Renji Panicker

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Renji Panicker
Born (1960-09-23) 23 September 1960
Nedumudi, Kerala, India
Other nameRenji
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • singer
  • lyricist
  • actor
  • film producer
  • poet
  • journalist
Years active1990–present
SpouseAneeta Marium Thomas
Children2

Renji Panicker (born 23 September 1960[1]) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, film producer, and journalist known for his works in Malayalam films. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005.[2]

Early life

He completed a Bachelor of Commerce from SD College and a certificate in Journalism from Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram. He received a Master of Journalism from University of Kerala.[3]

Career

Panicker began his career as a journalist. He started off as a reporter for magazines and publications. During an interview, while working for Chithrabhumi, a film magazine, he met director Shaji Kailas. Panicker scripted several films for Shaji Kailas, including Dr. Pasupathy (1990), Thalastaanam (1992), Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993), Ekalavyan (1993), Mafia (1993), Commissioner (1994), and The King (1995). The Renji Panicker-Shaji Kailas team elevated Suresh Gopi into a bankable lead actor during the early 1990s. He is known for his collaboration with director Joshiy, which included the films Lelam (1997) and Pathram (1999). He became a film director and directed two films. He is one of the managing directors of the Malayalam newspaper Metrovaartha.

Panicker has taken several cameo roles in his own films. However, he gained popularity as an actor for his role in Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014). He acted in Njaan (2014), Premam (2015), Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016), Thoppil Joppan (2016), Alamara (2017), Godha (2017) and Bhayanakam (2018).

Personal life

Renji Panicker was married to Aneeta Mariam Thomas, his classmate at Kerala University. Aneeta died on 10 March 2019, suffering from a kidney ailment. They have twin sons, Nithin and Nikhil, and were living in Alappuzha before moving to Kochi.[4]

Film career

While interviewing director Shaji Kailas, for a film magazine in 1990, he was impressed by Panicker's language and asked him to do a script for him. Panicker, who was an active politician since his college days tried out a political satire, Dr. Pasupathy, that turned out to be a hit. But the success of his debut film failed to bring recognition. His next venture Akashakottayile Sulthan, in 1991, directed by Jayaraj, with Sreenivasan in the main role, bombed. This made Panicker to rethink film as a career. Upon Kailas' insistence, Panicker made another attempt in 1992. Thalastaanam, revolving around campus politics was a hit and marked the beginning of the Shaji-Renji combination.

In the year 1993, Panicker penned Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans. Directed by Kailas, this film was a turning point in the life of Jagadish, who was until then slotted into comic roles. Jagadish played the role of a common man who overnight becomes the home minister of the state. Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans completed 150 days in theatres, establishing Renji Panicker as one of the leading script writers in Malayalam cinema. Next was Ekalavyan, released in May 1993. Directed by Kailas, Ekalavyan was an action thriller revolving around the unholy nexus of drug mafia-godmen and politicians. Appearing in the lead role of a police officer, Suresh Gopi established himself as the next star of Malayalam cinema. Ekalavyan completed 150 days in most theatres. Mafia then revolved around Bangalore underworld. Directed by Kailas with Suresh as hero, it was released in 1993, making Panicker the most expensive script-writer in Malayalam film.[5]

In 1994, Kailas and Panicker created Commissioner, a police film, which completed a run of 200 days in theatres. Suresh Gopi appeared in the title role and the film became the biggest grosser of the year. Shaji-Renji rejoined in 1995, casting Mammootty as the hero of The King, which was released in the end of 1995 was successful. Thereafter the duo parted ways.[6]

Panicker, after a long time wrote a script for director Joshiy in 1997. Lelam, another action thriller with Suresh Gopi as the hero was again a hit. The same team brought out Pathram the next year. Revolving around print media and the politics surrounding it, this flick is best remembered for dialog. The continuous run of hits came to an end in 2001. Panicker's combination with Joshiy, Dubai bombed. This was followed by Praja, the first time Mohanlal appeared in a Panicker film. The back to back set backs forced Panicker to take a break for three years. In 2005, he followed with Bharatchandran IPS the sequel of Commissioner, released in 1994. Bharatchandran IPS was his directorial debut. He also co-produced this film. This film crossed 100-day run in all major centres and gave a rebirth to Suresh. Panicker's second directorial attempt was Roudram, released in 2008, with Mammootty in the main role, Another police story, this film was a box-office success.[7] Panicker's next project was The King & the Commissioner in which Mammootty and Suresh Gopi played the lead roles, Joseph Alex I.A.S. and Bharathchandran I.P.S., taken from the films The King and Commissioner. It was directed by Kailas. This film had many expectations, as Mammootty and Suresh were reuniting after many years as were Kailas and Panicker.[8]

Plots and style

Renji Panicker's dialogue in Lelam is based on a real-life character while the jingoistic and valorised protagonists in Commissioner (1994) and The King (1995) are considered timeless classics for Malayalam cinema.[9]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

As actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992ThalastaanamPolitician
1993Sthalathe Pradhana PayyansPolitician
EkalavyanAirport passenger
MafiaExcise / Home Minister Venkidappa
1994CommissionerJournalist
2014PakidaNandakumar
Ohm Shanthi OshaanaDr. Mathew Devasya
Money RatnamIsaac
MunnariyippuMohan Das
NjaanKuttysankaran
CousinsDoctorCameo appearance
2015Picket 43C.O Vinay Chandran
AaduThomas Paappan / Varkey Pappan
Ennum EppozhumCEO of GM Builders
Ayal NjanallaK.P.K. Menon
HaramIsha's Father
LohamAlbert Alex[10]
PremamDavid KalapparambathCameo appearance
Acha DhinHome Minister Thomas Chacko
Njan Samvidhanam CheyyumJury committee member
Jamna PyariSridharan
Rajamma @ YahooMayor Abraham Pothen
Punchirikku ParasparamPerson reading newspaperShort film
AnarkaliPappan
CharliePanicker DoctorGuest appearance
2016PavadaPaul Scaria
Jacobinte SwargarajyamJacob
Valleem Thetti Pulleem ThettiMadhavan
Pa VaThampuran Johnny
Mohavalayam
Angane Thanne Nethave Anchettannam PinnaleZachariya
Welcome to Central JailSureshnath
Oru Muthassi GadhaDr. Mathew / Mathai
OppamPadmakumar P, IPS officer
Thoppil JoppanFr. James Anakattil
AanandamDiya's fatherCameo appearance
Campus DiaryKoya Saahib
Ore MukhamPrakashan
2017Georgettan's PooramFr. Mathews Vadakkan
KadamkathaSreekumar
Samarpanam
GeminiDr. Gokul
AlamaraPavithran
1971: Beyond BordersJanardanan
SakhavuKuriyachanCameo appearance
GodhaCaptain
ClintWriter V K Nambiar
Puthan PanamIqbal RowtherCameo appearance
RamaleelaV. G. Madhavan
Viswasapoorvam MansoorKalathil Haji
Oru CinemakkaranFr. Mathew
Role ModelsGautham's father
VillainCommissioner Sreenivasan
SoloThomas ZachariahSegment: World of Trilok
MasterpieceEdward LivingstoneCameo appearance
2018Kadha Paranja Kadha
CaptainCoach Jafer
AamiS. K. Nair
KrishnamDr. Sunil
Vallikkudilile VellakkaranChief Guest
Kinar
Abrahaminte SanthathikalSP Shahul Hameed
Kuttanadan MarpappaJohn's fatherPhoto presence
NaamFr. James Kottayil
BhayanakamPostman
DramaKunjachan
Ente Ummante PeruMohammed Hydarali MehfilPhoto appearance and voiceover
2019Vijay Superum PournamiyumVenugopal
Kodathi Samaksham Balan VakeelDGP K. E. Eappan
MargamkaliUrmila's father
Sakalakalashala
ThelivuRamesh Kumar
Roudram 2018Narayanan
Kalikoottukkar
PengalilaKoshy Mathew
AthiranJayanarayana Varma
Oru Yamandan PremakadhaAdvocate John Kombanayil
Ningal Camera Nireekshanathinlannu
Aniyan Kunjinum Thannalayathu
Mohabbathin KunjabdullaThangal
SachinRamachandran
Love Action DramaSwathi's father
Ulta
ThakkolClement
2020Kalamandalam HyderaliKalamandalam Hyderali
ForensicRetd. SP Abdul Wahab IPS
2021BackpackersRawther
MuddyMaster of Hero[11]
KaavalAntony
2022NaaradanGovinda Menon
CBI 5: The BrainDYSP Balagopal, C.B.I.
KoomanCI Somasekharan
GoldChandrasekharan
2023KolaambiAbdul Kader[12]
Iru[13]
Section 306 IPC[14]
Otta[15]
Thaal[16]
Bullet Diaries[17]
2024Little HeartsJohnson[18]
DNADGP Martin Aloshius IPS[19]
Secret[20]
HuntPadmanabhan Ramaswany[21]
Kadha InnuvareComrade Sivaprasad alias Sivettan[22]
Soul Stories[23]
2025Ennu Swantham PunyalanFr. Nicholas[24]
Sweetheart!Manu's fatherTamil film[25]
E ValayamVinayan[26]
Param SundariBhargavan NairHindi film[27]
The Pet DetectiveJose Alula[28]
Dheeram[29]
AghoshamBishop[30]
2026Aadu 3Thomas Paappan / Narayanan Thampuran[31]
Ananthan KaaduBilingual film[32]

