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Top Malayalam Film Directors of the Year
Here's a look at the Top Five most popular Malayalam directors of 2011, who made some great movies.
Some fantastic films, many ordinary ones and a few bad ones, that's the tally for the Malayalam film industry in 2011.
Significantly, though, the filmmakers who impressed the most were not seasoned veterans but enterprising young faces.
Here's our list of top Malayalam directors in 2011.
Rajesh Pillai
Film: Traffic
Forget his maiden attempt Hridayathil Sookshikkaan, which came out in 2005. Director Rajesh Pillai stunned viewers with Traffic, an engaging journey where people who were unknown to each other until a fatal accident occurred and they came together for a noble cause.
The script by Bobby and Sanjay was modern and Rajesh Pillai showed tremendous maturity while presenting it on screen.
Madhav Ramadasan
Film: Melvilasam
The debutant director tried something new and pulled it off.
Events during a court-martial unfold inside a single room in a highly entertaining manner. The camera never leaves the room and the dialogues take the story ahead.
Viewers found the court-room drama, packed with some genuine messages, rivetting. Madhav Ramadasan unleashed a new style of narration that was truly mesmerising.
Aashiq Abu
Film: Salt N' Pepper
His maiden venture, Daddy Cool, had only style and no substance.
In Salt N' Pepper, there was no path-breaking storyline and the film had a rather surprising cast, with Lal, Swetha Menon, Asif Ali, Mythili and baddie Baburaj as a comedian.
This fine, simple, romantic saga was made into a delicious dish by Aashiq, with his spectacular presentation, enchanting music and food as the backdrop.
Here is one director who could easily be the future of Malayalam cinema.
Ranjith
Film: Indian Rupee
The scenarist-turned-director is perhaps the only veteran who continues to entertain Malayalis with his vibrant themes.
Prithviraj, whose popularity is at an all-time low, played a small-time real estate broker with big ambitions, in this very realistic movie.
Thilakan and Jagathy Sreekumar were outstanding in their roles. Ranjith proved once again that he is one of the best in the business.
Salim Ahamed
Film: Adaminte Makan Abu
He was a total outsider until Adaminte Makan Abu happened. Debutant director Salim Ahamed's film told the heart-wrenching tale of an ordinary man whose sole desire to go on the haj almost comes true. It won almost every award in the country and entry to several prestigious film festivals.
The film is India's official entry to the Oscars in the foreign film category.
Of course, the film has been helped substantially by Salim Kumar's top-notch acting, Madhu Ambat's visuals and Isaac Thomas Kottukappilly's amazing music.
But it is to Salim Ahamed's credit that he made this superb movie that highlighted an increasingly rare characteristic -- honesty.