Malayalam Director And Screenwriter Biju Vattappara Dies Aged 54

Leaving a permanent void in the Malayalam film industry, renowned director and screenwriter Biju Vattappara breathed his last in Kerala on May 13. As reported by India Today, the 54-year-old director and screenwriter collapsed while visiting a lawyer in Muvattupuzha. Despite efforts to promptly rush him to a nearby hospital, he succumbed on the way to the hospital. As of now, his remains are being kept at the Muvattupuzha Taluk Hospital, reported Mathrubhumi.

Soon after his demise, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors Union mourned his loss. Expressing condolences over the demise of the director, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, “Saddened by the demise of Biju Vattappara, the renowned Malayalam filmmaker and writer. His versatility is shown brightly through the works he did, be they movies, television serials, or documentaries. My heartfelt condolences to his family members in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.”

The director left a commendable mark on the Malayalam entertainment industry with his directorial ventures and screenplays in movies, television serials, and documentaries. His films, Raama Raavanan and Swantham Bharya Zindabad catapulted him to both critical acclaim and popular recognition.

Biju was also a popular screenwriter, known for his screenplays for films like Lokanathan IAS, and Kalabham. His last work was the script for the Urvashi-starrer comedy-drama film My Dear Mummy. In addition to his screenwriting and directorial achievements, his storytelling abilities extended beyond films. He authored several novels, such as Chakkara Vava, Velutha Kathreena and Shankupusham. Later, these novels were adapted into successful television serials.

Apart from novel writing, he also wrote and published poetries like Edavyi and Thumbapoovum. Among his many accolades, Biju Vattappara was honoured with the Film Critics Award and the prestigious Kuttikrishnan Sahitya Award for his poetry collection, Idavazhiyum Thumbapoovum, further solidifying his place in the literary landscape. Biju Vattappara was also a member of the Kerala Library Association and the State Council of the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham.