Murali Gopy
Introduction '''Velayudhan Pillai Gopynathan Nair Muralikrishnan''', professionally credited as '''Murali Gopy''', is an Indian actor-screenwriter, producer, author, singer, lyricist, music composer and journalist. He has written films like ''Ee Adutha Kaalathu'', ''Left Right Left'', ''Tiyaan'', ''Kammara Sambhavam'', and the highest-grossing Malayalam film ''Lucifer''. He has won numerous awards including Filmfare Awards South and South Indian International Movie Awards.
Career ===Journalist===Murali Gopy joined ''The New Indian Express'' in 1995, immediately after completing PG in Journalism at Institute of Journalism, Thiruvananthapuram, and worked as sub-editor and reporter there. Later, he joined ''The Hindu'', as sub-editor and Features Editor. He then shifted base to UAE, and became chief sub-editor with Arab-Allied Media, Dubai, for the sports magazines ''Cleanbowled'' and ''Sports Today''. In 2008, he was appointed chief editor of MSN India Entertainment. In 2012, he resigned the job to be more active in films. His writings on various topics can be found in his blog .===Author===Murali is a screenwriter and short story writer. He published his first short story "Ayur Rekha" in ''Kalakaumudi'' in 1991 at the age of 19.He has often stated that he started writing stories to bring a smile to his father, thespian Bharat Gopy, who was debilitated by a massive stroke in 1986. ''Murali Gopiyude Kadhakal'', a compilation of his stories, has been published by Mathrubhumi Books, the third edition of which is now running. He has also sketched illustrations for ''The Hindu'', ''Kalakaumudi'' and ''DC Books''.===Screenwriter===Murali Gopy made his debut as a screenwriter, actor and singer in the Lal Jose movie ''Rasikan'' (2004). The 2012 film ''Ee Adutha Kaalathu'', scripted by Murali, is considered a pathbreaker in Malayalam cinema, for its innovative method of weaving story threads together. It was opined to be "the cinema of 21st century" by stalwart writer N. S. Madhavan. His next screenplay was for ''Left Right Left'', also directed by Arun Kumar Aravind. It is a social thriller set in three periods – the 60s/70s, the 80s/90s and the present. The movie, which opened to excellent reviews on its release, has since then been looked upon as a cult classic. The 2017 movie ''Tiyaan'', written by him was noted for its bold theme that focused on the current socio-political scenario in India. Kammara Sambhavam, scripted by him, combines black humour with satire and spoof. He scripted Lucifer, starring Mohanlal, and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. His latest script 'Theerppu' is note-worthy as an allegorical depiction of majoritarianism.===Actor===Murali's debut acting role in ''Rasikan'' was as the villain Kala Bhaskaran. He returned on-screen as Dr. Alex Verghese in ''Bhramaram''. His notable performances include the role of Ajay Kurien, an impotent and abusive husband in ''Ee Adutha Kaalathu'', Che Guevara Roy, a partially paralyzed left activist in ''Left Right Left'', Father Michael Plathottathil a young priest in ''Kanyaka Talkies'', the double role as Dr.Hari Narayan and Ravi Narayan in the psychological thriller ''1 by Two'', the die-hard romantic Siddharth in ''Lukka Chuppi'', Devassy Pappan, an 80-year-old patriarch in ''Pa Va'', Mahashay Bhagvan, a self-proclaimed Godman in ''Tiyaan'', Madhava Das, the husband of Kamala Das (Madhavikkutty), in ''Aami'', and Chellappan, the raw, rustic and retro character from P.Padmarajan's literary world in ''Kaattu''. As an actor, Murali has been praised for his attention to minute details and realistic acting style. His nuanced portrayal of Thomas Bastin IPS in the popular movie ''Drishyam 2 ''was widely acclaimed. His onscreen portrayals have won him many accolades including the 61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Known to be greatly selective, Murali Gopy has worked only in a limited number of movies since his foray into the film industry in 2004, with each role striking a distinctive note.===Singer===Murali has rendered songs for many films. His "The LRL Anthem" in ''Left Right Left'', "Pakalinu Veyil" in ''1 by Two'', "Kalippu" in ''Premam'' and "Bham Bham Shiv Bole" in ''Tiyaan'', were super hits. He has won Asiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing for "LRL Anthem".===Lyricist===Murali Gopy ventured into lyrics writing with the song "Neti" in ''Tiyaan'', which describes the path to spiritual enlightenment. He has also written the Lucifer anthem song "Empuraane", which was sung by Usha Uthup. He penned the theme song of the movie Theerppu called "Raavil"===Music Composer===Murali Gopy made his debut as a music composer with the song ''Raavil'', for the movie ''Theerppu'', which he also scripted and produced.
