Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas

2021-08-08T16:16:28Z

2405:201:D014:A010:7DD8:B65E:D38F:D1C3:

{{short description|Indian screenwriting duo}}
{{unreliable sources|date=December 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Kerala]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Screenwriters
| website =
|
| imagesize =
| othername =
| years_active = 1995 {{endash}} Present
| spouse =
| notable role =
}}

'''Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas''' is an Indian [[screenwriting]] duo known for their works in [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/27441/ |title=സൂപ്പര്‍ തിരക്കഥ|trans-title=Super Screenplay|work=Mathrubhumi |access-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219081117/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/27441/ |archive-date=19 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Most of their works are in the comedy genre. They wrote films such as ''[[Mattupetti Machan]]'' (1998), ''[[Udayapuram Sulthan]]'' (1999), ''[[Dhosth (2001 Malayalam film)|Dhosth]]'' (2001), ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]'' (2003), ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]'' (2004), ''Kochi Rajavu'' (2005), ''[[Thuruppugulan (2006 film)|Thuruppu Gulan]]'' (2006), ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' (2008), ''[[Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]'' (2010), ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'' (2011) and ''[[Mayamohini]]'' (2012); all commercial hits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/gallery/events/12017.html|title=Star Talk – Sibi K Thomas And Udaya Krishna|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=14 April 2007|access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

The duo began as assistant directors under writer/director [[Balu Kiriyath]] and wrote their first [[screenplay]] in 1997, for ''Hitler Brothers''. They got their break through ''Mattuppetti Machan'' (1998). ''[[Udayapuram Sulthan]]'' (1999) made them bankable screenwriters. They made memorable films with directors including [[Joshiy]], [[Johny Antony]], Jose Thomas and Sandhya Mohan.

The duo are often criticised for the lack of content in their screenplays and their continuing association with [[superstar]]s. Most of their films were hits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/188412/ |title=സൂപ്പര്‍ ഹിറ്റ് സഹോദരന്മാരുടെ സ്രഷ്ടാക്കള്‍|trans-title=Creation of Superhit brothers |work=Mathrubhumi |access-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219050938/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/188412/ |archive-date=19 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The duo parted in 2015. Udayakrishna continued as a scriptwriter while Sibi K. Thomas became a filmmaker. Udayakrishna's first independent script was ''[[Pulimurugan]]'' (2016) which became the first Malayalam film to gross over {{INR}}100 and {{INR}}150 crore at the box office, the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salman Khan keen to act in 'Pulimurugan' remake|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/salman-khan-keen-act-pulimurugan-remake-62245|access-date=15 December 2017|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=18 May 2017}}</ref>

==Career==
Both Siby and Udayakrishna started their career as assistant directors. Siby assisted Balu Kiriyath and [[Sandhya Mohan]], while Udayakrishna assisted screenwriter A.R.Mukesha and was assistant director under Balu Kiriyath, Ali Akbar, [[K. Madhu]] and Venu B. Nair.<ref name="Writers">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article1507837.ece|title=Scripting blockbusters|date=4 March 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> [[Manoj K. Jayan]] prodded them into a partnership and agreed to star in their directorial debut.<ref name="Writers"/> However, that project did not work out. Subsequently, they wrote their first script, ''Hitler Brothers'' (1997), for [[Sandhya Mohan]], followed by ''Mayajalam'' for Balu Kiriyath. Both films failed at the box office.<ref name="Writers"/> The duo's first hit came through ''Mattuppetti Machan'' directed by Jose Thomas, followed by ''[[Udayapuram Sulthan]]''.<ref name="Writers" /> Then came ''Sundrapurushan,'' which was a moderate success. It was followed by [[Rajasenan]]'s successful movies, ''[[Darling Darling (2000 film)|Darling Darling]]'' and ''Malayalimamanu Vanakkam''. ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]'', was a notable success. They associated with Johny Antony in most of his directorial ventures thereafter, including the commercially successful ''[[Kochi Rajavu]]'' and ''[[Thuruppugulan (2006 film)|Thuruppu Gulan]]''.

