10 of the Best Screenplays Written by Sreenivasan That Defined Malayalam Cinema

Sreenivasan – The real GOAT of Mollywood

Sreenivasan – What to say. In one word – Legend. The real GOAT of Mollywood. During childhood, because of our ignorance, most of us know him only as an actor. We never explored his brilliance as a writer. He picked simple stories of people around us and made them relatable stories, which were way ahead of times, and most of them are still relevant even after 30 years of making. Sreenivasan had a unique quality to sugar-coat arrows with a pinch of humour and shot it aimless. But he is aware, it hits the right target. That’s what we call brilliant writing, and not every writer is lucky enough to have this quality.

I have already added one post of Sreenivasan as a fan tribute, listing his screenplays remade to Hindi. I prepared the list in hope that more people across the country will know about him. You can read it here. I really wonder, why this legendary artist has never been honoured with Padma awards and I really hope, someone will definitely nominate him so that he will be honoured posthumously. Honestly saying, for the kind of contributions Sreenivasan gave to Malayalam & Indian cinema, he should have been honoured much earlier.

Either central government honour him or not, it less matters when three generation of Malayalam audience have celebrated his works, both as an actor and a screenwriter and a seasonal director, and loved him fondly. In the life of a Malayali, it’s hard to imagine a single day passing without encountering a dialogue written by Sreenivasan — spoken, heard, or remembered. Such a day seldom passes, even in many years to come.

He is one among the great artists who redefined Malayalam cinema in the 1980s, belonging to new generation, new blood that time. It was a time when Malayalam cinema got reset with new content and new artists. It’s not easy to get appreciation from all corners, all age groups and people belonging to different tastes. Only a few artists who redefined Malayalam cinema have achieved that feat. Even after criticising this person, you will love him, and will appreciate his work. That’s how he made relatable stories, so grounded and so realistic.  Sreenivasan has gone, but his works always remind us of the glorious era of Malayalam cinema.

Sreeni – An accidental screenwriter

Odaruthammava Aalariyam was Sreenivasan’s maiden script as a screenwriter, and Priyadarshan became instrumental in making him a screenwriter. It was during those struggling days of Sreenivasan, when he approached the director to get a role in his upcoming film (only his second film as a director after the super success of Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, released earlier that year). Priyadarshan was willing to give him a role, but on one condition, “You should write the script”.

With no options left, Sreenivasan wrote the script of the film, based on the story written by Priyan, and the rest, as everyone say, is history! The comedy film was a huge hit, which marked the beginning of the illustrious journey of Sreenivasan as Malayalam’s one of the greatest screenwriters. He, along with Mukesh and Jagadish played the role of three boys who tries to woo a womanizer’s daughter, those pivot roles played by Nedumudi Venu and Lizy respectively. Also read: When Priyadarshan Met Sreenivasan: 10 Films That Became Malayalam Classics

How many movies has he contributed to Malayalis later. It will not be an exaggerated statement if I say, Sathyan Anthikad – Sreenivasan redefined good feel films and family dramas in Malayalam cinema, with fresh ideas and working with an ensemble cast. Through his scenes, he evoked and stirred human emotions,  through underlying and not spoon-feeding. How many immortal characters he created through his pen – Keeleri Achu in Kankettu, Dasan and Vijayan in Nadodikattu (also Pavanayi), Sagar Kottappuram in Ayal Kadhayezhuthukayaanu, Thalathil Dineshan in Vadakkunokki Yanthram, Rajappan Thengummoodu and Superstar Saroj Kumar in Udayanaanu Tharam and many more. 

Here I list 10 of the best screenplays written by Sreenivasan. I am not sure, if I can do full justice to this post, because I watched most of his films in childhood and it’s not an easy task to pick each script from memory. Yet it’s my earnest attempt.

10 of the best Malayalam screenplays written by Sreenivasan

Sandesham (1991) – directed by Sathyan Anthikkad

Let me begin the list with the most celebrated script of the legend – Sandesham, Kerala’s best political satire. Generation passes one after the another, yet the memes and trolls of Sandesham fill the timeline of every social media site of Malayalis during election campaign. Even after 3.5 decades of making, if a movie is still popular and relevant with current political scenario, it’s a script way ahead of times. We, Malayalis are blessed with some of the best movies of Sathyan Anthikad – Sreenivasan combo, and Sandesham made in 1991 tops the list.

Each and every funny dialogue is a part of meme culture. During election campaigns, both parties selectively pick lines and deploy them as political weapons to pit one side against the other. But in reality, Sreenivasan is trolling the Communist Party. Once a follower of this party, he witnessed its changing colours and ideologies and keeping these things in mind, he wrote this script as a political satire. He left the party too. This script came out in 1991, when USSR split into Russia and many other nations.

Sreenivasan himself played the lead role of the elder brother Prabhakaran Kottappalli in the film, while Jayaram played his younger brother Prakashan Kottappalli, and the brothers belong to two opposite political parties of Kerala. Thilakan played the pivot role of Raghavan Nair, their father in the film. Each and every scene should be celebrated. Whether it’s cameo role of Innocent or Shankarady’s assessment on how their party lost elections, each scene owns a separate fan base. ‘Nariyal’ scene is so hilarious!

