Murali Gopy Explained

Murali Gopy
Birth Name:V. G. Muralikrishnan[1]
Years Active:2004–present

Velayudhan Pillai Gopynathan Nair Muralikrishnan, professionally credited as Murali Gopy, is an Indian actor-screenwriter, producer, author, singer, lyricist, music composer and journalist.[2] [3] 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.[4] 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 .[5]

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.[6] Murali Gopiyude Kadhakal, a compilation of his stories, has been published by Mathrubhumi Books, the third edition of which is now running.[7] [8] 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.[9] It was opined to be "the cinema of 21st century" by stalwart writer N. S. Madhavan.[10] [11] [12] [13] 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.[14] [15] [16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19]

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".[20]

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.[21] 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.[3]

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.[22]

Murali has launched a website in memory of his father Bharath Gopi.[23]

Awards

Filmography

As actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004RasikanTheliparambil Kaala BhaskaranDebut as actor and screenwriter
2009BhramaramDr. Alex VargheseSathyan Memorial Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor
2011GadhamaBharathan
2012 Ee Adutha KaalathuAjay KurienAsiavision Movie Award for The Best Anti-Hero[34]
Vanitha Film Award for The Best Anti-Hero[35]
Reporter Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor[36]
Jaihind Film Award – Special Jury Award[37]
Jaycey Foundation Award – Special Award[38]
Santosham South India Film Awards for The Best Supporting Actor[39]
Thappana Manikuttan aka KannukuttanAsianet Film Award for The Best Villain[40]
2013 August Club Nanda Gopan
Left Right LeftRoy Joseph aka Che Guevara Roy61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting Role
South Indian International Movie Awards for The Best Actor in Supporting Role
Thikkurissi Sukumaran Foundation Award for The Best Supporting Actor[41]
Amrita Film Award for The Best Actor in Supporting Role
KaanchiPerungodan Narayanan
VedivazhipaduRahul Nair
Kanyaka TalkiesFather Michael Plathottathil
Ezhu Sundara RathrikalTyson' Alex
2014 1 by TwoDr.Hari Narayan/Ravi Narayan
Naku Penda Naku TakaAnton Kulasingham Special appearance
2015Lukka ChuppiSidharth Ram
2016Pavada Chandramohan Special appearance
Pa Va Devassy Paappan
2017TiyaanRemakant Mahashay
KaattuChellappan
2018AamiMadhav Das
Kammara SambhavamKelu Nambiar
2019ThakkolRector Mankunnath Paili
2021Drishyam 2IG Thomas Bastin IPS
OneMarampalli Jayanandhan
The Last Two DaysRakesh MadhavanCameo appearance
KuruthiSathyan
2022KochaalSimon Thomas 'Irumban'
12th Man DYSP SreekumarVoice Role

As Screenwriter

YearTitleNotes
2004RasikanDebut Film
2012Ee Adutha Kaalathu NETPAC Award for Best Malayalam Film at 17th International Film Festival of Kerala 2012[42]
Mohan Raghavan Award for the Best Script
Asiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Script
Nana Film Award for the Best Script Writer
P. Bhaskaran Foundation Award for The Best Story[43]
Jaihind Film Award – Special Jury Award
2013Left Right Left Asiavision Movie Award for The Best Screenplay
Jaihind Film Award for The Best Script
2017Tiyaan
2018Kammara Sambhavam
2019Lucifer[44] Highest-grossing Malayalam film[45]
2022Theerppu
[46]

As Narrator

YearFilm
2018"Unmadiyude Maranam"
2019"RAHASYA – A Triptych of Indian Classical Dances"

Discography

As singer

YearSongFilmLanguageComposerNotes
2004"Chaanju Nikkana"RasikanMalayalamVidyasagar
2013"LRL Anthem – Kaal Kuzhanju"Left Right LeftMalayalamGopi SunderAsiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing
"Perungodante Paattu – Raavinte Mookamaam"KaanchiMalayalamRonnie Raphael
2014"Pakalinu Veyil"1 by TwoMalayalamGopi Sunder
2015"Kalippu"PremamMalayalamRajesh Murugesan
2016"Innu Njan Pokum"Pa. VaMalayalamAnand Madhusoodanan
2017"The Mahashay Paean – Bham Bham Shiv Bole"TiyaanMalayalamGopi Sunder
"Neti" (off screen version)MalayalamGopi Sunder
"Pottada Pottada"KaattuMalayalamDeepak Dev
2018"Anjandu Bharikkan"Kammara SambhavamMalayalamGopi Sunder
2019"Varika Varika"LuciferMalayalamDevarajan MasterMusic redesigned and produced by Deepak Dev
"Kaalavum Maari"UnderworldMalayalamYakzan Gary Pereira and Neha S Nair