Personal life Murali is the son of the actor Bharath Gopi and Jayalakshmy. He was married to Anjana Pillai, and has two children, Gowri and Gowrav. Anjana died at the age of 38, on 26 April 2015 after suffering a heart attack.Murali has launched a website in memory of his father Bharath Gopi.
Awards *2022 – Chalachitra Ratna Puraskar, awarded by M.S.Subbulakshmi Foundation*2019 – Ramu Kariat Award for the most popular screenwriter*2019 – Kalajyothi Award*2014 – Amrita Film Award for The Best Actor in Supporting Role*2014 – South Indian International Movie Awards for The Best Actor in Supporting Role*2014 – 61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting Role*2014 – Jaihind Film Award for The Best Script*2014 – Yuva Award (2012–2013)*2013 – Thikkurissi Sukumaran Foundation Award for The Best Supporting Actor*2013 – Nana Film Award – Man of the Year*2013 – Asiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing*2013 – Asiavision Movie Award for The Best Screenplay*2013 – Santosham South India Film Awards for The Best Supporting Actor*2013 – Jaycey Foundation Award – Special Award*2013 – Jaihind Film Award – Special Jury Award*2013 – Vanitha Film Award for The Best Anti-Hero*2013 – Asianet Film Award for The Best Villain*2013 – Reporter Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor*2012 – P. Bhaskaran Foundation Award for The Best Story*2012 – Nana Film Award for the Best Script Writer*2012 – Asiavision Movie Award for The Best Anti-Hero*2012 – Asiavision Movie Awards for The New Sensation in Script*2012 – Mohan Raghavan Award for The Best Script Writer*2009 – The Sathyan Memorial Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor
Filmography ===As actor===YearTitleRoleNotes2004''Rasikan''Theliparambil Kaala BhaskaranDebut as actor and screenwriter2009''Bhramaram''Dr. Alex VargheseSathyan Memorial Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor2011''Gadhama''Bharathan2012 ''Ee Adutha Kaalathu'' Ajay KurienAsiavision Movie Award for The Best Anti-HeroVanitha Film Award for The Best Anti-HeroReporter Film Award for The Best Supporting ActorJaihind Film Award – Special Jury AwardJaycey Foundation Award – Special AwardSantosham South India Film Awards for The Best Supporting Actor''Thappana'' Manikuttan aka KannukuttanAsianet Film Award for The Best Villain2013 ''August Club'' Nanda Gopan''Left Right Left''Roy Joseph aka Che Guevara Roy61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting RoleSouth Indian International Movie Awards for The Best Actor in Supporting RoleThikkurissi Sukumaran Foundation Award for The Best Supporting ActorAmrita Film Award for The Best Actor in Supporting Role''Kaanchi''Perungodan Narayanan ''Vedivazhipadu'' Rahul Nair''Kanyaka Talkies'' Father Michael Plathottathil''Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal'' Tyson' Alex 2014  ''1 by Two''Dr.Hari Narayan/Ravi Narayan''Naku Penda Naku Taka'' Anton Kulasingham  Special appearance2015''Lukka Chuppi''Sidharth Ram2016''Pavada'' Chandramohan  Special appearance''Pa Va'' Devassy Paappan 2017''Tiyaan''Remakant