Malayalis’ dearest actor-screenwriter Sreenivasan is no longer with us. His contribution to Malayalam cinema since the mid-1980s for nearly 4 decades is immensely huge. Malayalis can’t imagine Malayalam cinema without him. If Mammootty and Mohanlal are the two supporting pillars or two rails binding the industry together, there are a few more great names which provided other attributes.
There are many artists who redefined Malayalam cinema in the 1980s, and made it appealing to both youth and family audiences, and among those names, Sreenivasan’s significance is immensely huge – both as actor and writer, alongside directing 2 masterpiece films. As a screenwriter, his work with Sathyan Anthikad redefined good-feel family dramas, with a topping of comedy which brought family audiences to theatres. Read their 10 best films together.
After that Sreenivasan’s association with Priyadarshan is widely praised – both as actor and screenwriter. He has also helped Priyadarshan in writing and co-scripting a few films, and also with dialogues. After Priyadarshan some of the great names are Kamal, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas.
10 Best scripts Sreenivasan wrote for Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan describes the late Sreenivasan as the’ Satire King’ of Kerala. In this article, let us see which are the 10 best films of Priyadarshan, scripted by Sreenivasan. As an actor, Sreenivasan mostly appeared in comic roles in Priyadarshan films, either he scripted films or not. In most of the scripted films, he played a light-hearted supporting role too, but never in a lead role. Right from the debut movie of Priyadarshan – Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984), Sreenivasan has acted, and in his second movies, as all of us know, Sreenivasan turned a screenwriter. Also read: 10 best scripts of Sreenivasan.
List of Priyadarshan films in which Sreenivasan acted, but not scripted
- Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil (1985)
- Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi (1986) – Brief cameo – Plot inspired from Golmaal.
- Dheem Tharikida Thom (1986)
- Chithram (1988 – Though wrote story only)
- Aryan (1988)
- Thenmavin Kombath (1994)
- Kaalapani (1996)
- Megham (1999)
- Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nairum (2011)
Let’s move forward and list the 10 best combo movies of Sreenivasan and Priyadarshan
Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984)
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.
Odaruthammava Aalariyam is not an original story. It is heavily inspired by the 1981 Hindi film Chashme Buddoor with some elements borrowed from Tamil-language movie Poikkal Kudhirai (1983). Chashme Buddoor too was inspired from Tamil-language movie, Indru Poi Naalai Vaa (1981). Many Indian films have taken this story thread – Multiple men trying to woo a single woman. Chashme Buddoor was remade to Hindi with same title years later, and Nayee Padosan (2003) also shares a common plot. Tamil film, Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya (2013) is yet another inspiration.
Aram + Aram Kinnaram (1985)
This slapstick comedy film directed by Priyadarshan was a hit at box office. 1980s witnessed a new beginning of comedy films in Malayalam cinema, mostly with ensemble cast, and Priyadarshan was at its top for giving such entertainers. Priyadarshan himself scripted many of such films. The era also witnessed low-budget multi-starrer action masalas, which was carried forward in the 1990s too.
Two Bollywood films, Naram Garam and Pasand Apni Apni became the basic plot of Aram + Aram Kinnaram, and when it was rewritten to please Malayali audience, it was well received. Shankar, Mohanlal, Lissy and Puja Saxena played the lead roles.
Akkare Akkare Akkare (1990)
The trilogy consists of three films was originally scripted by Sreenivasan – (Nadodikattu – 1987, Pattana Pravashem – 1988 & Akkare Akkare Akkare – 1990). Sathyan Anthikad directed the first two parts while Priyadarshan directed the third part. Mohanlal and Sreenivasan played the friends – Vijayan and Dasan, which has become a part of Malayali’s popular culture, and re-defined a generation of Malayalam comedy. The duo played detectives in the film, who go to US for a mission. Needless to say, Nadodikattu trilogy has repeat watch value. It’s one among the rare iconic comedy movies/series of Malayalam never remade to Hindi.
Midhunam (1993)
This iconic & super hit film is based on a socially relevant topic on the difficulties faced by an entrepreneur with a startup. This film often come into discussions in public platforms for the performance of Urvashi, and 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.)
