SANJEEV SIVAN

FILM MAKER

A PROFILE

Sanjeev undertook a comprehensive course in direction at the very prestigious New York University. In all of his projects be it feature, documentary or docu-features, he believes each story has to be told differently.

He made his directorial debut with Malayalam feature film "Aparichitan"  which went on to become sleeper hit. The film changed the face of Kerala film industry with it's never seen before technique and craft.

His next feature film "Venalodungathe"  was awarded best film at the Hidden Gems International Film Festival Calgary, Canada. Sanjeev’s projects have also been widely cherished – both domestically and abroad. His documentaries and docu-features like Underground Inferno for National Geographic Channel, won the Best Documentary Award at the International Film Festival of India, Goa and the best documentary at the Greece International Film Festival.

He has a long list of completed international projects. To name a few: "The Aryan Saga";  "Sex Lies & A Book";  "Karaoke Cops"  for Al Jazeera, London; "Life After Death"  for Asian Pitch, Singapore, "Dharavi – Underbelly Economy"  for Mediacorp, Singapore, "In The Shadows Of Taj"  for Mediacorp, "United Colours Of Bollywood",  "Fight Piracy Today",  "Little Women"  all for PSBT, "Arunima’s Story",  "Boys & Girls",  "The Doll Story"  all for Government of India.

Sanjeev Sivan has earned numerous State Awards, National Awards and International Awards in his career. He was also the jury member of the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) Film Awards also served as a jury member for the 57th National Film Awards.

Currently, Sanjeev is busy directing a Bollywood project with Emmy nominated hero of "Sacred Games" Nawazuddin Siddiqui and two Malayalam feature films.

Manoj Pillai

Cinematographer

A PROFILE

Manoj Pillai started his career under the tutelage of the acclaimed veteran filmmaker Mr.Sivan. He later joined as the associate cameraman to the India’s ace Cinematographer Santosh Sivan, ASC, ISC.

His work as his associate includes some of the films like Santosh Sivan's "Terrorist", Mani Ratnam's "Dil Se", Priyadarsan's "Kalapani", Khalid Mohammed's "Fiza", Shahrukh Khan's "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" and "Ashoka", M.F. Hussain's "Meenakshi" and some international projects like Gurinder Chaddha's "Bride & Prejudice", "Mistress of the Spices", "Before the rains" etc.

His independent work as a Cinematographer fetched him the Kerala State Award for Best Cinematography for "Kaioppu". Some of his brilliant works include "Achanurangatha Veedu", "Vasthavam", "Arabikatha", "Palerimanikkam", "Gaddhamma", "Njan", "Mammagam", "Udal", "MinnaminniKootam", "Red Wine", "Shikaar", "Bhoovuttintenamathil", "22 Female Palayam Kotte" (Tamil) etc.

He has also shot documentaries like multiple international award winning film "Decoding Shankar",  "Wave Riders"  for the Ministry of External Affairs etc. The current trending and viral anthem of the Indian Navy "Call of the Blue Waters"  was shot by him.

Resul Pookutty

Sound Designer

A PROFILE

Resul Pookutty won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for "Slumdog Millionaire" along with Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp. He also won BAFTA for Best Sound for the same movie.

He was born on 30 May 1971. He is an Indian film Sound Designer, Sound Editor and Audio Mixer. He has been honored with Padmasree by the Indian Government for his contribution to the entertainment industry.

Pookutty has worked in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam languages in addition to British films.

Pookutty moved to Mumbai after his graduation. He got his big break with the critically acclaimed 2005 film "Black", Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He subsequently engineered sound for major productions like "Musafir" (2004), "Zinda" (2006), "Traffic Signal" (2007), "Gandhi", "My Father" (2007), "Saawariya" (2007), "Dus Kahaniyaan", "Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja" (2009) and "Enthiran" (2010).

Currently he is busy with his Directorial venture in Malayalam titled "Otta".

A.Sreekar Prasad

Editor

A PROFILE

Akkineni Sreekar Prasad is an Indian Film Editor. He works predominantly in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi language films. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has edited over 600 films.

