{{DEFAULTSORT:Sreenivasan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sreenivasan}}
[[Category:Malayalam comedians]]
[[Category:Malayalam comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Artists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Artists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Malayalam film producers]]
[[Category:Malayalam film producers]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni]]
[[Category:M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute alumni]]
Indian film actor, screenwriter, and director (1956–2025)
Sreenivasan (6 April 1956 – 20 December 2025) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema.[1] He starred in over 225 films.
Sreenivasan wrote the screenplays of films such as Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986), Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986), Nadodikkattu (1987), Pattanapravesham (1988), Varavelpu (1989), Thalayana Manthram (1990), Sandesam (1991), Midhunam (1993), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Azhakiya Ravanan (1996), Oru Maravathoor Kanavu (1998), Udayananu Tharam (2005), Katha Parayumpol (2007), and Njan Prakashan (2018), the latter being one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. He won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Screenplay for Sandesam and Mazhayethum Munpe, along with several other honours including a National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards South and six Kerala State Film Awards.
As a writer and actor, he frequently collaborated with directors such as Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikad and Kamal. As a filmmaker, he scripted and directed Vadakkunokkiyanthram (1989) and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998). Vadakkunokkiyanthram won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film, while Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value at the 29th Kerala State Film Awards.[2] He co-produced Katha Parayumpol (2007) and Thattathin Marayathu (2012) under the banner Lumiere Film Company, along with actor Mukesh.[3]
Sreenivasan was born in to a Thiyyar family, in Patyam, a village near Thalassery in Kannur, North Malabar region of Kerala.[4][5][6] He has a sister and two brothers.[7] His mother was a homemaker and his father a school teacher.[8] Sreenivasan completed his formal education at Kuthuparamba Middle School and Government High School, Kadirur. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from PRNSS College, Mattanur. In 1977, Sreenivasan studied at the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.[9]
Sreenivasan debuted in the 1976 P. A. Backer movie Manimuzhakkam. His first lead role was Sanghaganam (1979). At film school, he was enrolled by Aniyeri Prabhakaran, who later cast him in Mela (1980). In 1984, Sreenivasan wrote his first film, Odaruthammava Aalariyam. He both wrote and acted in Varavelpu, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Nadodikkattu and its two sequels, Pattanapravesham, and Akkare Akkare Akkare. As a director he filmed Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala. His comedies include Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, Kinnaripuzhayoram, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Artham, Azhakiya Ravanan, Chithram etc.
Sreenivasan’s scripts in the 1980s and 1990s brilliantly portrayed the amusing part of people who were obsessed with pulp fiction stories that appeared in mediocre Malayalam magazines, not to mention his subtle approach to explaining the negative influence of such contents on the society in which the majority were unemployed. Through satires, he was, on the other hand, pretty successful in providing incredible insights into the anarchy caused by the labor unions.
Sreenivasan was profoundly successful in creating a new dimension for Malayalam cinema by way of humor to show vibrant and engaging stories of ordinary people in the simplest manner, usually with fast-paced scripts.
Many of the relatable characters he crafted, some taken from his real-life experience, drew the viewers into compelling narratives that often kept them invested in their journey through the movie.
With his natural-sounding conversations devoid of stereotypes, Sreenivasan was able to portray an authentic representation of diverse characters within his movies. And many of his characters have left an indelible mark on viewers’ hearts and minds, while some of these characters and their conversations have become a part of popular culture among Malayalees around the world.
His elder son, Vineeth Sreenivasan is a singer, actor, producer and director. He has acted and directed many Malayalam movies. His younger son, Dhyan Sreenivasan, is also an actor, director and producer, made his debut in Thira, a thriller movie directed by his brother.[11]
Sreenivasan died on 20 December 2025, after being ill for a long time in Thrippunithara, Kochi.[12] He was 69 years old.[13] [14]
- Ramu Kariat Memorial Awards
- 1998 – Best Film – Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala[25]
- 2010 – Best Actor – Aathmakatha
- Other Awards
- 2008 – Best Script Writer – Katha Parayumpol[26]
- 2009 – Sathyan Memorial Film Award for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema.[27]
- 2011 – Golden Friends of Kannur Expatriates Award[28]
- 2011 – T. K. Ramakrishnan Memorial Award for exemplary contribution to public life.[29]
- 2012 – Bharat Balan K. Nair Film Award for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema.[30]
- 2024 – Tapasya Madampu Smriti Award for contributions to Malayalam film literature.[31]
