Director KP Kumaran

K P KUMARAN has been at the vanguard of the parallel cinema movement and his films reflect his deep commitment to female empowerment. All his films from the landmark Athithi (1974) to the National award winning Rugmini (1988) and Thotram, recipient of Suvarna Chakoram Award for Writing at the International Film Festival Of Kerala 2001, have female protagonists at the core of the films. His first independent venture – the 100 Second Rock won the coveted gold medal at ASIA 72 Film Festival.

Athithi, his first feature film as director, based on the breaking free of a strong woman from her indecisive and weak husband to chart her own destiny, has often been described by critics as one of the best films ever made in Malayalam. KP Kumaran collaborated on the screenplay of Swayamvaram that also saw the debut of Bharat Gopy onscreen. 35 years later, Bharat Gopy became part of his feature onscreen, Aakashagopuram. It would sadly, be their last collaboration.