Priyadarshan

Priyadarshan Soman Nair (born 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked primarily in Malayalam and Hindi cinema since 1982, directing over 90 films in multiple Indian languages, with notable works in Tamil and Telugu. Known for variety of genre films, he has received several accolades, including three National Film Awards, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2012. He began his cinematic journey in the early 1980s, primarily working in Malayalam cinema. He directed several notable films during this period, including Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Thalavattam (1986), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Chithram (1988), Vandanam (1989), and Kilukkam (1991). Throughout the 1990s, he continued directing successful films such as Abhimanyu (1991), Mithunam (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Kaalapaani (1996), Chandralekha (1997), and Megham (1999). While working in Malayalam cinema, Priyadarshan also made his foray into Bollywood with the action thrillers Gardish (1994) and Virasat (1997). In the 2000s, he gained widespread recognition in Bollywood for his Hindi adaptations of Malayalam films, particularly in the comedy genre. Some of his most notable Bollywood films include Hera Pheri (2000), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke (both 2006), Dhol, Bhool Bhulaiyaa (both 2007), De Dana Dan (2009), Khatta Meetha (2010), and Bhooth Bangla (2026).