TOP 30 DIRECTORS IN MALAYALAM MOVIES
by shijus-74595 | created - 15 Feb 2017 | updated - 4 months ago | PublicJust a personal choice. Not in any order...
1. Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Director | Mathilukal
Adoor Gopalakrishnan is India's most acclaimed contemporary filmmaker. Born in 1941 in Kerala, a state in south India, he belongs to a family with strong links to the performing arts, especially Kathakali, a highly-stylised form of dance drama. From the age of eight Adoor began acting for the stage...
2. Shaji N. Karun
Director | Piravi
Shaji Neelakantan Karun was born on new years day 1950 as the eldest son of Mr. N. Karunakaran and Mrs. Chandramati in Kollam district of the state of Kerala, India. The family moved to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state in 1963. He did his schooling in Palkkulangara H.S., and took a ...
3. T.V. Chandran
Director | Dany
T.V. Chandran was born on November 23, 1950 in Thalassery, Kerala, India. He is a director and writer, known for Dany (2002), Susanna (2000) and Ponthan Mada (1994).
4. K.G. George
Director | Yavanika
K.G. George was born on May 26, 1946 in Changanacheri, Kerala, British India [now India]. He was a director and writer, known for Yavanika (1982), Ee Kannikoodi (1990) and Lekhayude Maranam: Oru Flashback (1983). He was married to Selma George. He died on September 24, 2023 in Kakkanad, Kerala, ...
5. Ramu Kariat
Director | Chemmeen
Ramu Kariat was born on February 1, 1928 in Engandiyur, Kerala, India. He was a director and writer, known for Chemmeen (1965), Minnaminungu (1957) and Nellu (1974). He died on February 10, 1979 in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
7. Fazil
Director | Manichitrathazhu
Fazil was born in 1953 in Alleppey, Kerala, India. He is a writer and director, known for Manichithrathazhu (1993), Poove Poochudava (1985) and Killer (1992).
8. P. Padmarajan
Writer | Aparan
P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who was known for his landmark works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely ...
9. Bharathan
Director | Thevar Magan
Bharathan was born on November 14, 1947 in Vadakkancheri, Trichur, Kerala, British India. He was a director and art director, known for Thevar Magan (1992), Prayanam (1975) and Thakara (1979). He was married to K.P.A.C. Lalitha. He died on July 29, 1998 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.
10. I.V. Sasi
Director | Eeta
I.V. Sasi was born on March 28, 1948 in Kerala, British India [now India]. He was a director and writer, known for Eeta (1978), Itha Ivide Vare (1977) and Karimpin Poovinakkare (1985). He was married to Seema. He died on October 24, 2017 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
11. Kamal
Director | Celluloid
Kamal was born on November 28, 1957 in Thrissur, Kerala, India. He is a director and writer, known for Celluloid (2013), Megamalhar (2001) and Nammal (2002). He is married to Saburabi. They have two children.
12. Priyadarshan
Director | Oppam
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked in the Hindi and Malayalam film industry for almost 40 years and has directed over 90 films.
He completed his early education at Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram. He later pursued his bachelor's degree from Mahatma ...
13. Sibi Malayil
Director | Bharatham
Sibi Malayil was born on May 2, 1956 in Alappuzha, Kerala, India. He is a director and assistant director, known for Bharatham (1991), Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum (2003) and August 1 (1988). He has been married to Bala Sibi since 1989.
14. A.K. Lohithadas
Writer | Thaniyavartanam
A.K. Lohithadas was born on May 10, 1955 in Chalakudy, Kerala, India. He was a writer and director, known for Thaniyavartanam (1987), Kasthuriman (2003) and Joker (2000). He was married to Sindhu. He died on June 28, 2009 in Kochi, Kerala, India.
15. Lal Jose
Director | Diamond Necklace
Lal Jose, a proficient Indian film maker, was born in Valapad in Thrissur district, Kerala to Jose and Lilly. Later the family moved to Ottapalam owing to personal commitments. Lal Jose did his schooling at NSS KPT School and NSS College Ottapalam. He is married to Leena. The couple has two ...
