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Bhadran Mattel (born 22 November 1952)[1] is an Indian filmmaker and writer, whose career spans more than 40 years.[2] Bhadran's body of work addresses such themes as victimization of ill-mannered parenting, concepts of psychological trauma's and redemption, objectification of fatherhood, childhood distresses, intense metaphorical placements of matter and animals, Biblical inspired backdrops, and autocrat Christian culture in typical parts of Kerala.
Bhadran Mattel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas 22 November 1952 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 1982–2005 |
| Spouse | Tessy |
Among the very few filmmakers who ruled Malayalam film industry through the '80s and '90s, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers to introduce thug life glorification of Malayalam superstars on screen, which went on to become the most popular concept of a typical mass film among Kerala film fans. In 1986, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam for Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu and won two more Filmfare's in the Best Director category through Iyer the Great and Spadikam in 1990 and 1995.
Mattel's directed works include the ruffian film Spadikam (1995), the psychic-precognition thriller Iyer the Great (1990), an investigative school drama Olympiyan Anthony Adam (1999), the parenthood of an obese caretaker Uncle Bun (1991), a psychic family drama Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu (1986), the musical Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha (1987), the mighty land tyrant Udayon (2005), Indian political thriller Yuvathurki (1996) and more. Actors Mohanlal and Mammootty became frequent collaborators of Bhadran [3] resulting in award nominations and wins for them both.[4][5]
Career
editHe formally trained in music and won many accolades during his academic years for acting in plays and writing. He always aspired to become a film director.
His struggle to gain a foothold in the fiercely competitive industry bore fruit when he got the opportunity to work as the 8th Assistant Director for Hariharan on Rajahamsam under the banner of Supriya, the production house. Beginning with Rajahamsam, he assisted Hariharan in 14 films, progressing from an apprentice to an associate director.
The first film under his direction was released in 1982. Ente Mohangal Poovaninju, starring Shankar, Mohanlal, Menaka, and Kala Ranjini, received critical appreciation and was popular with audiences. Bhadran's films drew inspiration from the lives of common people, blended with creative surrealism. Changatham (Malayalam), starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Madhavi, was released in 1983 and made ripples on the mainstream cinematic landscape. Bhadran focused on making 2–3 films per year.[6]
The film Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha (A footstep in the aisle), released in 1987, was about a teenage boy that falls in love with an elderly lady, played by Vineeth and Karthika respectively.
Iyer the Great, released in 1990, was a psychological thriller film directed by Bhadran, starring Mamootty and addressing a train accident in Peruman, it became a well-received film in the Malayalam film scene.
Spadikam (Prism), released in 1995, was an action drama film written and directed by Bhadran. The title was chosen to depict the flickering nature of people who keep changing and adapting themselves to exploit situations to suit their needs. The prism splits the white light into a spectrum of seven vibrant colors.[7]
The film was one of the highest-grossing films in Kerala in 1995 and collected around INR 8 Crores. It was also the longest running film of 1995 and ran for 225 days, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Spadikam was Bhadran's most successful commercial film, gaining cult status in Kerala's film culture.
In 2019, Bhadran announced that his next venture will be a film with Mohanlal called Joothan, with whom he will be doing a film after 16 years.[8]
Also in 2019, when film director Biju J. Kattackal announced that he will make the second part of the film Spadikam, Bhadran opposed it, and the project had to be shelved.[9]
Filmography
editDirector
edit| Year | Title | Cast |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Ente Mohangal Poovaninju | Shankar, Mohanlal, Menaka, Kalaranjini |
| 1983 | Changatham | Mammootty, Mohanlal, Madhavi |
| 1984 | Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol | Madhu, Mammooty, Ratheesh |
| 1986 | Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu | Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rahman, Srividya |
| 1987 | Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha | Vineeth, Karthika |
| 1990 | Iyer the Great | Mammootty, Geetha, Ratheesh, Sobhana |
| 1991 | Uncle Bun | Mohanlal, Khushboo, Charmila |
| 1995 | Spadikam | Mohanlal, Urvashi, Thilakan |
| 1996 | Yuvathurki | Suresh Gopi, Vijayashanti, Geetha, Ratheesh |
| 1999 | Olympiyan Anthony Adam | Mohanlal, Meena |
| 2003 | Vellithira | Prithviraj, Navya Nair, Kalabhavan Mani |
| 2005 | Udayon | Mohanlal, Jagathy Sreekumar, Laya, Manoj K. Jayan |
References
edit- ^ "Bhadran | Director, Writer, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director". IMDb. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "List of Film directors from Kottayam district - FamousFix List". FamousFix.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Service, Express News (31 January 2023). "Malayalam filmmaker Bhadran confirms Mohanlal reunion". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Mohanlal Awards List and Nominations | National Awards | Filmfare Awards". www.thecompleteactor.com. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Mammootty Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Mammootty | Times of India Entertainment". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Bhadran, Changatham (Comedy, Drama), Mohanlal, Mammootty, Jagathy Sreekumar, retrieved 4 March 2024
- ^ "Director Bhadran: Spadikam is a film that is inspired by my own life - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Joothan: Mohanlal announces director Bhadran's comeback film". 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Will oppose 'Spadikam 2' release, says Bhadran".