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{{short description|Indian film director, screenwriter, film distributor, exhibitor and producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = B Unnikrishnan
| image = B. Unnikrishnan.jpg
| birth_name = Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran Pillai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1970|08|14}}
| birth_place = [[Kollam]], Kerala (present-day [[Pathanamthitta]], Kerala, India)
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|producer/distributor|Exhibitor|writer}}
| years_active = 1999 – present
| spouse = Rajeswari Menon
| children =
| relatives = [[Mohanlal]]<ref>{{cite video |people=24 News |date=2025-03-23 |title=പ്രകൃതിയോട് ചേർന്ന് പഴമ കൈവിടാതെ മോഹൻലാലിൻറെ തറവാട് വീട് |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=1zTaC-AaaBdWUAAy&v=H8iRlz__KC4&feature=youtu.be |access-date=2025-03-23 |time=6:13 |publisher=YouTube Channel Name}}</ref>
}}

'''Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran Pillai''' (born 14 August 1970), known mononymously as '''B''' '''Unnikrishnan,''' is an Indian film director, screenwriter, distributor and exhibitor who works in the [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film industry]].

==Early life==
Unnikrishnan. B. was born on 14 August 1970 in [[Kollam district|Kollam]], Kerala (present-day [[Pathanamthitta district]] in Kerala) to Bhaskaran Pillai and Ponnamma Bhaskaran Pillai.<ref>{{cite web|title=ബി. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണന്റെ ജന്മദിനം|url=http://www.dcbooks.com/august-14.html|publisher=[[DC Books]]|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171025110231/http://www.dcbooks.com/august-14.html|archive-date=25 October 2017|language=ml|url-status=live}}</ref> He married Rajeswari Menon, a professor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-12-21 |title=I love cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Career==
He began his film career in 1999 by writing the screenplay of ''[[Jalamarmaram]]'' directed by [[T. K. Rajeev Kumar]], which won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay]] that year. The film dealt with the politics of water and environmentalism. In 2000, his screenplay ''[[Cover Story (2000 film)|Cover Story]]'' directed by [[G. S. Vijayan]] was released. It was a box office failure.<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=I love cinema|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171024113144/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-love-cinema/article4226044.ece|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the screenwriter of the thriller ''Black and White'', a television serial telecast in [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] in 2004, which won two Kerala State Television Awards.<ref name="serial">{{cite news|last=Manmadhan|first=Prema|title=Pangs of love|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/04/29/stories/2005042902490200.htm|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=29 April 2005}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=4 November 2005 |title='Avicharitham' wins five State television awards |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110411240400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501235847/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110411240400.htm |archive-date=1 May 2009 |access-date=24 October 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The serial was directed by [[Viji Thampi]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Unni|first1=Deepa|title=Viji Thampy|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=6005580&cid=2406|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025023424/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=6005580&cid=2406|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2017|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=24 October 2017}}</ref> in 2004, he wrote and directed a telefilm titled Antharangal, which won the Kerala state television award for the best telefilm. In 2005, he wrote, produced and directed a telefilm, ''Annum Mazhayayirunnu'' which was aired by [[Amrita TV]]. ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "The suspense that is maintained throughout the short movie, despite it being set in a domestic, sylvan setting, goes to the credit of the carefully crafted script".<ref name="serial"/> The telefilm won six Kerala State Television Awards, including Best Telefilm and Best screenplay for Unnikrishnan.<ref name="telefilm">{{cite news |date=7 May 2006 |title=Siddique, Ambili Devi adjudged best TV actors |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/siddique-ambili-devi-adjudged-best-tv-actors/article3129832.ece |access-date=24 October 2017 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

