Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
sreeni
Sreenivasan (Malayalam:ശ്രീനിവാസന്) (born 6 April 1956) is an award winning Malayali Indian screenwriter, actor, film director, and producer.[1] He is noted for his satirical, screwball and black comedy screenplays. As an actor he is famous for his comic performances.
He is most popular for writing T. P. Balagopalan M.A., Vadakkunokkiyantram, Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Nadodikkattu, Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu, Varavelpu, Thalayanamanthram, Sandesam, Midhunam, English Medium (banned after 50 days of release), Azhakiya Ravanan and Kadha Parayaumbol.
As a filmmaker, he has scripted and directed Vadakkunokkiyanthram[2] and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.[3]
Much of Sreenivasan's movies depict problems affecting society, although these are portrayed as satire or outright comedy. Some of his successful films includes Sandesam, Vellanakalude Nadu, and Varavelpu. Mostly satirical in nature, his lines are directed against matters as diverse as Police Brutality, Pulp magazines and unproductive Labour Unions. Excellent characterization, witty (often deadpan) dialogue and self-deprecating humour are trademarks of Sreenivasan movies. His writing very often pokes fun at himself, mostly at his own unglamourous appearance, and were commonplace in scenes with co-star Mohanlal. Not himself a supporter of any particular party, he has been critical of the activities of political parties and their involving young members in petty, often harmful or dangerous activities. His films like Sandesham and Varavelpu criticized the activities of Kerala's major political parties and unions. Arabikatha depicts the fight of a true communist in the party. Some of his popular movies such as Vadakku Nooki Yanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala not only are thought-provoking but also are fine depictions of human character which elicited critical and public applause. His comedies earned popularity, some of them such as Aram + Aram = Kinnaram Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Nagarangalil Chennu Raa Parkkaam, Ishtam and Chithram have been commercial successes. Sreenivasan is the only Malayalam screenplay and dialogue writer who has portrayed North Keralite slang, especially that of Tellicherry, which is unique and at times 'wacky', not to mention incomprehensible to South Keralites. He appeared in a popular weekly TV show on Kairali TV called Valiya Lokavum Cheriya Sreeniyum (translation: The Big World and the Little Sreeni). His son Vineeth Sreenivasan is a playback singer, film director and actor.
He is most popular for writing T. P. Balagopalan M.A., Vadakkunokkiyantram, Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Nadodikkattu, Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu, Varavelpu, Thalayanamanthram, Sandesam, Midhunam, English Medium (banned after 50 days of release), Azhakiya Ravanan and Kadha Parayaumbol.
As a filmmaker, he has scripted and directed Vadakkunokkiyanthram[2] and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.[3]
Contents |
Early life
Sreenivasan was born in a small village of Patyam, to the east of Thalassery in Kannur, North Malabar region of Kerala State, on 6 April 1956. His father Unni was a school teacher, an active Communist, and his mother Lakshmi, a homemaker. He completed his formal education in Government High School, Kathiroor and Pazhassi Raja N.S.S. College Mattannur. He got a diploma in film acting from the Film Chamber Institute, Madras in 1977 where Rajinikanth was his senior by a year.Career
Sreenivasan entered film industry in the 1977 P. A. Backer movie Manimuzhakam after finishing a course in acting from the Film Chamber Institute. In the film institute he was coached by the then vice principal A.Prabhakaran and later gave him a role in his movie Mela. A few movie roles later, he wrote his first film Oodarathuammava Aalariyam in 1984. His most famous movies as actor-writer include Varavelpu, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Nadodikkattu and its two sequels, Pattanapravesham and Akkare Akkare Akkare. He also made his mark as a director with his two award-winning movies, Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.Much of Sreenivasan's movies depict problems affecting society, although these are portrayed as satire or outright comedy. Some of his successful films includes Sandesam, Vellanakalude Nadu, and Varavelpu. Mostly satirical in nature, his lines are directed against matters as diverse as Police Brutality, Pulp magazines and unproductive Labour Unions. Excellent characterization, witty (often deadpan) dialogue and self-deprecating humour are trademarks of Sreenivasan movies. His writing very often pokes fun at himself, mostly at his own unglamourous appearance, and were commonplace in scenes with co-star Mohanlal. Not himself a supporter of any particular party, he has been critical of the activities of political parties and their involving young members in petty, often harmful or dangerous activities. His films like Sandesham and Varavelpu criticized the activities of Kerala's major political parties and unions. Arabikatha depicts the fight of a true communist in the party. Some of his popular movies such as Vadakku Nooki Yanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala not only are thought-provoking but also are fine depictions of human character which elicited critical and public applause. His comedies earned popularity, some of them such as Aram + Aram = Kinnaram Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Nagarangalil Chennu Raa Parkkaam, Ishtam and Chithram have been commercial successes. Sreenivasan is the only Malayalam screenplay and dialogue writer who has portrayed North Keralite slang, especially that of Tellicherry, which is unique and at times 'wacky', not to mention incomprehensible to South Keralites. He appeared in a popular weekly TV show on Kairali TV called Valiya Lokavum Cheriya Sreeniyum (translation: The Big World and the Little Sreeni). His son Vineeth Sreenivasan is a playback singer, film director and actor.
