Priyadarshan Soman Nair is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning almost three decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Though he began his career in Malayalam cinema in 1984, Priyadarshan has been mainly active in Hindi cinema for 2001-2010. However, in 2013, he announced Rangrezz would be his last Hindi film for a while; and he is shifting focus to Malayalam Cinema.Best known for his comedy films, Priyadrshan has also tried his hand at action and thriller films from time to time. His collaborations with Mohanlal were highly popular in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, with films such as Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Thalavattam, Vellanakalude Nadu, Chithram, Vandanam, Kilukkam, ;Abhimanyu, Mithunam, Thenmavin Kombath, and Kala Pani. Actors he has worked with over several films include Kuthiravattam Pappu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Sukumari, Mukesh and Mammukoya.Priyadarshan was one of the first directors in India to introduce rich color grading, clear sound and quality dubbing through his early Malayalam films. Upon entering Bollywood, he has mostly adapted stories from popular comedy films from Malayalam cinema, some from his own work and some from others. These include Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, Dhol, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Actors he has worked with multiple times in Hindi cinema include Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Akshaye Khanna, and Suniel Shetty.In 2007, his Tamil film Kanchivaram won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The government of India honoured him by giving the Padma Shri in 2012 for his contribution towards the arts.
Married since 13. December 1990 with Actress Lizy.
3
Was directing ABCL's " Dariya" Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Chandrachur Singh. The film got shelved.
4
He met his wife, Malayalam actress Lizy, on the set of his second film. They have done 12 movies together, though she has quit acting now.
5
Won the Kerala State Award for Best Director in 1995. He also directed Thenmavin Kombath (1994), which won for Best Film With Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.
6
Aside from Malayalam films, has also directed Hindi (Gardish and Muskurahat), Tamil (Gopura Vaasililae) and Telugu movies (Nirnayam).
7
Films were never his first choice - he used to play a lot of cricket, but an injury to his left eye where a ball hit him ended his hopes of a career in cricket.
8
Actor Mohanlal, his college friend, urged him to get into movies.
$13 Million
