EMINENT DIRECTOR HARIKUMAR PASSES AWAY; KERALA CM OFFERS CONDOLENCES
Noted director and screenwriter Harikumar passed away on Monday evening at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing intense treatment for the same. He was 68.
An Illustrious Career
Throughout his illustrious career, Harikumar impressed the Malayalam film industry with his exceptional talent. With his pen, he crafted the narratives of over 20 films, weaving stories that deeply resonated with the audience. From screenplay to dialogues, his contributions enriched the landscape of literature to cinema narratives. Harikumar, known as the 'director of litterateurs', brought to life the stories and screenplays of eminent writers such as Perumbadavam Sreedharan, Balachandran Chullikkad, MT Vasudevan Nair, and M. Mukundan.
Pinarayi Vijayan Offers Condolences
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences and shared a statement regarding the late director's contributions to the Malayalam film industry. In his statement, Pinarayi Vijayan wrote, "Harikumar was a significant figure in the Malayalam film industry, recognised for his adept fusion of artistic and commercial values. He played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between mainstream and artistic cinema, demonstrating the potential for alternative cinema free from commercial compromises. With a career spanning forty years, he presented eighteen films covering diverse themes."
Harikumar made his debut with Ambalapoovu in 1981, starring Sukumari and Jagathi Sreekumar as the main leads. His 1994 release, Sukrutham, which was based on M.T. Vasudevan Nair's script, received acclaim from both audiences and critics alike. Mammootty and Gautami portrayed the main characters in Sukrutham, which won the National Award for Best Malayalam Film.