Suresh Babu (screenwriter)

S Suresh Babu (born 30 May 1967) is an Indian film screenwriter and artist who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut as a writer in the movie Dada Sahib in the year 2000, with Director Vinayan and actor Mammootty. Since then, he has worked on movies like Shikkar (2010), Thiruvambadi Thamban (2012), Nadan (2013), Jalam (2016) and Oruthee (2022). The movie Oruthee[1] acted by Navya Nair marked her return to Malayalam cinema after 10 years and it was a commercial success.

S Suresh Babu
S Suresh Babu
Born (1967-05-30) 30 May 1967 (age 57)
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active2005–present
SpouseSindhu K Suresh

Career

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Suresh Babu, an accomplished alumnus of the renowned College of Fine Arts in Trivandrum, commenced his career as a columnist and writer with leading Malayalam newspapers and magazines. His foray into Malayalam cinema dates back over three decades to the year 1990 when he made his debut as an art director in the film Vembanad, directed by Kaviyoor Sivaprasad and featuring the iconic Malayalam actress, Ms. Jayabharathi in the lead role. This experimental film without dialogues won Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award in 1990. This movie also boasts the involvement of renowned Indian film professionals; cinematography is done by Ashwini Kaul,[2] editing by Renu Saluja and music by Louis Banks.

Since then, Suresh has contributed significantly to the Malayalam film industry, scripting and screenwriting numerous commercial blockbusters[3] alongside renowned directors and producers. Some of his notable works include Dada Sahib with Mammootty, Shikkar, Thandavam and Kanal, with Mohanlal, Nadan, Thiruvambadi Thamban, and Sir C.P with Jayaram, Film Star, The Reporter, Jalam, Oruthee and Live.

In addition to his achievements in filmmaking, Suresh Babu has earned acclaim in the industry, receiving the Film Critics award for best writer for the film-related article. With a career spanning over three decades, Suresh ventures into the world of film production as well.[4]

As an Artist

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In addition to his career in the film industry, Suresh Babu has also gained recognition as an accomplished illustrator. He collaborated with prestigious Malayalam magazines, including Mangalam, Vanitha, and D.C. Books (Printed Magazines).

Suresh Babu is a curated painter in his own right, and his artworks have found their way into the boardrooms, lobbies, and drawing rooms of various corporate companies and heritage hotels across Kerala. One of his most acclaimed projects consisted of a series of 100 paintings depicting the history of the Travancore Kingdom, which are displayed at the Travancore Hotel in Cochin.

As a specialist in caricature art, Suresh Babu's most renowned collection features 75 caricatures of the living legend of Indian cinema, the superstar of the Malayalam industry, Mr Mohanlal. These caricatures are based on the unforgettable characters portrayed by Mohanlal during his illustrious four-decade career. In tribute to this iconic actor, Malayala Manorama launched an online mobile app[5] named "VESl" (which stands for "Roles & Looks of Life"), showcasing his most celebrated characters, filmography, Suresh Babu's caricatures of his cinematic roles.

He also worked as Freelance Columnist in Chithrabhumi, Mathrubhumi, Madhyamam and Rashtra Deepika Cinema.

Early life

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Suresh Babu was born in Vallamkulam, Pathanamthitta. He attended National High School, Vallamkulam, and completed his pre-degree education at Marthoma College, Thiruvalla and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Fine Arts College, Thiruvanathapuram in 1991.

Personal life

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Suresh Babu is married to Sindhu. K Suresh and they have two children.

Filmography

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Year Title Director Credited as Notes
Story Screenplay Dialogue
2000 Dada Sahib Vinayan No Yes Yes
2002 Thandavam Shaji Kailas Yes Yes Yes
2005 Five Fingers Sanjeev Raj Yes Yes Yes
2008 Swarnam Venugopan Yes Yes Yes
2009 Swapnamaalika KA Devarajan No Yes Yes
2010 Shikkar M Padmakumar Yes Yes Yes
2011 The Filmstaar Sanjeev Raj Yes Yes Yes
2012 Thiruvambadi Thampan M Padmakumar Yes Yes Yes
2013 Nadan Kamal Yes Yes Yes [6]
2015 The Reporter Venugopan Yes Yes Yes
Sir CP Shajoon Karyal Yes Yes Yes [7]
Kanal M Padmakumar Yes Yes Yes [8]
2016 Jalam M Padmakumar Yes Yes Yes
2022 Oruthee V. K. Prakash Yes Yes Yes
2023 Live V. K. Prakash Yes Yes Yes
Manoharanum Janakiyum Suresh Babu No No No Announced [9]
2024 Arabikkadalinte Rani M Padmakumar, Suresh Babu Yes Yes Yes

Awards

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NCERT National award for best Illustrator in 1998.

State Award for best Illustrator for Children.

Bhima balasahithya award for best Children's Illustration in 1967 and 1996.

References

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  1. ^ "ഒരു ക്ലീഷേക്കും പിറകെ പോകാന്‍ 'ഒരുത്തീ'ക്ക് നേരമില്ല S Suresh Babu, Oruthee, The Cue". YouTube. 20 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Ashwini Kaul". imdb.
  3. ^ "List of Malayalam Movies screenplay written by S Suresh Babu".
  4. ^ "S Suresh Babu ventures into production; six films announced". cinemaexpress. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  5. ^ "Veshangal- The Lives of an Actor - മോഹൻലാൽ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  6. ^ "'Nadan' review: Kamal succeeds in portraying troubles dogging theatre". Deccanchronicle. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  7. ^ "Sir C P Movie Review". Timesofindia. Retrieved 2015-04-24.
  8. ^ "'Kanal': An ember out in the cold". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  9. ^ "അഭിനേതാക്കൾക്ക് പുറമേ സാങ്കേതിക വിദഗ്ധരെയും തേടി മനോഹരനും ജാനകിയും". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2023-01-06.
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