16. T. Hariharan
Director | Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
Hariharan entered the Malayalam film industry in 1965, and has so far directed more than 60 films, many of which were highly successful both commercially and critically. His movies have mostly explored the complexities of social issues and human relationships, set in the backdrop of Kerala's rich ...
17. P.N. Menon
Director | Olavum Theeravum
P.N. Menon was born in 1926 in Vadakkancheri, Trichur, Kerala, British India. He was a director and writer, known for Olavum Theeravum (1969), Gayathri (1973) and Asthram (1983). He died on September 9, 2008 in Kochi, Kerala, India.
18. Blessy
Writer | Thanmathra
Blessy was born in Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. He is known for Thanmathra (2005), Kaazhcha (2004) and Pranayam (2011).
19. Govindan Aravindan
Director | Esthappan
Govindan Aravindan was born on January 21, 1935 in Kottayam, Kerala, India. He was a director and writer, known for Esthappan (1980), Vasthuhara (1991) and Oridathu (1987). He died on March 16, 1991 in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
20. Rajeev Ravi
Cinematographer | Dev.D
Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer. A 1997 graduate from FTII, Pune, he has worked with director Anurag Kashyap several times. He has operated the camera for many Hindi films as well as Malayalam films. He first assisted in the Malayalam film, Pranayavarnangal. His first independent work is ...
21. Ranjith
Writer | Pranchiyettan and the Saint
Ranjith is known for Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010), Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009) and Indian Rupee (2011).
22. Aashiq Abu
Director | Virus
Aashiq Abu is an Indian film director, producer and actor. He was born in Kochi, Keala in the year 1978 to C.M. Abu and Jameela Abu. Aashiq Abu did his graduation from Maharajas College, Ernakulam, where he was an active member for student union for consecutive years. He married Malayalam actress ...
23. Sathyan Anthikad
Director | Njan Prakashan
Sathyan Anthikad was born on January 3, 1955 in Thrissur, Kerala, India. He is a director and writer, known for Njan Prakashan (2018), Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999) and Thooval Kottaram (1996). He is married to Nimmi Sathyan.
24. K.S. Sethumadhavan
Director | Marupakkam
K.S. Sethumadhavan was born in 1931 in Palakkad, Kerala, India. He was a director and writer, known for The Other Side (1990), Chattakkari (1974) and Nammavar (1994). He was married to Valsala. He died on December 24, 2021 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
25. Joshiy
Director | Thanthram
Joshiy was born on July 19, 1952 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He is a director, known for Thanthram (1988), Naaduvazhikal (1989) and Lion (2006). He is married to Sindhu.
26. Dileesh Pothan
Actor | Joji
Dileesh Pothan is a path-breaking Indian director, producer and actor from Malayalam cinema. Pothan began his career as an associate director on the 2010 film 9 KK Road, and went on to be an assistant director with producer-director Aashiq Abu for five films. He also made his acting debut with a ...
27. Rajeev Ravi
Cinematographer | Dev.D
Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer. A 1997 graduate from FTII, Pune, he has worked with director Anurag Kashyap several times. He has operated the camera for many Hindi films as well as Malayalam films. He first assisted in the Malayalam film, Pranayavarnangal. His first independent work is ...
28. Jeethu Joseph
Writer | Drishyam
Jeethu Joseph is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. He has also worked in a few Tamil and Bollywood films. Jeethu made his directional debut with the 2007 police procedural film Detective and later went on to direct five successful films...
29. Anjali Menon
Writer | Bangalore Days
Anjali is a leading Indian film director and screenwriter. She completed her post-graduate degree from London Film School with honors in editing, producing, and directing film; her graduation film Black Nor White premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and received the BFI award ...
30. Anwar Rasheed
Director | Ustad Hotel
Anwar Rasheed was born on March 19, 1976 in Kerala, India. He is an assistant director and director, known for Ustad Hotel (2012), Bangalore Days (2014) and Kerala Cafe (2009).
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