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Renji Panicker

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Renji Panicker
Born (1960-09-23) 23 September 1960 (age 64)
Nedumudi, Kerala, India
Other namesRenji
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • singer
  • lyricist
  • actor
  • film producer
  • poet
  • journalist
Years active1990–present
SpouseAneeta Marium Thomas
Children2

Renji Panicker (born 23 September 1960[1]) is an Indian actor, scriptwriter, director, film producer, and journalist best known for his Malayalam films. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005.[2]

Early life

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He did B.Com from SD College, Alappuzha and certificate in Journalism from Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram. He earned MCJ from Kerala University.[3]

Career

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Panicker began his career as a journalist. He started off as a reporter for magazines and publications. During an interview, while working for Chithrabhumi, a film magazine, he met director Shaji Kailas. Renji scripted several films for Shaji Kailas, including Dr. Pasupathy (1990), Thalastaanam (1992), Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993), Ekalavyan (1993), Mafia (1993), Commissioner (1994), and The King (1995). The Renji Panicker-Shaji Kailas team elevated Suresh Gopi into a bankable lead actor during the early 1990s. He is known for his collaboration with director Joshiy, which included the films Lelam (1997) and Pathram (1999). He became a film director and directed two films. He is one of the managing directors of the Malayalam newspaper Metrovaartha.[citation needed]

Renji has taken several cameo roles in his own films. However, he gained popularity as an actor for his role in Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014). He acted in Njaan (2014), Premam (2015), Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016), Thoppil Joppan (2016), Alamara (2017), Godha (2017) and Bhayanakam (2018).[citation needed]

Personal life

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Renji Panicker was married to Aneeta Mariam Thomas, his classmate at Kerala University.[citation needed] Aneeta died on 10 March 2019, suffering from a kidney ailment. They have twin sons, Nithin and Nikhil, and were living in Alappuzha before moving to Kochi.[4]

Film career

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While interviewing director Shaji Kailas, for a film magazine in 1990, he was impressed by Renji's language and asked him to do a script for him. Renji, who was an active politician since his college days tried out a political satire, Dr. Pasupathy, that turned out to be a hit. But the success of his debut film failed to bring recognition. His next venture Akashakottayile Sulthan, in 1991, directed by Jayaraj, with Sreenivasan in the main role, bombed. This made Renji to rethink film as a career. Upon Kailas' insistence, Renji made another attempt in 1992. Thalastaanam, revolving around campus politics was a hit and marked the beginning of the Shaji-Renji combination.[citation needed]

In the year 1993, Renji penned Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans. Directed by Kailas, this film was a turning point in the life of Jagadish, who was until then slotted into comic roles.[citation needed] Jagadish played the role of a common man who overnight becomes the home minister of the state. Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans completed 150 days in theatres, establishing Renji Panicker as one of the leading script writers in Malayalam cinema. Next was Ekalavyan, released in May 1993. Directed by Kailas, Ekalavyan was an action thriller revolving around the unholy nexus of drug mafia-godmen and politicians. Appearing in the lead role of a police officer, Suresh Gopi established himself as the next star of Malayalam cinema. Ekalavyan completed 150 days in most theatres. Mafia then revolved around Bangalore underworld. Directed by Kailas with Gopi as hero, it was released in 1993, making Renji the most expensive script-writer in Malayalam film.[5]

In 1994, Kailas/Panicker created Commissioner, a police film, which completed a run of 200 days in theatres. Gopi appeared in the title role and the film became the biggest grosser of the year. Shaji/Renji rejoined in 1995, casting Mammootty as the hero of The King, which was released in the end of 1995 was successful. Thereafter the duo parted ways.[6]

Renji, after a long time wrote a script for director Joshi in 1997.[citation needed] Lelam, another action thriller with Gopi as the hero was again a hit. The same team brought out Pathram the next year. Revolving around print media and the politics surrounding it, this flick is best remembered for dialog. The continuous run of hits came to an end in 2001. Renji's combination with Joshi, Dubai bombed. This was followed by Praja, the first time Mohanlal appeared in a Renji film and it completed 100 days in theatres.[citation needed] The back to back set backs forced Renji to take a break for three years. In 2005, he followed with Bharatchandran IPS the sequel of Commissioner, released in 1994. Bharatchandran IPS was his directorial debut. He also co-produced this film. This film crossed 100-day run in all major centres and gave a rebirth to Gopi. Renji's second directorial attempt was Roudram, released in 2008, with Mammootty in the main role, Another police story, this film was a box-office success.[7] Renji's next project was The King & the Commissioner in which Mammootty and Gopi played the lead roles, Joseph Alex I.A.S. and Bharathchandran I.P.S., taken from the films The King and Commissioner. It was directed by Kailas. This film had many expectations, as Mammootty and Gopi were reuniting after many years as were Kailas and Panicker,[8] it becomes a blockbuster and commercial success.[citation needed]

