While Malayalam cinema has, over the years, created several exceptionally talented writers, including MT Vasudevan Nair, KG George, P Padmarajan, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Lohithadas, John Paul, Thoppil Bhasi, Raghunath Paleri, Siddique–Lal and Syam Pushkaran, among others, Sreenivasan ranks among one of the most celebrated and successful of all time. With numerous blockbusters to his name — many of which played a key role in shaping the careers of industry bigwigs like Mohanlal, Priyadarshan and Sathyan Anthikad — Sreenivasan and his films continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Malayalees. Beyond screenwriting, Sreenivasan has also established himself as a talented actor, thus making his return to the screen in the latest Malayalam film Aap Kaise Ho all the more significant for audiences.
Humour has always been writer Sreenivasan’s forte, with social issues serving as recurring themes in his films. However, his early scripts were largely straightforward comedies, relying heavily on slapstick and exaggerated humour. Interestingly, his journey as a screenwriter began with Priyadarshan. By then, Sreenivasan — who debuted in Manimuzhakkam (1976) — had already become a familiar face. As he once shared, despite the shoot for his sophomore directorial venture fast approaching, Priyadarshan had yet to write a script. When Sreenivasan approached him seeking a role, the director told him that he could act in the film only if he wrote the screenplay, without which the movie wouldn’t happen at all. This led to the birth of Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), based on a story by Priyadarshan. The film became one of the most successful comedies of its time, earning widespread acclaim for its sharp writing, witty dialogues and memorable one-liners.