They worked with veteran director [[Joshiy]] in ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]'', ''Lion'' and ''[[July 4 (film)|July 4]]'', and in the landmark Malayalam film ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]''. ''Twenty:20'' was produced by [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] in association with Dileep's Grand Productions and starred most major actors of Malayalam cinema. The film became the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time and brought appreciations for Siby and Udayakrishna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfilmdom.com/malayalam-box-office-top-5-november-9-2008|publisher=Indian Filmdom|title=Box-office report 2008|date=9 November 2008|access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> ''Twenty:20'' was followed by ''[[Ee Pattanathil Bhootham]]'', which was panned by the critics and an average grosser. In 2010, they made a comeback with ''[[Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]'', which went on to become a big success and the highest-grossing film of the year.<ref name="2010 BO">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019191015/http://www.sify.com/movies/Top-10-Malayalam-grossers-of-2010-imagegallery-malayalam-lbfk9Ueijff.html?html=5 "2010 Top 10"]. [[Sify]].com. Retrieved 4 March 2011.</ref> However, critical responses for ''Pokkiri Raja'' were mostly mixed. They scripted debutante Thomson K. Thomas's ''[[Kaaryasthan]]''. Despite negative reviews from critics, the film closely followed ''Pokkiri Raja'' in collection records of the year.<ref name="2010 BO"/> Their only film in 2011 was ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'' with Joshiy, which became a success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://keralaboxoffice.com/christian-brothers-box-office-collection-report/|title=Christian Brothers box office collection|publisher=Keralaboxoffice.com|access-date=6 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/146993/many-stars-poor-show.html|title=Many stars, poor show|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=22 March 2011|access-date=6 April 2011}}</ref> They scripted two films in 2012, ''[[Mayamohini]]'' and ''[[Mr. Marumakan]]''. The former was a success and was among the highest-grossing films of the year while the latter, despite heavy criticism, became an average hit. The last release in their combination is Ivan Mariyadaraman.

==Style==
They are known for heavy usage of [[slapstick comedy]]. The protagonists often hail from rich Christian and Hindu families and often the film revolves around family ties or the rivalries between two families.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mangalam.com/life-style/success/34748 |title=Uday & Sibi |work=Mangalam |access-date=2013-12-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213231436/http://www.mangalam.com/life-style/success/34748 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The duo are often criticised for the lack of content in their screenplays and for the continuous association with superstars. They explain:
{{cquote|Our mantra is to make sure that those who have invested money in the film gets maximum returns and those who pay for the ticket get entertained. We are limiting our experiments to the stars and their stardom as of now.<ref name="Writers"/>}}