He is a recipient of nine National Film Awards including seven wins for Best Editing which is a record in that category. He also won five Kerala State Film Awards, two Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards, and two Filmfare Awards among others.

He was included in the "Limca Book of Records People of the Year - 2013"  list for his contribution to Indian cinema in several languages. Sreekar Prasad also holds the record for "films edited in most number of languages"  in Limca Book of Records. He has edited films from 17 languages so far.

Some of the notable editing works of Sreekar Prasad include "Yodha" (1992), "Nirnayam" (1995), "Vanaprastham" (1999), "Alaipayuthey" (2000), "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), "Kannathil Muthamittal" (2002), "Okkadu" (2003), "Aaytha Ezhuthu/Yuva" (2004), "Navarasa" (2005), "Anandabhadram" (2005), "Guru" (2007), "Billa" (2007), "Firaaq" (2008), "Pazhassi Raja" (2009) and "Talvar" (2015).

His latest work is "Ponniyin Selvan 1" and Rajamouli’s "RRR", which won the Oscar Academy Award and the Golden Globe for music. Currently he is completing Mani Ratnam’s "Ponniyin Selvan 2".

Tuomas Kantelinen

Music Director

A PROFILE

Tuomas Kantelinen is a Finnish composer born on 22 September 1969 in Kankaanpaa in Finland. He studied composition at the Sibelius Academy with Eero Hameenniemi.

Composer Tuomas Kantelinen works in the wonderful world of film, TV, Opera and Ballet.

He has scored music for almost 100 feature films, including Stephen Fung's "The Adventurers", Timo Vuorensola's "The Ark", Renny Harlin's "The Legend of Hercules and Mindhunters", Sergei Bodrov's Oscar nominated Genghis Khan epic "Mongol", Klaus Haro's awarded "Mother of Mine", as well as Sweden's biggest production, Peter Flinth's Crusades trilogy and TV mini series Arn - "The Knight Templar".

He is known for his ability to adjust his musical skill to any culture and film territory. His knowledge of Hollywood film scoring techniques, electronic programming, classical Western Concert music styles and East Asian music cultures makes it easy for him to travel between Europe, US, China, India and beyond.

His latest films includes the Hollywood film "Lanborghini" distributed by Lionsgate, "Koputus", "Sieniretki", "Sininen Enkeli", "Agios Paisios - TV Series".

Soubin Shahir

Actor

A PROFILE

Soubin Shahir is an Indian Actor and Director who works in Malayalam cinema. He began his film career as an Assistant Director in 2002 and worked under several directors.

Soubin made his acting debut in Fazil's "Kaiyethum Doorath" (2002) while working as an Assistant Director. He continued acting in supporting roles like "Annayum Rasoolum" (2013). He got a breakthrough role with Alphonse Putharen's "Premam" (2015). This led to his popularity as an actor in the industry. He made his directorial debut with the drama "Parava" (2017).

His popular roles include in films "Charlie" (2015), "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" (2016), "Kali" (2016), "Darvinte Parinamam" (2016), "Kammatipaadam" (2016), "Anuraga Karikkin Vellam" (2016), "Mayanadhi" (2017), "Comrade in America – CIA" (2017), and "Kumbalangi Nights".

In 2018, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his leading role in "Sudani from Nigeria", the film was also a major commercial success.

Narain

Actor

A PROFILE

Narain is an Indian Actor, who has starred in Malayalam and Tamil films. He made his debut in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's "Nizhalkuthu" (2002), followed by his first commercial film "4 The People" (2004), which went on to become a massive hit, "Achuvinte Amma" (2005) and "Classmates" (2006).

Narain's Tamil debut was in Mysskin's "Chithiram Pesuthadi" (2006).

Through "Panthaya Kozhi" Produced by Director Lal, he has been re-launched as an independent action hero in the Malayalam film industry. In 2008, he did another youth-oriented Malayalam movie "Minnaminnikoottam". He worked with Director Sathyan Anthikkad again in "Bhagyadevatha".

He collaborated with Director Mysskin in the 2008 film "Anjaathe" and in the 2012 superhero film "Mugamoodi" where he portrayed role of a villain.

