Filmmaker Ranjith is revered for his realistic films, such as Kaiyoppu and Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. However, do you know that Ranjith is equally well known for his mass and masala films as a scriptwriter and director? He started out as a screenwriter with 1988’s Witness before eventually building writing credits for films such as Devasuram and Aaraam Thampuran, among others. In an old interview with Nere Chovve, host Johny Lukose asked Ranjith whether he became a director because he got Mohanlal's date. In response, the filmmaker said, “It is not like I got Mohanlal's date, but he asked me to do a film with him. I first had the desire to direct a film when Aaraam Thampuran released in theatres. Otherwise, if I had done a film, it would have starred Kuthiravattam Pappu and Sukumari chechi. That project did not materialise because of Pappu ettan’s death.”
Ranjith made his directorial debut with 2001’s Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to 1993’s Devasuram. The filmmaker disclosed that he gained the confidence to do a mainstream film such as Ravanaprabhu thanks to Mohanlal's encouragement. “I knew that it was a big responsibility to direct a mainstream film with Mohanlal, but he told me ‘You could do it.’”
Ranjith is the screenplay writer for many of Mohanlal's films, also including Maya Mayuram, Ustaad, and Narasimham.
Starring Mohanlal in a dual role, Ravanaprabhu is set to hit theatres again this Friday in a 4K restored version.