Mahashay''Kaattu''Chellappan2018''Aami''Madhav Das''Kammara Sambhavam''Kelu Nambiar2019''Thakkol''Rector Mankunnath Paili2021''Drishyam 2''IG Thomas Bastin IPS''One''Marampalli Jayanandhan ''The Last Two Days''Rakesh MadhavanCameo appearance ''Kuruthi''Sathyan2022''Kochaal''Simon Thomas 'Irumban'''12th Man'' DYSP SreekumarVoice Role ===As Screenwriter===YearTitleNotes2004''Rasikan''2012''Ee Adutha Kaalathu'' |NETPAC Award for Best Malayalam Film at 17th International Film Festival of Kerala 2012Mohan Raghavan Award for the Best ScriptAsiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in ScriptNana Film Award for the Best Script WriterP. Bhaskaran Foundation Award for The Best StoryJaihind Film Award – Special Jury Award2013''Left Right Left'' Asiavision Movie Award for The Best ScreenplayJaihind Film Award for The Best Script 2017''Tiyaan''  2018''Kammara Sambhavam'' 2019''Lucifer'' Highest-grossing Malayalam film2022''Theerppu''===As producer===YearTitleNotes 2022''Theerppu''First production venture ===As Narrator===YearFilm2018"Unmadiyude Maranam"2019"RAHASYA – A Triptych of Indian Classical Dances"
Discography ===As singer===YearSongFilmLanguageComposerNotes2004"Chaanju Nikkana"''Rasikan''MalayalamVidyasagar2013"LRL Anthem – Kaal Kuzhanju"''Left Right Left''MalayalamGopi SunderAsiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing"Perungodante Paattu – Raavinte Mookamaam"''Kaanchi''MalayalamRonnie Raphael2014"Pakalinu Veyil"''1 by Two''MalayalamGopi Sunder2015"Kalippu"''Premam''MalayalamRajesh Murugesan2016"Innu Njan Pokum"''Pa. Va''MalayalamAnand Madhusoodanan2017"The Mahashay Paean – Bham Bham Shiv Bole"''Tiyaan''MalayalamGopi Sunder"Neti" (off screen version)MalayalamGopi Sunder"Pottada Pottada"''Kaattu''MalayalamDeepak Dev2018"Anjandu Bharikkan"''Kammara Sambhavam''MalayalamGopi Sunder2019"Varika Varika"''Lucifer''MalayalamDevarajan MasterMusic redesigned and produced by Deepak Dev"Kaalavum Maari"''Underworld''MalayalamYakzan Gary Pereira and Neha S Nair===As Music composer===YearSongFilmNotes2022"Raavil"''Theerppu''"Ghode Pe Aaya"===As lyricist===YearSongFilmNotes2017"Neti"''Tiyaan''2019" Empuraane- The Lucifer Anthem"''Lucifer''2022"Raavil"''Theerppu''2022"Ghode Pe Aaya"
Author YearTitlePublisherSource2012Ee Adutha Kaalathu (screenplay)Fabian Books2014Left Right Left (screenplay)Mathrubhumi Books2015Murali Gopiyude Kadhakal (short story collection)Mathrubhumi Books
Television YearShowChannelNotes2014''Music Mojo'' Season 2Kappa TVLive performance with Bennet and Band2014''Chakkarapanthal''Mathrubhumi NewsAnchored a special commemorative episode on Rafi and Dev Anand,on the occasion of the 34th death anniversary of Mohammed Rafi2015Murali Gopy's Tribute to Guru DuttMathrubhumi News 2017AB@75: A Musical Tribute to Amitabh BachchanMathrubhumi News
Radio YearTitleRoleDirectorChannelNotes2015'' Ee Stationil Ottakku'' Station masterShihabuddin PoythumkadavuAll India Radio, Kozhikode Broadcast as part of Natakotsavam
References
External links **Murali's blog  vanguardvgm – the first to last, a compilation of his articles.