Plots and style

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Panicker's dialogue in Lelam is based on a real-life character while the jingoistic and valorised protagonists in Commissioner (1994) and The King (1995) are considered timeless classics for Malayalam cinema.[9]

Filmography

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As an actor

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Thalastaanam Politician
1993 Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans Politician
Ekalavyan Airport passenger
Mafia Excise/Home Minister Venkidappa
1994 Commissioner Journalist
2014 Pakida Nandakumar
Ohm Shanthi Oshaana Dr. Mathew Devasya
Money Ratnam Isaac
Munnariyippu Mohan Das
Njaan Kuttysankaran
Cousins Doctor Cameo
2015 Picket 43 C.O Vinay Chandran
Aadu Thomas Paappan & Varkey Pappan
Ennum Eppozhum CEO of GM Builders
Ayal Njanalla K.P.K. Menon
Haram Isha's Father
Loham Albert Alex [10]
Premam David Kalapparambath, George's father Cameo
Acha Dhin Home minister Thomas Chacko
Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum Jury committee member
Jamna Pyari Sridharan
Rajamma @ Yahoo Mayor Abraham Pothen
Punchirikku Parasparam Person reading newspaper short film
Anarkali Pappan
Charlie Panicker Doctor Guest appearance
2016 Pavada Paul Scaria
Jacobinte Swargarajyam Jacob
Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti Madhavan
Pa Va Thampuran Johnny
Mohavalayam
Angane Thanne Nethave Anchettannam Pinnale Zachariya
Welcome to Central Jail Gopinath
Oru Muthassi Gadha Dr. Mathew / Mathai
Oppam Padmakumar P, IPS officer
Thoppil Joppan Fr. James Anakattil
Aanandam Diya's father Cameo
Campus Diary Koya Saahib
Ore Mukham Prakashan
2017 Georgettan's Pooram Fr. Mathews Vadakkan
Kadamkatha Sreekumar
Samarpanam
Gemini Dr. Gokul
Alamara Pavithran
1971: Beyond Borders Janardanan
Sakhavu Kuriyachan Cameo
Godha Captain
Clint Writer V K Nambiar
Puthan Panam Iqbal Rowther Cameo
Ramaleela V. G. Madhavan
Viswasapoorvam Mansoor Kalathil Haji
Oru Cinemakkaran Fr. Mathew
Role Models Gautham's father
Villain Commissioner Sreenivasan
Solo Thomas Zachariah Segment: World of Trilok
Masterpiece Edward Livingstone Cameo
2018 Kadha Paranja Kadha
Captain Coach Jafer
Aami S. K. Nair
Krishnam Dr. Sunil
Vallikkudilile Vellakkaran Chief Guest
Kinar
Abrahaminte Santhathikal SP Shahul Hameed
Kuttanadan Marpappa John's father Photo presence
Naam Fr. James Kottayil
Bhayanakam Postman – disabled in World War I
Drama Kunjachan
Ente Ummante Peru Mohammed Hydarali Mehfil Photo appearance and voice
2019 Vijay Superum Pournamiyum Venugopal
Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel DGP K. E. Eappan
Margamkali Urmila's father
Sakalakalashala
Thelivu Ramesh Kumar
Roudram 2018 Narayanan
Kalikoottukkar
Pengalila Koshy Mathew
Athiran Jayanarayana Varma
Oru Yamandan Premakadha Advocate John Kombanayil
Ningal Camera Nireekshanathinlannu
Aniyan Kunjinum Thannalayathu
Mohabbathin Kunjabdulla Thangal
Sachin Ramachandran
Love Action Drama Swathi's father
Ulta
Thakkol Clement
2020 Kalamandalam Hyderali Kalamandalam Hyderali
Forensic Retd. SP Abdul Wahab IPS
2021 Backpackers Rawther
Muddy Master of Hero [11]
Kaaval Antony
2022 Naaradan Govinda Menon
CBI 5: The Brain Balagopal, DYSP, C.B.I.
Kooman Somasekharan, CI
Gold Other bride's father
2023 Kolaambi Abdul Kader [12]
Iru [13]
Section 306 IPC [14]
Otta [15]
Thaal [16]
Bullet Diaries [17]
2024 Little Hearts Johnson [18]
DNA DGP [19]
Secret [20]
Hunt [21]
Kadha Innuvare [22]