Nadodikkattu (Triology) – directed by Sathyan Anthikkad & Priyadarshan

Nadodikkattu Triology consists of Nadodikattu – 1987, Pattana Pravashem – 1988 & Akkare Akkare Akkare – 1990. Definitely the first part, which is a part of popular meme culture stands out. But still, I equally loved the sequels in my childhood and it will be total injustice, if I avoid them. After all it’s not easy to make sequels and make them popular. And if Sreenivasan achieved it, it’s his brilliance.

Through his script, Sreenivasan gave us Jai and Veeru (Sholay reference) through the iconic characters, Dasan and Vijayan, and after the success of this combo, Mohanlal and Sreenivasan did numerous movies together and made us laugh. First two parts were directed by Sathyan Anthikkad, and the third part by Priyadarshan.

Vadakkunokkiyantram (1988) – directed by himself

The movie marked the directorial debut of Sreenivasan. He wrote the script, directed and also played the lead role, which is not an easy task at all. Yet he gifted Malayalis with one of the best films of 1980s. Through the character, Thalathil Dineshan he portrayed an insecure husband who fears, he will lose his beautiful wife. His inferiority complex of being shorter than wife and dark complexion were portrayed with humour. 

Though Thalathil Dineshan made us laugh, he made us think too, because it’s not a fictional character but a relatable one. Sreenivasan created this character taking inspirations from a real liife character during his early Chennai days, who took his wife to the city soon after marriage. As he thought, people won’t believe him fully, he tonned him down adding fictional elements.

In the final scene to everyone’s surprise, his character with Othello syndrome comes out visible, and it gives space to audience to imagine, what can occur next. For me, the unexpected climax is the best scene of the film, as Sreenivasan chose a realistic path to conclude, perhaps first of this kind in world cinema. He could have easily created a ‘happy ending’, but he didn’t, because he knew, it’s a mental condition needed to be addressed urgent.

He dared to explore a subject on mental health a time when even silly mental issues, depression and stress were considered as madness by the society. But today, times have changed. People are giving importance to self love and mental health, and it proves he was a visionary screenwriter, way ahead of times.

Parvathy played his wife in this film and the movie won three Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Film. It was remade in many languages including Hindi. Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005) starred Rajpal Yadav in lead role and the movie was directed by Chandan Arora. The way Yadav played an insecure husband on screen was a far cry from all the comic roles he played on screen till then. After that, he started doing more serious roles.

Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) – directed by Sathyan Anthikkad

Thilakan’s “Charles Shobharaj” dialogue, Mohanlal’s umbrella and Sreenivasan’s dance steps are not easy for Malayalis to forget. Fighting each other full time, Mohanlal & Karthika made an amazing screen on screen. Needless to say, they together presented a few nostalgic movies to Malayalis. One among the best works of Sathyan Anthikkad – Sreenivasan team, the movie still enjoys a cult classic status.

The movie is a satire take on a socially relevant subject – how to vacate tenants. Original story was written by Sathyan Anthikkad. Many of its dialogues written by Sreenivasan are still popular, and form a part of Kerala’s meme culture. He played the pivot character of Sub-Inspector K. Rajendran in the film, and the popular song, “Pavizhamalli Poothulanja” song was filmed on him and Karthika. It was one of the very rare occasions, where Sreenivasan played a romantic role on screen, and Malayali audience loved it.

In its Hindi remake of Priyadarshan – Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar, original lead roles played by Mohanlal and Karthika were reprised by Suniel Shetty and Mahima Chaudary respectively, while Priyadarshan’s all-time favourite actor Paresh Rawal reprised Sreenivasan’s role with a comic touch. It was one among Priyadarshan remakes, which failed at box office.

Midhunam (1993) – directed by Priyadarshan

This iconic & super hit film is based on a socially relevant topic on the difficulties faced by an entrepreneur with a start-up. This film often come into discussions in public platforms for the impressive performance of Urvashi, and also for how problematically her character was shown.

The movie starred Mohanlal in a lead role and Sreenivasan played his bestie and sidekick. (With all respect for the late screenwriter, whose each and every script is still socially relevant & praised for intellectual writing way ahead of times, I should say, Urvashi’s character was right, not Mohanlal’s. May this, this is the single script of entire career of Srinivasan with flaws.)

To add, Midhunam is one such movie, when I watched after years, made me rethink and realize that Urvashi is the greatest female artist of Malayalam cinema representing new generation. She deeply influenced me and left an impact with her natural acting. Over different discussion forums, I have seen same opinion and feel so happy that people are recognizing her real potential, though it’s late. Though I can’t fully accept the script written by Sreenivasan, I have a special liking for this film because of Urvashi, and I can never exclude this film from my list.

Thalayanamanthram (1990) – directed by Sathyan Anthikkad

Let me add Thalayanamanthram along with Midhunam, and carry forward the discussion of Urvashi. In one talk show when she was asked, who is the most handsome actor she worked with, without a second thought she took the name of Sreenivasan. Following his demise, she said, Sreenivasan gave her the career best roles. Thalayanamanthram is the best proof. Though Sreenivasan didn’t script Ponmuttayidunna Thaaavu, they worked together as the lead pair, directed by Sathyan Anthikad earlier.