As Music composer

YearSongFilmNotes
2022"Raavil"Theerppu
"Ghode Pe Aaya"

As lyricist

YearSongFilmNotes
2017"Neti"Tiyaan
2019" Empuraane- The Lucifer Anthem"Lucifer
2022"Raavil"Theerppu
2022"Ghode Pe Aaya"

Author

YearTitlePublisherSource
2012Ee Adutha Kaalathu (screenplay)Fabian Books
2014Left Right Left (screenplay)Mathrubhumi Books[47]
2015Murali Gopiyude Kadhakal (short story collection)Mathrubhumi Books[48]

Television

YearShowChannelNotes
2014Music Mojo Season 2Kappa TVLive performance with Bennet and Band
2014ChakkarapanthalMathrubhumi NewsAnchored a special commemorative episode on Rafi and Dev Anand,
on the occasion of the 34th death anniversary of Mohammed Rafi
2015Murali Gopy's Tribute to Guru DuttMathrubhumi News
2017AB@75: A Musical Tribute to Amitabh BachchanMathrubhumi News

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Nagarajan. Saraswathy. Going with the flow. 8 July 2018. The Hindu. 23 July 2009.
  2. News: Going with the flow. Chennai, India. The Hindu. 23 July 2009. 29 December 2017.
  3. News: Murali Gopy releases Theerppu track, his maiden composition. The Indian Express. 24 August 2022. 25 August 2022.
  4. News: An aimless walk through campus. Meera Manu. The New Indian Express. 20 October 2012. 29 December 2017.
  5. News: An Actor with a Philosophy. Yentha. 7 June 2010. 29 December 2017. 13 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003606/http://www.yentha.com/news/view/2/An-Actor-With-A-Philosophy. dead.
  6. News: Destiny's CHILD. The Hindu. 9 June 2012. 29 December 2017.
  7. https://secure.mathrubhumi.com/books/stories/bookdetails/2468/murali-gopiyude-kadhakal മുരളി ഗോപിയുടെ കഥകള്‍
  8. News: The refreshing aura woven by Murali Gopy.... Malayala Manorama. 5 August 2015. 29 December 2017.
  9. News: Ee Adutha Kalathu duo teams up again. The Times of India. 18 April 2012. 29 December 2017.
  10. News: Mohan Raghavan film awards. Chennai, India. The Hindu. 17 October 2012. 29 December 2017.
  11. https://www.buyandread.com/custom/ePaper.htm?pub=tnie_ctykoc
  12. News: An exhilarating ride. The Hindu. 5 August 2011. 29 December 2017.
  13. News: Murali Gopy: My father is my hero. Rediff.com. 24 February 2012. 29 December 2017.
  14. News: Left Right Left Movie Review. The Times of India. TNN. 16 June 2013. 29 December 2017.
  15. News: Step by step. Nita Sathyendran. The Hindu. 3 January 2013. 29 December 2017.
  16. News: Holding a mirror to politics. Jabir Mushthari. The Hindu. 16 June 2013. 29 December 2017.
  17. News: Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Theerpu' will be an experimental entertainer, says Murali Gopy. The Times of India. 18 April 2022. 18 January 2024.
  18. News: 'Pa.Va' movie review: Exploring life on the edge.... Padmakumar K. Malayala Manorama. 22 July 2016. 29 December 2017.
  19. News: Censor Board cannot decide how a creative work should be: Murali Gopy. Saraswathy Nagarajan. The Hindu. 15 July 2016. 29 December 2017.
  20. News: Gulf Manorama | UAE. https://archive.today/20131104195937/http://gulf.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/gulfContentView.do?contentId=15382435&tabId=15&channelId=-1073869106&programId=6722800&BV_ID=@@@. dead. 4 November 2013. Malayala Manorama. 29 January 2014.
  21. News: 'Really happy that 'Lucifer' has become such a massive hit': Murali Gopy . The Hindu . 11 April 2019 . Nagarajan . Saraswathy .
  22. News: നടന്‍ മുരളി ഗോപിയുടെ ഭാര്യ അന്തരിച്ചു. Malayalam. ml. 27 April 2015. 29 December 2017.
  23. Web site: A Digital Memoir . 25 August 2022 . 25 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220825160508/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2014/jan/26/A-Digital-Memoir-568283.html . dead .
  24. News: Naatika Beach Festival; Ramu Kariat Awards Announced. Thrissur, India. Circle. 1 January 2020. 6 January 2020.
  25. Web site: മുരളി ഗോപിക്ക് കലാജ്യോതി പുരസ്‌കാരം .
  26. News: Award glitter. The Hindu. 10 January 2015. 28 December 2017.
  27. Web site: 10th Amrita Film Awards 2014 Winners List. Citytalkie. archive.is. 9 January 2015. 29 December 2017. bot: unknown. https://archive.today/20150121153741/http://www.citytalkies.com/10th-amrita-film-awards-2014-winners-list/. 21 January 2015.
