B. Unnikrishnan
{{short description|Indian film director, screenwriter, film distributor, exhibitor and producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = B Unnikrishnan
| image = B. Unnikrishnan.jpg
| birth_name = Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran Pillai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1970|08|14}}
| birth_place = Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|producer/distributor|Exhibitor|writer}}
| years_active = 1999 – present
| spouse = Rajeswari Menon
| children =
| relatives = Mohanlal {{cite video |people=24 News |date=2025-03-23 |title=പ്രകൃതിയോട് ചേർന്ന് പഴമ കൈവിടാതെ മോഹൻലാലിൻറെ തറവാട് വീട് |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=1zTaC-AaaBdWUAAy&v=H8iRlz__KC4&feature=youtu.be |access-date=2025-03-23 |time=6:13 |publisher=YouTube Channel Name}}
}}
Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran Pillai (born 14 August 1970), known mononymously as B Unnikrishnan, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, distributor and exhibitor who works in the Malayalam film industry.
Early life
Unnikrishnan. B. was born on 14 August 1970 in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala to Bhaskaran Pillai and Ponnamma Bhaskaran Pillai.{{cite web|title=ബി. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണന്റെ ജന്മദിനം|url=http://www.dcbooks.com/august-14.html|publisher=DC Books|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171025110231/http://www.dcbooks.com/august-14.html|archive-date=25 October 2017|language=ml|url-status=live}} He married to Rajeswari Menon, a professor.{{Cite news |date=2012-12-21 |title=I love cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
Career
He began his film career in 1999 by writing the screenplay of Jalamarmaram directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar, which won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay that year. The film dealt with the politics of water and environmentalism. In 2000, his screenplay Cover Story directed by G. S. Vijayan was released. It was a box office failure.{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=I love cinema|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=21 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171024113144/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live}} He was the screenwriter of the thriller Black and White, a television serial telecast in Asianet in 2004, which won two Kerala State Television Awards.{{cite news|last=Manmadhan|first=Prema|title=Pangs of love|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/04/29/stories/2005042902490200.htm|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=29 April 2005}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news |author= |date=4 November 2005 |title='Avicharitham' wins five State television awards |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110411240400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501235847/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110411240400.htm |archive-date=1 May 2009 |access-date=24 October 2017 |work=The Hindu}} The serial was directed by Viji Thampi.{{cite web|last1=Unni|first1=Deepa|title=Viji Thampy|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=6005580&cid=2406|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025023424/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=6005580&cid=2406|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2017|website=Sify|access-date=24 October 2017}} in 2004, he wrote and directed a telefilm titled Antharangal, which won the Kerala state television award for the best telefilm. In 2005, he wrote, produced and directed a telefilm, Annum Mazhayayirunnu which was aired by Amrita TV. The Hindu wrote "The suspense that is maintained throughout the short movie, despite it being set in a domestic, sylvan setting, goes to the credit of the carefully crafted script". The telefilm won six Kerala State Television Awards, including Best Telefilm and Best screenplay for Unnikrishnan.{{cite news |author= |date=7 May 2006 |title=Siddique, Ambili Devi adjudged best TV actors |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/siddique-ambili-devi-adjudged-best-tv-actors/article3129832.ece |access-date=24 October 2017 |work=The Hindu}}
He scripted Shaji Kailas-directorial action film Shivam in 2002 and the thriller film The Tiger in 2005,{{cite news|last=Manmadan|first=Prema|title=It's all about mind games|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/16/stories/2005121600370400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310181259/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/16/stories/2005121600370400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2007|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=16 December 2005}} the latter starring Suresh Gopi was successful.{{cite news|title=After 'The King and the Commissioner', actor Suresh Gopi to star in Shaji Kailas' next action flick|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/after-the-king-and-the-commissioner-actor-suresh-gopi-to-star-in-shaji-kailas-next-action-flick-733383.html|access-date=24 October 2017|work=News18|date=29 December 2014}} He made his feature film directorial debut in 2006 with the action film Smart City. His second directorial Madampi starring Mohanlal was a blockbuster . Unlike his previous films, Madampi was a family drama that told the story of a money lender in a village.{{cite news|last=പ്രതീഷ്|first=ടി. എസ്.|title=മാടമ്പിയെക്കുറിച്ച് ബി. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണൻ|url=http://archives.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/10995/|access-date=24 October 2017|work=Mathrubhumi|date=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171024165042/http://archives.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/10995|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=dead}} In 2009, he scripted and directed the action police story I. G. – Inspector General starring Suresh Gopi. The film talked issues like terrorism and communal politics.{{cite news|author=Staff reporter|title=No fears of being typecast: Suresh Gopi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/No-fears-of-being-typecast-Suresh-Gopi/article16611181.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=8 April 2009}} In the same year, he wrote and directed the segment Aviramam in the anthology film Kerala Cafe.{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Review:Kerala Cafe|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kerala-caf-review-malayalam-pclxtkiedhaca.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701144138/http://www.sify.com/movies/kerala-caf-review-malayalam-pclxtkiedhaca.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2016|website=Sify|access-date=24 October 2017|date=30 October 2009}} In 2010, he scripted and directed the political satire Pramani starring Mammootty as a corrupt panchayat president,{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Follow the leader|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Follow-the-leader/article16614576.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=25 March 2010}} which was a box office failure.{{cite web|title=Kerala Box-Office- March 1 to April 13|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14938600&cid=14625530|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618102614/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14938600&cid=14625530|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2014|website=Sify|access-date=24 October 2017|date=15 April 2010}}It was followed by the action film The Thriller, an investigative story starring Prithviraj Sukumaran as a cop.