==Filmography==
===Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas (as writer duo)===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Notes
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Hitler Brothers]]''
| Sandhya Mohan
| Udayakrishna acts in this film as a thief.
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1998
| ''[[Meenakshi Kalyanam]]''
| [[Jose Thomas]]
|
|-
| ''[[Mayajalam]]''
| Balu Kiriyath
|
|-
| ''[[Amma Ammaayiyamma]]''
| Sandhya Mohan
|
|-
| ''[[Mattupetti Machan]]''
| Jose Thomas
| Udayakrishna acts as a driver.
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1999
| ''[[Udayapuram Sulthan]]''
| Jose Thomas
| Both act as dileeps collegemate
|-
| ''[[My Dear Karadi]]''
| Sandhya Mohan
|
|-
| ''[[Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal]]''
| Jose Thomas
| Udayakrisha acts as TV Anchor
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Darling Darling (2000 film)|Darling Darling]]''
| [[Rajasenan]]
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Sundara Purushan (2001 film)|Sundara Purushan]]''
| Jose Thomas
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Dhosth (2001 Malayalam film)|Dhosth]]''
| [[Thulasidas]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2002
| ''[[Malayalimamanu Vanakkam]]''
| [[Rajasenan]]
|
|-
| ''[[Snehithan]]''
| Jose Thomas
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2003
| ''[[C.I.D. Moosa]]''
| [[Johny Antony]]
|
|-
| ''[[Pulival Kalyanam]]''
| [[Shafi (director)|Shafi]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2004
| ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]''
| [[Joshiy]]
|
|-
| ''[[Vettam]]''
| [[Priyadarshan]]
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Kochi Rajavu]]''
| [[Johny Antony]]
|
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2006
| ''Lion''
| [[Joshiy]]
|
|-
| ''[[Kilukkam Kilukilukkam]]''
| Sandhya Mohan
|
|-
| ''[[Thuruppugulan (2006 film)|Thuruppu Gulan]]''
| [[Johny Antony]]
|
|-
| ''[[Chess (2006 film)|Chess]]''
| Raj Babu
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2007
| ''[[Inspector Garud (film)|Inspector Garud]]''
| [[Johny Antony]]
|
|-
| ''[[July 4 (film)|July 4]]''
| [[Joshiy]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2008
| ''[[Magic Lamp (film)|Magic Lamp]]''
| Haridas
|
|-
| ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]''
| [[Joshiy]]
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 2009
| ''[[Ee Pattanathil Bhootham]]''
| [[Johny Antony]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| ''[[Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]''
| [[Vysakh]]
|
|-
| ''[[Kaaryasthan]]''
| Thomson K. Thomas
|
|-
| rowspan="1"| 2011
| ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]''
| [[Joshiy]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| ''[[Mayamohini]]''
| [[Jose Thomas]]
|
|-
| ''[[Mr. Marumakan]]''
| Sandhya Mohan
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2013
| ''[[Kammath & Kammath]]''
| Thomson K. Thomas
| Udayakrishna and Sibi K. Thomas appear in a song.
|-
|''[[Sringaravelan]]''
| [[Jose Thomas]]
|
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2014
| ''[[Avatharam (2014 Malayalam film)|Avatharam]]''
| [[Joshiy]]
| Produced by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas
|-
|''[[Rajadhi Raja (2014 film)|Rajadhi Raja]]''
| Ajai Vasudev
|-
| ''[[Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu]]''
| Benny Thomas
|
|-
|2015||''[[Ivan Maryadaraman]]''||Suresh Divakar||
|}

===Udaykrishna (as writer)===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Notes
|-
|2016
|''[[Pulimurugan]]''
|''[[Pulimurugan|Vysakh]]''
|
|-
|2017||''[[Masterpiece (2017 film)|Masterpiece]]''||[[Ajai Vasudev]]||
|-
|2018||''[[Aanakkallan]]''||Suresh Divakar||
|-
|2019||''[[Madhura Raja]]''||[[Vysakh]]||
|-
|2021||''[[Aaraattu (film)|Aaraattu]]''||[[B. Unnikrishnan]]||

|}

===Udaykrishna (as actor)===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Notes
|-
|2012|| ''[[Mallu Singh]]''|| [[Vysakh]]|| Actor Only
|-
|2017
|''[[Ramante Edanthottam]]''
|[[Ranjith Sankar]]
|Actor Only
|-
|2017||''[[Masterpiece (2017 film)|Masterpiece]]''||[[Ajai Vasudev]]||Cameo appearance as himself
|-
|2020||''[[Shylock (2020 film) |Shylock]]''||[[Ajai Vasudev]]||Actor Only

|}

===Sibi K Thomas (as writer)===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Notes
|-
|2021
|''[[Kuttavum Shikshayum (2021 film)|Kuttavum Shiksheyum]]''
|[[Rajeev Ravi]]
|OTT Release

|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{imdb name|id=1437907|name=Udayakrishna}}
* {{imdb name|id=1440053|name=Siby K. Thomas}}
* {{cite web|url=http://varnachitram.com/2006/07/24/interview-sibi-k-thomas-uday-krishna-part-1/|title=Interview: Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|publisher=Varnachithram}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/gallery/events/12017.html|title=Video interview: Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|publisher=Indiaglitz|date=14 April 2007}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian screenwriting duos]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

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Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas