prajapathi" (2006), "Kaiyoppu" (2007), and "Rock Roll" (2007). While "Prajapathi" faced criticism, "Kaiyoppu" received acclaim for its offbeat approach, and "Rock Roll" showcased Ranjith's ability to helm a musical-comedy. The year 2008 marked a significant milestone with the release of "Thirakkatha," a film based on actress Srividya's life. Starring Anoop Menon and Priyamani, the movie won the National Award for Best Malayalam Feature Film, solidifying Ranjith's reputation as a director with a keen eye for unique narratives. In 2009, Ranjith directed and wrote the script for "Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha," a critically acclaimed film that also served as a platform for introducing around thirty Malayalam stage artists. The same year, he contributed to the anthology film "Kerala Cafe," featuring ten different short films by various directors connected by the concept of Yatra, or journey.  FilmographyRanjith's extensive filmography spans decades and showcases his versatility as a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. His collaborations with acclaimed actors, innovative storytelling, and exploration of diverse themes have left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema. Notable films in his filmography include "Devasuram," "Narasimham," "Thirakkatha," "Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha," "Pranchiyettan and the Saint," and "Indian Rupee." Awards and RecognitionsNational Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Awards
Asianet Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Other Awards
ConclusionRanjith Balakrishnan's cinematic journey is a testament to his artistic vision, storytelling prowess, and versatility. From his accidental entry into Mollywood to becoming a trailblazing director, screenwriter, and producer, Ranjith has significantly influenced the landscape of Malayalam cinema. His films, marked by nuanced storytelling, exploration of diverse themes, and collaborations with iconic actors, have left an indelible mark on the industry. Through his remarkable filmography and the myriad awards and accolades, Ranjith stands as a stalwart, shaping the trajectory of Indian cinema with his unparalleled creativity and dedication. Next TopicAnushka Patra |
We provides tutorials and interview questions of all technology like java tutorial, android, java frameworks
G-13, 2nd Floor, Sec-3, Noida, UP, 201301, India
Home
Python
Java
JavaScript
HTML
SQL
PHP
C#
C++
DS
Aptitude
Reasoning
Selenium
DBMS
C
Andriod
Interview Q