Awards
National Film Awards:- 1999 - Best Film on Other Social Issues - Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
- 1987 - Best Film on Other Social Issues - Doore Doore Koodu Koottam (written by Sreenivasan, directed by Sibi Malayil)
- 2007 - Best Popular Film - Katha Parayumbol (produced and written by Sreenivasan)
- 2006 - Special Jury Award - Thakarachenda
- 1998 - Best Popular Film - Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (written and directed by Sreenivasan)
- 1995 - Best Screen Play - Mazhayethum Munpe
- 1995 - Best Popular Film - Mazhayethum Munpe (screenplay by Sreenivasan)
- 1991 - Best Screen Play - Sandesam
- 1989 - Best Film - Vadakkunokkiyantram
- 2009 - Supporting Actor Award - Makante Achan, Passenger
- 2007 - Best Film Award - Kadha Parayumbol
- 2005 - Best Script Writer Award - Udayananu Tharam
- 1998 - Best Film Award - Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
- 1998 - Best Director Award - Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
- 2010 - Asiavision Movie Award for Lifetime Achievement
- 2008 - Bahadoor Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema
Selected filmography
Further information: Sreenivasan filmography
- 2010: Oru Naal Varum, Aatmakatha
- 2009: Makante Achan, Passenger
- 2007: Kadha Parayumbol, Arabikkatha, Thakarachenda
- 2006: Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam
- 2005: Udayananu Tharam
- 2003: Kilichundan Mampazham
- 2002: Yathrakarude Sradhakku
- 2001: Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka
- 1999: Angane Oru Avadhikalathu, English Medium, Friends, Megham
- 1998: Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu, Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
- 1997: Chandralekha
- 1996: Azhakiya Ravanan
- 1995: Mazhayethum Munpe
- 1994: Thenmavin Kombath, Kinnarippuzhayoram
- 1993: Midhunam, Golanthara Vartha
- 1991: Sandesham, Kankettu
- 1990: Akkare Akkare Akkare, Kalikkalam, Aanaval Mothiram, Thalayanamanthram, Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam
- 1989: Varavelpu, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Artham
- 1988: Pattanapravesham, Vellanakalude Nadu, Mukunthetta Sumithra Vilikkunnu, Chithram, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Kudumbapuranam
- 1987: Nadodikattu, Sreedharante Onnam Thirumurivu
- 1986: T. P. Balagopalan M.A., Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Sanmanassullarkku Samadanam, Dheem Tharikida Thom
- 1985: Mutharamkunnu P.O, Aram + Aram Kinnaram, Boeing Boeing
- 1984: Odaruthammava Aalariyam, Panchavadi Palam
- 1977: Mani Muzhakkam
expendables
A team of elite, highly-trained mercenaries, the Expendables, are deployed to the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia to halt local pirates from executing the hostages on a naval ship. The team consists of leader Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), former SAS soldier and blades specialist Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), martial artist Yin Yang (Jet Li), sniper Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), weapons specialist Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) and demolitions expert Toll Road (Randy Couture). Jensen instigates a firefight, causing casualties for the pirates. Yang and Jensen fight over a moral disagreement about hanging a pirate, with Ross finally intervening. As a result of his psychological problems and drug use, Ross reluctantly releases Jensen from the Expendables. The team then travels to New Orleans where they are stationed.
Ross and rival mercenary leader Trent Mauser (Arnold Schwarzenegger) visit a church to meet a man, who takes the name "Mr. Church" (Bruce Willis). Church offers them a mission in Vilena, a fictional island in between the Gulf of Mexico and South America, to overthrow a brutal dictator, General Garza (David Zayas). Busy with other things, Trent gives the contract to Ross. Meanwhile, Christmas visits his girlfriend, Lacy (Charisma Carpenter), whom he discovers has left him for another man. He leaves in a fit of rage, while Lacy insists her actions occurred because she does not see Christmas often and does not even know what he does for a living.
Ross and Christmas fly to Vilena to do initial reconnaissance after meeting their contact, Sandra (Gisele Itié), only for the mission to go awry. Ross learns that Garza is backed by ruthless ex-CIA agent James Munroe (Eric Roberts) as well as his henchmen Paine (Steve Austin) and The Brit (Gary Daniels), who manipulate and keep Garza in power by making his people fear him. Sandra is revealed to be Garza's daughter. Ross decides to abort and causes casualties among the army as they escape, but Sandra refuses to leave. Meanwhile, a vengeful Jensen approaches Garza and Munroe to help their side.