  28. Web site: Nicy V.P.. SIIMA 2014 Malayalam: 'Drishyam' Gets Best Film Award; Dileep Bags Best Actor Award [Winners' List]]. International Business Times. 15 September 2014. 29 December 2017.
  29. Web site: Winners of 61st Idea Filmfare Awards South. Filmfare. 13 July 2014. 29 December 2017.
  30. http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/malayalam/429351/
  31. News: ഏഴു പേര്‍ക്കു യുവകേരള പുരസ്കാരം. Yahoo! News. 18 January 2014. 29 December 2017. bot: unknown. https://archive.today/20140213112025/http://malayalam.yahoo.com/%E0%B4%8F%E0%B4%B4%E0%B5%81-%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B3-%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%82-124202516.html. 13 February 2014.
  32. https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/q71/s720x720/1533926_10201941038420042_2101613088_n.jpg "Nana Film Awards 2013"
  33. News: Sathyan memorial film awards announced. https://web.archive.org/web/20100118093040/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/13/stories/2010011352670300.htm. dead. 18 January 2010. Chennai, India. 13 January 2010. The Hindu. 29 December 2017.
  34. News: South Indian movie stars honoured in run-up to awards ceremony. 23 October 2012. 23 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121110024028/http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f3754c79-d7b7-4b23-84ba-efe67894c301.aspx. 10 November 2012. dead.
  35. http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=13431235&tabId=1&programId=11565555&channelId=-1073865026
  36. Web site: റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടര്‍ ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്‌കാരം:മികച്ച നടന്‍ ഫഹദ് ഫാസില്‍, നടി റിമ കല്ലിങ്കല്‍. ml. 5 May 2013. 29 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171229053915/http://www.reporterlive.com/2013/05/05/13785.html. 29 December 2017. dead.
  37. Web site: ജയ്ഹിന്ദ് ചലച്ചിത്ര അവാര്‍ഡ്: സ്‌പിരിറ്റ് മികച്ച ചിത്രം, മധുപാല്‍ സംവിധായകന്‍. Mathrubhumi. ml. 22 May 2013. 22 May 2013. 22 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130522224852/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/malayalam/362601. dead.
  38. News: ജേസി ഫൗണ്ടേഷന്‍ അവാര്‍ഡ് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു. ml. 11 August 2016. 29 December 2017. 28 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171228225502/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/malayalam-news/kochi-1.1271021. dead.
  39. Web site: സന്തോഷം ചലച്ചിത്ര അവാര്‍ഡ്; ഷീലയെ ആദരിച്ചു. Mathrubhumi. archive.is. 3 September 2013. 29 December 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130903073811/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/2485001/2013-09-03/entertainment. 3 September 2013.
  40. Web site: Asianet Film Awards 2013 – Winners List. Smitha. Oneindia. 23 January 2013. 29 December 2017. 12 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112212135/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2013/asianet-film-awards-2013-winners-list-102810.html. dead.
  41. News: Sukumaran foundation award for 'Drisyam'. 3 January 2014. 29 December 2017. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211432/http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20140103/2313993.html. dead.
  42. http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=13031995&tabId=1&programId=11565535
  43. News: Jagathy Sreekumar gets P Bhasakaran award. Thiruvananthapuram, India. Malayala Manorama. 16 January 2013. 16 January 2013.
  44. News: LUCIFER – Actor Prithviraj directing and starring superstar Mohanlal. The New Indian Express. 16 September 2016. 29 December 2017.
  45. Web site: Lucifer box office: Mohanlal film collects Rs 100 crore worldwide . 8 April 2019 .
  46. News: Mohanlal's 'L2: Empuraan' is ready for 'Launch'; Murali Gopy shares an update - Times of India . 2022-07-01 . The Times of India . en.
  47. Book: മുരളി ഗോപി. ലെഫ്റ്റ് റൈറ്റ് ലെഫ്റ്റ്‌. 2014. ml. 1st. Mathrubhumi. 978-81-8266-071-7.
  48. Book: മുരളി ഗോപിയുടെ കഥകള്‍. മുരളി ഗോപി. 2015. ml. Mathrubhumi. 978-81-8266-352-7.
  49. News: Star-studded Drama Week on Radio. https://web.archive.org/web/20151114011901/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Star-studded-Drama-Week-on-Radio/2015/08/01/article2950563.ece. dead. 14 November 2015. Chandrakanth Viswanath. The New Indian Express. 1 August 2015. 29 December 2017.