No one will deny the fact that despite being wrongly placed in the film & wrongly portrayed, Midhunam is widely regarded as the best work of Urvashi as an actress. Her role as Sulochana aka Sulu (Mohanlal’s wife) leaves a deep impact in audience’s hearts, and we can never imagine any other actress in the place of Urvashi. To add, Urvashi is my choice for the best actress of Malayalam cinema & Midhunam is her best performance. To know the real acting range of this actress, you should watch this film.
Punnaram Cholli Cholli (1985)
This romantic film starred Rahman, Shankar, Zarina Wahab and Sreenivasan in pivot roles, and was a box office winner. The movie is about how two crooked men, who are the property managers mislead owner’s son, a naive boy into a misleading love story by cooking stories. Rahman played the innocent young boy and Zarina Wahab played the elder woman.
Hello My Dear Wrong Number (1986)
This comedy thriller is an adapted script of 1982 film Hanky Panky, which included an ensemble cast of Mohanlal, Mukesh, Lizzy, Jagathy Sreekumar, Menaka and many years. Though Priyadarshan made many popular films for Malayalis in the 1980s and 1990s, a good percent of them were actually inspired from foreign language films. Those days, Malayali audience was not much exposed to English and other foreign languages, which worked favourable to the director. But he always adapted the scripts to suit Malayali audiences. His films were a mixed bag of drama, comedy, suspense and action, loved by all.
Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986)
Sreenivasan played the role of Madhavan, who calls himself as M A Dhavan. He recently retires from Gulf and swaps identities with his driver, Shambhu played by Mohanlal to spy his fiancée’s family. Problems arise when Shobha falls for Shambhu. Shobha’s character was played by Lissy, Priyan’s future wife. Priyadarshan-Mohanlal-Lissy combo was a huge hit in the 1980s, until Lissy retired from acting after marriage.
Vellanakalude Nadu (1988)
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 a moderate success, received cult classic status. Its reels are popular now, which shows Sreenivasan’s subjects are relevant across different timelines and cultures.
Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988)
The story is based on the Marathi play Sasa Aani Kasav. It was scripted by Sreenivasan and adapted by Priyadarshan. The movie starring Mohanlal and Ranjini was a super hit at box office. The Marathi play has already been made on Hindi screen as Katha in 1983. The movie tells the story of Mukundan, and how he finally wins the heart of Sumitra. Sreenivasan played the pivot role of a conman in this movie. Also read: Top 10 love tragedies of Priyadarshan starring Mohanlal
Chandralekha (1997)
Original film directed by Priyadarshan was one of the biggest hits of the year. The film’s core plot was inspired by the 1995 Hollywood film While You Were Sleeping. It was scripted by Sreenivasan, and he had a terrific screen chemistry with Mohanlal in this film, who played his friend. Its Hindi remake – Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, directed by Raj Kanwar was a hit at box office. Salman Khan, Rani Mukerjee and Preity Zinta reprised the roles played by Mohanlal, Sukanya and Pooja Bhatra (in her Malayalam debut) in the original. I can’t remember who enacted Salman’s friend in the film.
Special Mention – Oru Muthassi Katha (1988)
Jagadish wrote the story and Sreenivasan contributed for the script. Movie is good with a sad climax. I didn’t include the film in the top 10 list only because, I am not sure of Sreenivasan’s contributions. In the opening credits, Priyadarshan is credited for the story & direction together. That’s why I make special mention.
Before I conclude:
Most of the films of Priyadarshan-Sreenivasan combo were box office hits. One exception is Kilichundan Mampazham (2003) with Mohanlal playing the lead role and Sreenivasan played an equally important character. Though this film was a flop, it has a separate fanbase. As far as I know, it was the last film co-scripted by Sreenivasan for Priyadarshan. By that time the director became busy with Bollywood films. It was Soundarya’s last appearance in a Malayalam film before the plane crash. Vineeth Sreenivasan sang his first song for the film too.
Let me mention two more important films of Priyadarshan – Sreenivasan combo. Chithram (1988) is an evergreen hit which lifted the career graphs of the director as well as all artists associated with it, with Mohanlal’s name ranking first. Sreenivasan wrote the story of Chithram (not screenplay) and also played a pivot role with negative shade. He also wrote the dialogues of one of the early hits of Priyadarshan Boeing Boeing (1985), which the director successfully remade after 2 decades as Garam Masala starring Akshay Kumar & John Abraham. Also read: Top 10 Hindi remakes of Malayalam films.
Recent Comments