His directorial crime thriller Grandmaster released in 2012 was written by himself starring Mohanlal as a loner cop who is challenged to investigate a crime. Not only that it was a financial success, but it showed Mohanlal in a totally different look and style.{{cite news|last1=Nagarajan|first1=Saraswathy|title=Grandmaster in Hindi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/grandmaster-in-hindi/article3605693.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=5 July 2012}} Grandmaster was the first Malayalam film produced by UTV and it is also the first Malayalam film to be released in Netflix, apart from its theatrical release.{{cite news|last=Prakash|first=Asha|title=How about paying for viewing films online?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/How-about-paying-for-viewing-films-online/articleshow/16322780.cms|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Times of India|date=10 September 2010}} It was followed by I Love Me, a romantic thriller written by Sethu, that revolves around a group of youngsters.{{cite news|last=George|first=Vijay|title=Selfless acts|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/selfless-acts/article4054345.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=1 November 2012}} In 2015, he wrote and directed the heist film Mr. Fraud, starring Mohanlal, which was a commercial failure.{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Mr. Fraud comes to town|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/mr-fraud-comes-to-town/article6011835.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=15 May 2014}}
Unnikrishnan forayed into production and distribution with his company, RD Illuminations, which acquired and released the Malayalam dubbed versions of Sarrainodu (2016), Fidaa (2017), DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), and Bhaagamathie (2018).{{cite news|last=Nair|first=Sree Prasad|title=After Allu Arjun's Yodhavu and Dhruvaraja Jagannadh, B Unnikrishnan to score hat-trick of hits with Fidaa|url=http://www.catchnews.com/regional-cinema/after-allu-arjun-s-yodhavu-and-dhruvaraja-jagannadh-b-unnikrishnan-to-score-hat-trick-of-hits-with-fidaa-80268.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Catch News|date=5 September 2017}} He collaborated with Mohanlal, in 2017, for the crime thriller, Villain. With the film, he introduced Vishal into Malayalam cinema. It was also the first Indian film to be completely shot in 8K resolution.{{cite news|last=Ramachandran|first=Mythily|title=Director Unnikrishnan returns with Mohanlal's 'Villain'|url=http://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/south-india/director-unnikrishnan-returns-with-mohanlal-s-villain-1.2112464|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Gulf News|date=25 October 2017}} After that, he co-produced and distributed the action thriller, Swathandriam Ardharathriyil (2018). It was produced by B. C. Joshy, Lijo Jose Pellissery, and Chemban Vinod Jose. It was a huge success at the box-office.{{cite news|author=Onmanorama staff|title=Angamaly's Vincent Peppe to play Kottayam banker in next|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/18/angamaly-diaries-antony-varghese-unnikrishnan-production-movie.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Malayala Manorama|date=18 August 2017}} In 2019, he wrote and directed the first Malayalam film produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel.It was a commercial success. In 2022, he collaborated with Mohanlal, for the fifth time, with Neyyattinkara Gopante Aaraattu written by Udaykrishna. However, it was critically panned by both the critics and audience, alike and box-office failure. In 2023, he collaborated with Mammootty, for a second time with Christopher written by Udaykrishna, it received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences.{{Cite web |title=Christopher Movie: ക്രിസ്റ്റഫർ കളക്ഷൻ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പുറത്ത്; കേരളത്തിൽ നേടിയത് ഇത്രയും |trans-title=Christopher Movie: Christopher Collection Report Out; Kerala has achieved this much |url=https://zeenews-india-com.translate.goog/malayalam/movies/christopher-movie-first-day-box-office-original-collection-report-126339/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=Zee Malayalam News|date=10 February 2023 }}
Other work