He scripted [[Shaji Kailas]]-directorial action film ''[[Shivam (2002 film)|Shivam]]'' in 2002 and the thriller film ''The Tiger'' in 2005,<ref>{{cite news|last=Manmadan|first=Prema|title=It's all about mind games|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/16/stories/2005121600370400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310181259/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/16/stories/2005121600370400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2007|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 December 2005}}</ref> the latter starring [[Suresh Gopi]] was successful.<ref>{{cite news|title=After 'The King and the Commissioner', actor Suresh Gopi to star in Shaji Kailas' next action flick|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/after-the-king-and-the-commissioner-actor-suresh-gopi-to-star-in-shaji-kailas-next-action-flick-733383.html|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[News18]]|date=29 December 2014}}</ref> He made his feature film directorial debut in 2006 with the action film ''[[Smart City (film)|Smart City]]''. His second directorial ''[[Madampi]]'' starring [[Mohanlal]] was a blockbuster . Unlike his previous films, ''Madampi'' was a family drama that told the story of a money lender in a village.<ref>{{cite news|last=പ്രതീഷ്‌|first=ടി. എസ്.|title=മാടമ്പിയെക്കുറിച്ച് ബി. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണൻ|url=http://archives.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/10995/|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171024165042/http://archives.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/10995|archive-date=24 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, he scripted and directed the action police story ''[[I. G. – Inspector General]]'' starring [[Suresh Gopi]]. The film talked issues like terrorism and communal politics.<ref>{{cite news|author= |title=No fears of being typecast: Suresh Gopi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/No-fears-of-being-typecast-Suresh-Gopi/article16611181.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 April 2009}}</ref> In the same year, he wrote and directed the segment ''Aviramam'' in the [[anthology film]] ''[[Kerala Cafe]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=Review:Kerala Cafe|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kerala-caf-review-malayalam-pclxtkiedhaca.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701144138/http://www.sify.com/movies/kerala-caf-review-malayalam-pclxtkiedhaca.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2016|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=24 October 2017|date=30 October 2009}}</ref> In 2010, he scripted and directed the political satire ''[[Pramani]]'' starring [[Mammootty]] as a corrupt panchayat president,<ref>{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Follow the leader|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Follow-the-leader/article16614576.ece|access-date=24 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 March 2010}}</ref> which was a box office failure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Box-Office- March 1 to April 13|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14938600&cid=14625530|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618102614/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14938600&cid=14625530|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2014|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=24 October 2017|date=15 April 2010}}</ref> It was followed by the action film ''[[The Thriller]]'', an investigative story starring [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] as a cop.

His directorial crime thriller ''[[Grandmaster (2012 film)|Grandmaster]]'' released in 2012 was written by himself starring [[Mohanlal]] as a loner cop who is challenged to investigate a crime. Not only that it was a financial success, but it showed [[Mohanlal]] in a totally different look and style.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nagarajan|first1=Saraswathy|title=Grandmaster in Hindi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/grandmaster-in-hindi/article3605693.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 July 2012}}</ref> ''Grandmaster'' was the first Malayalam film produced by [[UTV Motion Pictures|UTV]] and it is also the first Malayalam film to be released in [[Netflix]], apart from its theatrical release.<ref>{{cite news|last=Prakash|first=Asha|title=How about paying for viewing films online?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/How-about-paying-for-viewing-films-online/articleshow/16322780.cms|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 September 2010}}</ref> It was followed by ''[[I Love Me (film)|I Love Me]]'', a romantic thriller written by [[Sachi-Sethu|Sethu]], that revolves around a group of youngsters.<ref>{{cite news|last=George|first=Vijay|title=Selfless acts|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/selfless-acts/article4054345.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=1 November 2012}}</ref> In 2015, he wrote and directed the heist film ''[[Mr. Fraud]]'', starring [[Mohanlal]], which was a commercial failure.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Mr. Fraud comes to town|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/mr-fraud-comes-to-town/article6011835.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 May 2014}}</ref>