Other works

Year Title Director Writer Notes
1990Dr. PasupathyYes
1991Aakasha Kottayile SultanYes
1992ThalastaanamYes
1993Sthalathe Pradhana PayyansYes
EkalavyanYes
MafiaYes
1994CommissionerYes
1995The KingYes
1997LelamYes
1999PathramYes
2001PrajaYes
DubaiYes
2005Bharatchandran IPSYesYes
2008RoudramYesYes
2012The King & the CommissionerYes

Distribution

Year Title language Notes
2017Orayiram KinakkalalMalayalam
Adam Joan
KaabilHindiIn Kerala
Raees

Television

Year Title Role Channel Notes
2017–2018AniyaraHostSurya TV
2019Nammal Thammil 2HostAsianet
2019–2020JananayakanJudgeAmrita TV
2020Crime PatrolHostKairali TV
2020-2021IndulekhaRamanadha MenonSurya TVTV Serial
2021VotographyCo-Host with John BrittasKairali TV
2022NaatupakshamHostSurya TV
2023MasterpeaceChandichanDisney+ HotstarWeb series
2024ManorathangalPathmanabhanZEE5 Segment: Swargam Thurakkuna Samayam[33]
2026GloryCoach PanickerNetflixHindi series[34]

Awards and nominations

Won
Nominations

References

  1. "Renji Panicker: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. "Renji Panicker's next flick". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008.
  3. "Fire Brand @25" (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. Archived 1 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Renji Panicker busy scripting two mammoth projects". 2 August 2017.
  6. "Renji Panicker – Movies, biography, News, Age & Photos". BookMyShow.
  7. BizHat.com – Roudram Review. Mammootty, Manju, Lalu Alex, Saikumar, Vijayaraghavan, Rajan.P.Dev, Janardhanan, Shammi Thilakan, Subair, T.P.Madhavan, Jayakrishnan, Spadikam George, Maya Moushmi, Urmila Unni Archived 1 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Movies.bizhat.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. Day of the action heroes. The Hindu (22 March 2012). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  9. Fire Brand @25 – Page 3. mangalam.com.
  10. Thomas, Pramod (22 August 2015). "When Film-makers Prefer Shadow Walking". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  11. "Malayalam action thriller Muddy to release on December 10". The New Indian Express. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  12. "Nithya Menen-starrer Kolaambi's trailer is here". Cinema Express. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  13. "Othello adaptation Iru is a tale of caste politics". Cinema Express. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. "Renji Panicker and Shanthi Krishna to play lead roles in 'Section 306 IPC'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  15. "Otta trailer: Resul Pookutty's star-studded directorial debut promises some intense drama". Cinema Express. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. "Anson Paul's 'Thaal' trailer unveils gripping psychological thriller inspired by real events". The Times of India. 7 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. "Dhyan Sreenivasan and Prayaga Martin join Santosh Mandoor-directed Bullet Diaries". The New Indian Express. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  18. "Shane Nigam's Little Hearts gets a release date". Cinema Express. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  19. "Raai Laxmi's DNA gets a release date". Cinema Express. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  20. "SN Swamy's directorial debut Secret gets a release date". Cinema Express. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  21. "Bhavana Menon teams up with Kaapa director Shaji Kailas for a thriller titled Hunt". India Today. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  22. "Kadha Innuvare release date announced". Cinema Express. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  23. "From Soul Stories to 1000 Babies: New Malayalam OTT releases to watch this week on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video". The Economic Times. 22 October 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  24. Madhu, Vignesh (14 December 2024). "Ennu Swantham Punyalan confirms release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  25. Kumar, Akshay (27 February 2025). "Sweetheart trailer to be out on this date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  26. "'ഈ വലയം' മെയ് 30 ന് റിലീസ് ചെയ്യുന്നു". Twentyfournews.com. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  27. "Janhvi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra bring culture clash romance in 'Param Sundari' | Watch trailer". mathrubhumi.com. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  28. Santhosh, Vivek (16 October 2025). "The Pet Detective Movie Review: Sharaf U Dheen shines in a chaotic yet amusing comic caper". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  29. "Dheeram movie review: Indrajith's film gives Officer On Duty a run for its money in shameless exploitation of crimes against women". The Indian Express. 6 December 2025. Archived from the original on 5 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  30. "First look of Narain's Aghosham out". Cinema Express. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  31. "'Aadu 3' box office collections day 8: Jayasurya's film continues steady run; Mints Rs 68 crores". The Times of India. 26 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  32. "Arya-starrer Ananthan Kaadu gets a release date". Cinema Express. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  33. "'Manorathangal' trailer: Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Mohanlal and more unite to pay tribute to M T Vasudevan Nair". The Hindu. 16 July 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  34. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/web-series-review-glory-works-due-to-its-blend-of-boxing-family-drama-and-mystery-along-with-massy-moments/