Christmas visits Lacy again to find that her new boyfriend has beaten her up. Christmas beats him and his friends, showing Lacy what he does for a living and winning her over. Later, Ross, Christmas, and Yang deduce that Mr. Church is a member of the CIA and that the real target is Munroe, as the CIA could not kill one of their own by sending in the special forces or the Navy Seals. Ross meets mission coordinator and former teammate Tool (Mickey Rourke) to vent his feelings of guilt. Tool makes an emotional confession to Ross about letting a woman commit suicide during the Bosnian War, and how he felt that if he had saved her, he could've saved what was left of his soul. Hearing this, Ross decides to go back for Sandra, telling Christmas and Yang he will do it alone. Yang however tags along; while driving they are chased on the road by Jensen in a shootout. The pursuit ends in an abandoned warehouse, where Yang and Jensen fight a second time. Jensen attempts to impale Yang on a pipe, only to be shot by Ross. A wounded Jensen, believing he is about to die, makes amends and gives the layout of Garza's palace. Ross boards the plane with Yang and finds the rest of team, ready to aid their friend.
The Expendables infiltrate Garza's compound. Christmas, Yang, Caesar, and Toll plant explosive charges throughout the site. When Garza has a change of heart after Munroe tortures his daughter and realized he had changed for the worst, Munroe kills him for his treachery, causing Garza's loyal men to think it was the Expendables who killed him and scatter in rage. The entire team fights and shoots their way through Garza's soldiers. Ross and Caesar manage to destroy the helicopter Munroe was to escape on. Christmas and Yang manage to kill The Brit while Toll kills Paine. Ross and Christmas catch up to Munroe and kill him, saving Sandra. Instead of taking the payment for the mission, Ross gives it to Sandra to restore Vilena. The team travels back to New Orleans and celebrate their victory at Tool's tattoo parlor, with the reformed and recovering Jensen. Christmas and Tool challenge each other to a game of knife throwing and Christmas recites a limerick about his respect for Tool, walking through the door into the street, turning, then throwing a bull's eye.
Ross and rival mercenary leader Trent Mauser (Arnold Schwarzenegger) visit a church to meet a man, who takes the name "Mr. Church" (Bruce Willis). Church offers them a mission in Vilena, a fictional island in between the Gulf of Mexico and South America, to overthrow a brutal dictator, General Garza (David Zayas). Busy with other things, Trent gives the contract to Ross. Meanwhile, Christmas visits his girlfriend, Lacy (Charisma Carpenter), whom he discovers has left him for another man. He leaves in a fit of rage, while Lacy insists her actions occurred because she does not see Christmas often and does not even know what he does for a living.
Ross and Christmas fly to Vilena to do initial reconnaissance after meeting their contact, Sandra (Gisele Itié), only for the mission to go awry. Ross learns that Garza is backed by ruthless ex-CIA agent James Munroe (Eric Roberts) as well as his henchmen Paine (Steve Austin) and The Brit (Gary Daniels), who manipulate and keep Garza in power by making his people fear him. Sandra is revealed to be Garza's daughter. Ross decides to abort and causes casualties among the army as they escape, but Sandra refuses to leave. Meanwhile, a vengeful Jensen approaches Garza and Munroe to help their side.
Christmas visits Lacy again to find that her new boyfriend has beaten her up. Christmas beats him and his friends, showing Lacy what he does for a living and winning her over. Later, Ross, Christmas, and Yang deduce that Mr. Church is a member of the CIA and that the real target is Munroe, as the CIA could not kill one of their own by sending in the special forces or the Navy Seals. Ross meets mission coordinator and former teammate Tool (Mickey Rourke) to vent his feelings of guilt. Tool makes an emotional confession to Ross about letting a woman commit suicide during the Bosnian War, and how he felt that if he had saved her, he could've saved what was left of his soul. Hearing this, Ross decides to go back for Sandra, telling Christmas and Yang he will do it alone. Yang however tags along; while driving they are chased on the road by Jensen in a shootout. The pursuit ends in an abandoned warehouse, where Yang and Jensen fight a second time. Jensen attempts to impale Yang on a pipe, only to be shot by Ross. A wounded Jensen, believing he is about to die, makes amends and gives the layout of Garza's palace. Ross boards the plane with Yang and finds the rest of team, ready to aid their friend.
The Expendables infiltrate Garza's compound. Christmas, Yang, Caesar, and Toll plant explosive charges throughout the site. When Garza has a change of heart after Munroe tortures his daughter and realized he had changed for the worst, Munroe kills him for his treachery, causing Garza's loyal men to think it was the Expendables who killed him and scatter in rage. The entire team fights and shoots their way through Garza's soldiers. Ross and Caesar manage to destroy the helicopter Munroe was to escape on. Christmas and Yang manage to kill The Brit while Toll kills Paine. Ross and Christmas catch up to Munroe and kill him, saving Sandra. Instead of taking the payment for the mission, Ross gives it to Sandra to restore Vilena. The team travels back to New Orleans and celebrate their victory at Tool's tattoo parlor, with the reformed and recovering Jensen. Christmas and Tool challenge each other to a game of knife throwing and Christmas recites a limerick about his respect for Tool, walking through the door into the street, turning, then throwing a bull's eye.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)