Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. Priyadarshan is mostly known for directing comedy films but has directed a few non-comical films such as a historical epic film based around freedom fighters in India titled Kaalapani and his epic period drama Kancheevaram. In a career spanning over four decades, Priyadarshan has directed 98 films in several Indian languages, predominantly Malayalam and Hindi, besides eight in Tamil, and two in Telugu. Though he began his career in Malayalam cinema in 1984, Priyadarshan was mainly active in Hindi cinema for 2001–2010. In 2013, he announced Rangrezz would be his last Hindi film for a short period; and focused on making more Malayalam films.
Priyadrshan has also tried his hand at action and thriller films from time to time. His collaborations with Mohanlal were highly popular and noted in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, with films such as Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Thalavattam, Vellanakalude Nadu, Chithram, Vandanam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu, Mithunam, Thenmavin Kombath, and Kala Pani. Actors he has worked with over several films include Mohanlal, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Sukumari, Mukesh and Mammukoya, Prakash Raj. He was also credited as the story writer of the 1986 film Ninnishtam Ennishtam.
Priyadarshan was one of the first directors in India to introduce rich color grading, clear sound and quality dubbing through his Malayalam films. Upon entering Bollywood, he has mostly adapted stories from popular comedy films from Malayalam cinema, some from his own work and some from others works. These include Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, Dhol, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, De Dana Dan, Khatta Meetha and Bhooth Bangla. Actors he has worked with multiple times in Hindi cinema include Akshay Kumar,Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Kareena Kapoor, and Rajpal Yadav.
Films Year Title Language Credited as Notes Director Screenwriter 1982 Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam Malayalam I.V. Sasi 1983 Bhookambam Joshiy Kuyilinethedi M. Mani Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Vijayanand Engane Nee Marakkum M. Mani 1984 Ente Kalithozhan M. Mani Poochakkoru Mookkuthi Odaruthammava Aalariyam Vanitha Police Alleppey Ashraf Muthodu Muthu M. Mani 1985 Punnaram Cholli Cholli Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil Aram + Aram = Kinnaram Boeing Boeing Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya 1986 Dheem Tharikida Thom Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu Chekkeranoru Chilla Sibi Malayil Hello My Dear Wrong Number Ninnishtam Ennishtam Alleppey Ashraf Thalavattam Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil 1987 Chinnamanikkuyile Tamil Unreleased Cheppu Malayalam 1988 Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu Oru Muthassi Katha Aryan Vellanakalude Nadu Chithram 1989 Vandanam Dhanushkodi Dropped Project 1990 Akkare Akkare Akkare Kadathanadan Ambadi 1991 Nirnayam Telugu Gopura Vasalile Tamil Kilukkam Malayalam Abhimanyu 1992 Advaitham Muskurahat Hindi 1993 Midhunam Malayalam Gardish Hindi 1994 The City Malayalam I.V. Sasi Kinnaripuzhayoram Haridas Gandeevam Telugu Thenmavin Kombath Malayalam Minnaram 1996 Kala Pani 1997 Virasat Hindi Chandralekha Malayalam Oru Yathramozhi Prathap Pothen 1998 Saat Rang Ke Sapne Hindi Kabhi Na Kabhi Doli Saja Ke Rakhna 1999 Megham Malayalam 2000 Hera Pheri Hindi SnegithiyeTamil 2001 Kakkakuyil Malayalam Also producer Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar Hindi 2003 Lesa Lesa Tamil Kilichundan Mampazham Malayalam Hungama Hindi 2004 Wanted Malayalam Murali Nagavally Hulchul Hindi Vettam Malayalam 2005 Garam Masala Hindi Kyon Ki 2006 Bhagam Bhag Malamaal Weekly Chup Chup Ke 2007 Raakilipattu Malayalam Dhol Hindi Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2008 Mere Baap Pehle Aap Kanchivaram Tamil 2009 Billu Hindi De Dana Dan 2010 Khatta Meetha Bumm Bumm Bole Aakrosh 2011 Oru Marubhoomikkadha Malayalam 2012 Tezz Hindi Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal 2013 Rangrezz GeethaanjaliMalayalam 2014Aamayum Muyalum 2016 Oppam 2018 Nimir Tamil Sometimes 2021Hungama 2Hindi Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea Malayalam 2023Corona Papers Also producer Appatha Tamil 2026Bhooth BanglaHindi Co-written screenplay with Rohan Shankar, Abilash NairHaiwaanTBAMalayalam Announced
Other credits
YearTitle Language Role 1978 ThiranottamMalayalam Assistant director 1981 Thenum Vayambum 1982 Padayottam Script supervisor 1993 Manichitrathazhu Second Unit director 2008 Poi Solla Porom Tamil Producer
Acting credits YearTitle Language RoleNotes 1983 Hello Madras GirlMalayalam Man in restaurant Uncredited 1986 T. P. Balagopalan M.A. Film director Cameo 1990 No. 20 Madras Mail Himself
Television
Year Title Language Credited as Notes Platform Director Writer 2020Forbidden Love Hindi ZEE52021NavarasaTamil Netflix2024ManorathangalMalayalam and "Shilalikhithangal"ZEE5
References
External links Official Website