It’s a known fact to Malayalis that her grey-shaded role as a pretentious and greedy wife Thalayanamanthram redefined her career, and took her to new heights. The movie also helped her to bag state award for best actress. Urvashi played Sreenivasan’s wife in the movie, and the real-life couple Jayaram and Parvathy also shared screen space with them for this family drama.

Vellanakalude Nadu (1988) – directed by Priyadarshan

Sreenivasan wrote the screenplay and story for this classic Malayalam satirical film, which is now a part of meme culture. The movie explored the themes of political corruption by local bureaucracy, which is still relevant in the society. Mohanlal and Shobana played lead roles, an Sreenivasan played Panchayath President Sivadasan.

Priyadarshan directed the movie in Hindi starring Trisha and Akshay Kumar in lead role, titled Khatta Meeta and this movie, despite being moderate success received cult classic status. Its reels are popular now, which shows Sreenivasan’s subjects are relevant across different timelines and cultures.

Udayananu Tharam (2005) – directed by Rosshan Andrrews

How can a genius troll himself like this! Many people spread rumours that Sreenivasan wrote this script to troll Mohanlal (also its sequal), which created drift between the stars in real life later. But on screen, he is trolling himself. One of the finest movies of Sreenivasan – Mohanlal combo, it was a huge blockbuster directed by Rosshan Andrrews in his directorial debut. The movie also starred Meena and Jagathy Sreekumar also appeared in pivot roles. The movie had inspired elements from 1999 movie Bowfinger.  It depicts the struggles of Udayabhanu, an assistant director who aspires to be a director and how events unfold after Rajappan Thengummoodu steals his script and become a super star.

The most interesting part is that, Vineeth Sreenivasan became the ghost voice of his father. The song, “Karale, Karalinte Karale” was a huge chartbuster. Hindi remake starring Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi failed to recreate the magic. The movie was directed by Neeraj Vora, who has re-scripted many movies for Priyadarshan including Hera Pheri and Garam Masala.

Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1997) – Directed by himself

There is one 1992 award-winning movie, Swaroopam, which I came across while preparing my previous post. Looks like Chinthavishayaaya Shyamala took main thread from this. Sreenivasan played main lead in this film too.

Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala was scripted and directed by Sreenivasan, and he played lead role too. Like many other films scripted by him, he criticised himself though this film. Generally, when a popular hero scripts and directs a film, he will try to enhance his public image through the character he portrays. He takes this opportunity to exhibit machoism. But our Sreenivasan is just opposite. Through both the films he made, he showed the mirror of the society, a male character which we can relate or we have seen before, even it could be you.

Though he shows insecure men with negative or grey shades through his characters, he was fully confident that Malayalis will accept them. He makes bitter pills through his pen and make us take them with smile. Through the film, Sreenivasan showed many married men around us, who lives in delusion of big dreams, but not willing to work hard to fulfil it. They are no willing to take family responsibilities either. Sangita played the central character of the worried wife.The movie won numerous awards including National award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.

Njan Prakashan (2018) – directed by Sathyan Anthikkad

This movie is credited as the last film of Sreenivasan as a screenwriter before he became critically ill. For the last few years of his professional life, most of his films failed to connect chord with audience and failed at box office. But when he teams with his friend, it’s something different. Sathyan Anthikkad – The master of good feel films had earlier made Oru Indian Pranayakadha with Fahadh Fasil, which worked at box office. This movie was one of the biggest hits of the year, and will be marked as the last one of Sathyan Anthikad – Sreenivasan combo (both as script and also the last time when Sreenivasan appeared in his film). Also read: 10 best scripts of Sreenivasan for Sathyan Anthikad films. 

Sreenivasan scripts something similar and it reminds you of Fahadh’s character in Oru Indian Pranayakadha. Njan Prakashan became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all times. The movie also starred Anju Kurian, Sreenivasan, Nikhila Vimal and Devika Sanjay in pivot roles. The heart-breaking climax forces us to think about different philosophies of life, significant of hard work and self-less service, and how you can transform yourself.

Before I conclude:

Let me add a few more favourite scripts written by Sreenivasan. In a career spanning to more than 4 decades, he contributed around 54 scripts, excluding stories written for movies like Chithram. As a screen writer, he wrote highest number of scripts for Sathyan Anthikkad, followed by Priyadarshan. Mohanlal played the lead role in majority of his films, and in almost all films, he played a character role or parallel lead, sometimes equal to the hero. And as we all know, like Jagathy Sreekumar, he outshined Mohanlal in many memorable roles, sharing screen space with him.

Humour is the main flavour of most of his scripts, and a few of them are satire takes on different social issues. I would like to mention a few more – Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986), T. P. Balagopalan M.A. (1986), Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1987), Varavelpu (1989), Irattakuttikalude Achan (1997), Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu (1998), Oru Maravathoor Kanavu (1998), Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001) and Kadha Parayumbol (2007).