However his career high came through Lokesh Kanagaraj Directed venture "Kaithi" in (2019), and "Vikram" (2022) starring Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil.

Baiju

Actor

A PROFILE

Baiju Santhosh Kumar, is an Indian Actor who works in Malayalam films. He began his acting career at the age of 10 debuting, as a child artist in the film "Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla". Since then he has acted in more than 300 films.

He was recently appreciated for his role in the Asian Award winning film "Minnal Murali". He has mostly done character roles and comedy roles.

He got a career breakthrough with the film "Puthan Panam"  Directed by Ranjith. His portrayal of Stephen Achayan in "Ente Mezhuthiri Athazhangal"  was critically acclaimed. In 2019, he did lead role in "Mera Naam Shaji".

Sidhanshu

Actor

A PROFILE

Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan is an Indian Actor, is the third generation of Sivans clan; who dominates the Southern film industry in India. His father Sanjeev Sivan, is the youngest of the family of filmmakers that includes his late father Sivan - an acclaimed Director, Producer and Cinematographer and master craftsmen elder brothers Sangeeth Sivan – Director, Producer and Padmasree awardee Santosh Sivan – an ace Cinematographer, Producer and Director.

Sidhanshu’s parents noticed his passion for acting and his appetite for films. He is happiest while watching movies irrespective of language. He has been constantly pursing his interest in acting by attending acting workshops. Seeing his dedication and perseverance they decided to introduce him into the film industry at the young age of 12.

Sidhanshu’s debut film is "Ozhuki Ozhuki Ozhuki"  Directed by his dad Sanjeev Sivan and Produced by his mother Deepti Pillay Sivan under their banner of Tripod Motion Pictures.

Deepti Sivan

Producer

A PROFILE

Deepti is a law graduate armed with M.B.A with 25+ years experience in Media and Entertainment Industry that includes Events, Films, Television and Radio. She topped academically and was all-rounder in sports and arts during her student days.

Her foray into the entertainment industry was as an actress in the much acclaimed superhit film "Kalipattam", but she preferred to be behind the camera thus she started working for Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd as the Associate Director for the Miss World Pageant.

She set up the Red FM Radio Station, making it No:1 Station while at the helm as Station Director. She progressed to Head a Channel of the India’s largest Television Network- the Sun TV, later joined Zee TV and progressed to various roles from Business Head to Commissioning head.

Post her marriage to filmmaker Sanjeev Sivan, as Production Designer she handled feature films in Malayalam and Hindi languages, Non-Feature films, Advertisements, Documentaries for National Geographic Channel, Al Jazeera, Public Service Broadcasting Trust, Government of India etc.

Her calling and passion being films, she moved on to Film Production handling Production of Feature films. Her most successful Directorial documentary was titled "Decoding Shankar"  which was chosen in the Indian Panorama of International Film Festival of India at Goa. This documentary film drew rave reviews from critics and cinema buffs alike, both domestically and internationally. The film went on to win 25 International Awards across the globe at the Toronto, Tokyo, Cannes, London, Stuttgart, Jecheon film festivals to name a few.

Currently she is making feature films in Malayalam and Hindi languages with Emmy nominated actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui and writing her Directorial feature film in Tamil.

Beeyar Prasad

Story & Screenplay

A PROFILE

B. Rajendraprasad was an Indian Malayalam Lyricist and Poet, born on 18 March 1961 in a village called Monkombu of Kuttanad in Kerala. He was popularly known as Beeyar Prasad. He was a multi-talented person.

Armed with a degree in Malayalam Literature, he ventured into the entertainment industry, writing many librettos for the Kathakali dance, theatre and hosting shows on television.

He progressed to movies, starting out writing scripts, acting and later writing lyrics for songs in the movies. In the year 1993, Beeyar Prasad debuted as a scriptwriter for the movie "Johnny", Directed by Sivan, which won Kerala State Film Award for Best Children's Film.

In the year 2001 Prasad went into acting, playing a character role in the film "Theerthadanam" with actress Suhashini Maniratnam wife of Director Mani Ratnam.

He made his debut as a Lyricist in the Malayalam film industry in 2003 through the film "Kilichundan Mampazham" for which music was composed by Vidyasagar. His lyrics for the songs "Keranirakalaadum" from "Jalolsavam", and "Mazhathullikal Pozhinjeedumee" from "Vettam" struck a chord with the music lovers and audience.

In his career spanning over one decade, he penned lyrics for 87 songs in over 60 films, which went on to become a superhit and now considered one the most poetic and lyrically written songs of the century.

Beeyar Prasad suffered a brain haemorrhage in November 2022 during a shoot. While undergoing treatment for the same, he suffered a heart attack and due to complications of a stroke he passed away at the age of 61 in Changanassery, Kottayam district, on 4 January 2023, much before he could achieve deserving recognition for his contribution to the film industry.

His last film was this dream project "Ozhuki Ozhuki Ozhuki", which he truly believed in. Hence he was involved from scripting to scouting locations to every stage of post production, but he passed away before he could see the final product.

Yadhu Krishna

Actor

A PROFILE

Yadu Krishnan is an Indian Actor who works in Malayalam cinema and television industry. He began his film career as a child artist in a film "Vivahithare Ithile" Directed by Balachandra Menon in 1986 and worked under several directors ever after.

He is remembered for his role of Monukuttan in "Sanmanasulavarkku Samadhanam" and Rameshan in "Kireedam". He went on to act in several films like "Chenkol", "Perumazhakkalam", "Thommanum Makkalum"  etc. but he became very popular due to his portrayal in television serials.

He won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for his leading role in Television serials.

Anjana Appukuttan

Actress

A PROFILE

Anjana Appukuttan started her career in the entertainment industry through theatre and then progressed to roles in television serials. Now she is dominates the Malayalam TV and movie industry with her performance in comic roles.

She is part of the longest running popular comedy serial "Vellanakalude Nadu" in Asianet. In this serial she gives life to the character 'Kunjumol', which audience truly cherish and identify with.

She is well known for her part in "Elsamma Enna Aankutty" (2010) and "Puthumukhangal" (2011) where she exhibits her comedic side.

Apart from serials and stage shows she has also acted in many films like "Paappi Appacha", "Aan Piranna Veedu", "Kudumbasree Travels", "Puthumukhangal", "The King & the Commissioner", "Pullippulikalum Aattinkuttiyum", "Oru Indian Pranayakadha", "Sringaravelan", "Varsham", "Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu", "Immanuel", "Housefull", 'Pullippulikalum Aattinkuttiyum' etc.

Kochu Preman

Actor

A PROFILE

K. S. Premkumar was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam film industry, born on 1 June 1955 and better known by his stage name Kochu Preman, because he believed that the name suits his short stature.

He completed college education from Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram. He has worked in drama troupes such as Kalidasa Kalakendram, Kerala Theaters, and Sanghachethana.

Though he debuted in 1979 in the movie "Ezhunirangal", he started getting roles in films only from 1996, beginning with Malayalam film "Dilliwala Rajakumaran". After that he acted in more than 250 films, mainly in supporting and comedy roles, and also appeared in television.

Preman died on 3 December 2022, at the age of 67 in Thiruvananthapuram. He was suffering from lung related issues prior to his death.

TRIPOD MOTION PICTURES

Tripod Motion Pictures is a Production house of partners in real life - Sanjeev Sivan and Deepti Pillay Sivan– to explore and expound uncharted territories in the domain of audio-visual story telling.

With a determined agenda of delivering unique content in seamless quality, the organization brings with it the assurance of over 50 years of collated experience of excellence. They have together consolidated their creative partnership, collating their strengths acquired over the years – they deliver truly mind-blowing audio visuals across all formats, with global-class quality.

The team has to their credit 48 state, national and international awards collectively and their films have represented at numerous International Film Festivals including Seattle, Cannes, Hong Kong, Fukuoka, Stuttgart, Jecheon, Venice to name a few.

Leaning on the diversity of their experiences, and willing to experiment with brave, new ideas – Tripod Motion Pictures ushers in a new wave of storytelling – one that will regale and relate to audiences worldwide.

They are a force to reckon and dream team to work with. They create nothing but the best which leaves audience spellbound and asking for more.