Unnikrishnan forayed into production and distribution with his company, RD Illuminations, which acquired and released the Malayalam dubbed versions of ''[[Sarrainodu]]'' (2016), ''[[Fidaa]]'' (2017), ''[[DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham]]'' (2017), and ''[[Bhaagamathie]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite news|last=Nair|first=Sree Prasad|title=After Allu Arjun's Yodhavu and Dhruvaraja Jagannadh, B Unnikrishnan to score hat-trick of hits with Fidaa|url=http://www.catchnews.com/regional-cinema/after-allu-arjun-s-yodhavu-and-dhruvaraja-jagannadh-b-unnikrishnan-to-score-hat-trick-of-hits-with-fidaa-80268.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=Catch News|date=5 September 2017}}</ref> He collaborated with [[Mohanlal]], in 2017, for the crime thriller, ''[[Villain (2017 film)|Villain]]''. With the film, he introduced [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] into [[Malayalam cinema]]. It was also the first Indian film to be completely shot in [[8K resolution]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramachandran|first=Mythily|title=Director Unnikrishnan returns with Mohanlal's 'Villain'|url=http://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/south-india/director-unnikrishnan-returns-with-mohanlal-s-villain-1.2112464|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[Gulf News]]|date=25 October 2017}}</ref> After that, he co-produced and distributed the action thriller, ''[[Swathandriam Ardharathriyil]]'' (2018). It was produced by B. C. Joshy, [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]], and [[Chemban Vinod Jose]]. It was a huge success at the box-office.<ref>{{cite news|author=Onmanorama staff|title=Angamaly's Vincent Peppe to play Kottayam banker in next|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2017/08/18/angamaly-diaries-antony-varghese-unnikrishnan-production-movie.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=18 August 2017}}</ref> In 2019, he wrote and directed the first Malayalam film produced by [[Viacom18 Motion Pictures]], ''[[Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel]]''.It was a commercial success. In 2022, he collaborated with [[Mohanlal]], for the fifth time, with ''[[Aaraattu (2021 film)|Neyyattinkara Gopante Aaraattu]]'' written by [[Udaykrishna]]. However, it was critically panned by both the critics and audience, alike and [[Box-Office Bomb|box-office failure]]. In 2023, he collaborated with [[Mammootty]], for a second time with ''[[Christopher (film)|Christopher]]'' written by [[Udaykrishna]], it received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christopher Movie: ക്രിസ്റ്റഫർ കളക്ഷൻ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പുറത്ത്; കേരളത്തിൽ നേടിയത് ഇത്രയും |trans-title=Christopher Movie: Christopher Collection Report Out; Kerala has achieved this much |url=https://zeenews-india-com.translate.goog/malayalam/movies/christopher-movie-first-day-box-office-original-collection-report-126339/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=Zee Malayalam News|date=10 February 2023 }}</ref>

==Other work==
Unnikrishnan was elected general secretary of [[Film Employees Federation of Kerala]] (FEFKA) in 2008, and was re-elected to the position three times{{mdash}}2010, 2013 and 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nayar|first=Parvathy S.|title=B Unnikrishnan is FEFKA general secretary again|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/B-Unnikrishnan-is-FEFKA-general-secretary-again/articleshow/19966845.cms|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fefka office-bearers|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Fefka-office-bearers/article15716709.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=FEFKA office-bearers elected|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/FEFKA-office-bearers-elected/article16985955.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 January 2017}}</ref> In 2014, he was elected as the general secretary of All India Film Employees Confederation (AIFEC).<ref>{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|title=I have no political ambitions: says B Unnikrishnan|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/i-have-no-political-ambitions-says-b-unnikrishnan-news-malayalam-oc0rbBaaficsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026011432/http://www.sify.com/movies/i-have-no-political-ambitions-says-b-unnikrishnan-news-malayalam-oc0rbBaaficsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2017|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=25 October 2017|ref=26 February 2014|language=en}}</ref>

