Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (10 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry.^[1][2] In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, six Kerala State Film Awards, and fourteen Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.^[3]

Lohithadas made his debut as a screenwriter with Thaniyavarthanam (1987). He has written screenplays for 35 films in a 24-year-long career, such as Vicharana (1988), Ezhuthapurangal (1988), Kireedam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), Mrugaya (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Sasneham (1990), Bharatham (1991), Amaram (1991), Aadhaaram (1992), Kamaladalam (1992), Vatsalyam (1993), Venkalam (1993), Padheyam (1993), Chenkol (1993), Chakoram (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), and Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999).^[4] He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi (1997). He later wrote and directed Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000), and Kasthooriman (2003).^[5] He died on 28 June 2009 due to a heart attack.^[6]

Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', as he is often referred to) was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of Ambazhathuparambil Karunakaran and Lakshmi.^{[citation needed]}

Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil".^{[citation needed]} Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several Malayalam movies.^{[citation needed]} His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Dasharatham (1989), Kireedam (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Bharatham (1990), Dhanam (1991), Kamaladalam (1992), and Chenkol (1993). Other works include Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999), Sasneham (1990) for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram, Venkalam(1991) for Bharathan.^{[citation needed]}

He later became a filmmaker and made works such as Bhoothakkannadi (1997), Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Arayannangalude Veedu (2000), Joker (2000), Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and Nivedyam (2007).^[7] Most of his works were critically and commercially successful. His works were recognised from his very first venture Thaniyavarthanam, which brought him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.^{[citation needed]}

"Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.^{[citation needed]}

On 28 June 2009, Lohithadas, 54, died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for two-three years.^[8][9] His body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours.^{[citation needed]} He is survived by his wife Sindhu and two sons named Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.

National Film Awards

• 1998 – Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director – Bhoothakannadi^[10]

Kerala State Film Awards

• 1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam^[11]
• 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi^[12]
• 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi^[12]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• 2005 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light – Kasthuri Maan^[13]

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards^[14]

• 1989 – Best Screenplay – Dasharatham
• 1991 – Best Screenplay – Bharatham
• 1996 – Best Screenplay – Sallapam, Thooval Kottaram
• 1997 – Second Best Film – Bhoothakkannadi
• 1997 – Best Story – Bhoothakkannadi
• 1998 – Second Best Film – Ormacheppu
• 1998 – Best Screenplay – Ormacheppu
• 1998 – Second Best Film – Nivedyam
• 1999 – Best Screenplay – Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
• 2003 – Second Best Film – Kasthooriman

Asianet Film Award

• 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal^{[citation needed]}