Other works

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Year Title Director Writer Notes
1990 Dr. Pasupathy Yes
1991 Aakasha Kottayile Sultan Yes
1992 Thalastaanam Yes
1993 Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans Yes
Ekalavyan Yes
Mafia Yes
1994 Commissioner Yes
1995 The King Yes
1997 Lelam Yes
1999 Pathram Yes
2001 Praja Yes
Dubai Yes
2005 Bharatchandran IPS Yes Yes
2008 Roudram Yes Yes
2012 The King & the Commissioner Yes
TBA Lelam 2 Yes [23]
TBA Untitled Jeethu Joseph film Yes [24]

Distribution

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Year Title language Notes
2017 Orayiram Kinakkalal Malayalam
Adam Joan Malayalam
Kaabil Hindi In Kerala
Raees Hindi In Kerala
TBA Lelam 2 Malayalam Pre production

Television

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Year Title Channel Role Notes
2017–2018 Aniyara Surya TV Host
2019 Nammal Thammil 2 Asianet Host
2019–2020 Jananayakan Amrita TV Judge
2020 Crime Patrol Kairali TV Host
2020-2021 Indulekha Surya TV Ramanadha Menon TV Serial
2021 Votography Kairali TV Co-Host with John Brittas
2022 Naatupaksham Surya TV Host
2023 Masterpeace Disney+ Hotstar Chandichan Web series

Awards and nominations

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Won
Nominations

References

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  1. ^ "Renji Panicker: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Renji Panicker's next flick". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008.
  3. ^ "Fire Brand @25" (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. ^ [1] Archived 1 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Renji Panicker busy scripting two mammoth projects". 2 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Renji Panicker – Movies, biography, News, Age & Photos". BookMyShow.
  7. ^ BizHat.com – Roudram Review. Mammootty, Manju, Lalu Alex, Saikumar, Vijayaraghavan, Rajan.P.Dev, Janardhanan, Shammi Thilakan, Subair, T.P.Madhavan, Jayakrishnan, Spadikam George, Maya Moushmi, Urmila Unni. Movies.bizhat.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ^ Day of the action heroes. The Hindu (22 March 2012). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  9. ^ Fire Brand @25 – Page 3. mangalam.com.
  10. ^ Thomas, Pramod (22 August 2015). "When Film-makers Prefer Shadow Walking". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Malayalam action thriller Muddy to release on December 10". The New Indian Express. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Nithya Menen-starrer Kolaambi's trailer is here". Cinema Express. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Othello adaptation Iru is a tale of caste politics". Cinema Express. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Renji Panicker and Shanthi Krishna to play lead roles in 'Section 306 IPC'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  15. ^ "Otta trailer: Resul Pookutty's star-studded directorial debut promises some intense drama". Cinema Express. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Anson Paul's 'Thaal' trailer unveils gripping psychological thriller inspired by real events". The Times of India. 7 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan and Prayaga Martin join Santosh Mandoor-directed Bullet Diaries". The New Indian Express. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  18. ^ Features, C. E. (4 May 2024). "Shane Nigam's Little Hearts gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  19. ^ Features, C. E. (11 May 2024). "Raai Laxmi's DNA gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  20. ^ Features, C. E. (10 July 2024). "SN Swamy's directorial debut Secret gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Bhavana Menon teams up with Kaapa director Shaji Kailas for a thriller titled Hunt". India Today. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  22. ^ Features, C. E. (24 August 2024). "Kadha Innuvare release date announced". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  23. ^ George, Anjana. "Suresh Gopi to play 'Chackochi' and Gokul Suresh 'Kochu Chackochi' in Lelam 2". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Renji Panicker to team up with Jeethu Joseph for his next film". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
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