Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (10 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry. In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, six Kerala State Film Awards, and fourteen Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.
Lohithadas made his debut as a screenwriter with Thaniyavarthanam (1987). He has written screenplays for 35 films in a 24-year-long career, such as Ezhuthapurangal (1987), Vicharana (1988), Kireedam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), Mrugaya (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Sasneham (1990), Bharatham (1991), Amaram (1991), Aadhaaram (1992), Kamaladalam (1992), Vatsalyam (1993), Venkalam (1993), Padheyam (1993), Chenkol (1993), Chakoram (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), and Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999). He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi (1997). He later wrote and directed Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000),Soothradharan(2001) and Kasthooriman (2003).
Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', as he is often referred to) was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of Lakshmi and Karunakaran of the Ambazhathuparambil house. He considered Chalakudy as his base for most of his writings and centered himself with his friends during his stays in his hometown.
Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniyavarthanam, directed by Sibi Malayil. Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several Malayalam movies together. His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Dasharatham (1989), Kireedam (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Bharatham (1990), Dhanam (1991), Kamaladalam (1992), and Chenkol (1993). Other works include Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999), Sasneham (1990) for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram, Venkalam(1991) for Bharathan.
He later became a filmmaker and made works such as Bhoothakkannadi (1997), Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Arayannangalude Veedu (2000), Joker (2000),Soothradharan(2001) Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and Nivedyam (2007).
Most of his works were critically and commercially successful. His works were recognised from his very first venture Thaniyavarthanam, which brought him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.
Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.
On 28 June 2009, Lohithadas, 54, died of a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for a few years. His body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours. He is survived by his wife Sindhu and their two sons, Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.
1998 – Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director – Bhoothakannadi
1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam
1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi
1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi
2005 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light – Kasthuri Maan
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
1989 – Best Screenplay – Dasharatham
1991 – Best Screenplay – Bharatham
1996 – Best Screenplay – Sallapam, Thooval Kottaram
1997 – Second Best Film – Bhoothakkannadi