He is the general secretary of Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) since 2008, he was re-elected to the position three times{{mdash}}2010, 2013 and 2017.{{cite news|last=Nayar|first=Parvathy S.|title=B Unnikrishnan is FEFKA general secretary again|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/B-Unnikrishnan-is-FEFKA-general-secretary-again/articleshow/19966845.cms|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Times of India|date=9 May 2013}}{{cite news|title=Fefka office-bearers|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Fefka-office-bearers/article15716709.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=26 November 2010}}{{cite news|title=FEFKA office-bearers elected|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/FEFKA-office-bearers-elected/article16985955.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=4 January 2017}} In 2014, he was elected as the general secretary of All India Film Employees Confederation (AIFEC).{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=I have no political ambitions: says B Unnikrishnan|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/i-have-no-political-ambitions-says-b-unnikrishnan-news-malayalam-oc0rbBaaficsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026011432/http://www.sify.com/movies/i-have-no-political-ambitions-says-b-unnikrishnan-news-malayalam-oc0rbBaaficsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2017|website=Sify|access-date=25 October 2017|ref=26 February 2014|language=en}} He is a member in the advisory committee of Cine Workers' Welfare Board and director of Saamskaarika Kshemanidhi in Kerala. In 2016, he opened the multi-cuisine restaurant named Grandmaster's Kitchen in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, the restaurant was named after his film Grandmaster.{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Five-star dining experience|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/Five-star-dining-experience/article14410329.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=30 June 2016}} He owns the film distribution company RD Illuminations, that debuted in 2016 by releasing Yodhavu in Kerala. He was the managing director of the film post-production studio Vismayas Max and also the multiplex Aries Plex SL Cinemas, a Double-4K 64-channel Dolby Atmos theatre in Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite news|last=Sreekumar|first=Priya|title=Menu card of Unnikrishnanan|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/020616/menu-card-of-unnikrishnanan.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=2 June 2016}} It is the first theatre with Double-4K facility in South India. {{cite news|last=Praveen|first=S. R.|title=Baahubali director to watch his film in city|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/baahubali-director-to-watch-his-film-in-city/article7423949.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=15 July 2015}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title ! colspan="2" | Credited as ! rowspan="2" class="unsortable"| Notes |
|---|
| Director
! Writer |
| 1999
| | {{yes}} | Director: T. K. Rajeev Kumar |
| 2000
| | {{yes}} | Director: G. S. Vijayan |
| 2002
| Shivam | | {{yes}} | Director: Shaji Kailas |
| 2004
| Jana | | {{yes}} | Director: Shaji Kailas; Tamil film debut |
| 2005
| | {{yes}} | Director: Shaji Kailas |
| 2006
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2008
| Madampi | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| Aviramam
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Segment from Kerala Cafe |
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| Pramani | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| The Thriller
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| I Love Me
| {{yes}} | |Writer: Sethu |
| 2014
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2017
| Villain | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2019
| Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |
| 2022
| Aaraattu | {{yes}} | |Writer: Udaykrishna |
| 2023
| {{yes}} | |Writer: Udaykrishna |
| class="wikitable"
|+ List of television credits ! Year ! Title ! Credit ! Network ! Notes |
| 2004
| Black and White | Writer | Asianet | Serial; director: Viji Thampi |
| 2005
| Annu Mazhayayirunnu | Director | Telefilm |
Accolades
= [[Kerala State Film Awards]] =
- 1999: Best Screenplay – Jalamarmaram{{cite web|title=State Film Awards – 1999|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm|publisher=Department of Information and Public Relations|access-date=24 October 2017|page=3|date=1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234157/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}
= Kerala State Television Awards =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=2053461}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unnikrishnan, B.}}
Category:People from Pathanamthitta
Category:Indian male screenwriters
Category:Malayalam screenwriters
Category:Malayalam film directors
Category:Screenwriters from Kerala
Category:Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala alumni
Category:21st-century Indian people
Category:CMS College Kottayam alumni