He is a member in the advisory committee of Cine Workers' Welfare Board and director of Saamskaarika Kshemanidhi in Kerala.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} In 2016, he opened the multi-cuisine restaurant named Grandmaster's Kitchen in [[Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram]], the restaurant was named after his film ''[[Grandmaster (2012 film)|Grandmaster]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nagarajan|first=Saraswathy|title=Five-star dining experience|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/Five-star-dining-experience/article14410329.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=30 June 2016}}</ref>

He owns the film distribution company RD Illuminations, that debuted in 2016 by releasing ''[[Sarrainodu|Yodhavu]]'' in Kerala. He was the managing director of the film post-production studio [[Vismayas Max]] and also the [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]] Aries Plex SL Cinemas, a Double [[4K resolution|4K]] 64-channel [[Dolby Atmos]] theatre in Thiruvananthapuram.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sreekumar|first=Priya|title=Menu card of Unnikrishnanan|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/020616/menu-card-of-unnikrishnanan.html|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=2 June 2016}}</ref> It is the first theatre with Double 4K facility in South India.<ref>{{cite news|last=Praveen|first=S. R.|title=Baahubali director to watch his film in city|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/baahubali-director-to-watch-his-film-in-city/article7423949.ece|access-date=25 October 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 July 2015}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title
! colspan="2" | Credited as
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
! Director
! Writer
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Jalamarmaram]]''
|
| {{yes}}
| Director: [[T. K. Rajeev Kumar]]
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Cover Story (2000 film)|Cover Story]]''
|
| {{yes}}
| Director: [[G. S. Vijayan]]
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Shivam (2002 film)|Shivam]]''
|
| {{yes}}
| Director: [[Shaji Kailas]]
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Jana (film)|Jana]]''
|
| {{yes}}
| Director: [[Shaji Kailas]]; Tamil film debut
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Tiger (2005 film)|The Tiger]]''
|
| {{yes}}
| Director: Shaji Kailas
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Smart City (film)|Smart City]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Madampi]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| ''[[I. G. – Inspector General]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| ''[[Kerala Cafe|Aviramam]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Segment from ''[[Kerala Cafe]]''
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| ''[[Pramani]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| ''[[The Thriller]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2012
|''[[Grandmaster (2012 film)|Grandmaster]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| ''[[I Love Me (film)|I Love Me]]''
| {{yes}}
|
|Writer: [[Sachi-Sethu|Sethu]]
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Mr. Fraud]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Villain (2017 film)|Villain]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
|2019
| ''[[Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
|2022
| ''[[Aaraattu (2022 film)|Aaraattu]]''
| {{yes}}
|
|Writer: [[Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas|Udaykrishna]]
|-
|2023
| ''[[Christopher (film)|Christopher]]''
| {{yes}}
|
|Writer: [[Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas|Udaykrishna]]
|-
| 2026 || ''Prathichaya'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-17 |title=Nivin Pauly's Prathichaya gets release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2026/Mar/17/nivin-paulys-prathichaya-gets-release-date |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of television credits
! Year
! Title
! Credit
! Network
! Notes

|-
| 2004
| ''Black and White''
| Writer
| [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]
| Serial; director: [[Viji Thampi]]
|-
| 2005
| ''Annu Mazhayayirunnu''
| Director<br>Writer<br>Producer
| [[Amrita TV]]
| [[Television film|Telefilm]]
|}

==Accolades==

=== [[Kerala State Film Awards]] ===
* 1999: [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] – ''[[Jalamarmaram]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=State Film Awards – 1999|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm|publisher=[[Department of Information and Public Relations (Kerala)|Department of Information and Public Relations]]|access-date=24 October 2017|page=3|date=1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234157/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Kerala State Television Awards ===
* 2003: Best telefilm – Antharangal<ref name="telefilm" />
* 2005: Best Telefilm – ''Annum Mazhayayirunnu<ref name="telefilm" />''
* 2005: Best Screenplay – ''Annum Mazhayayirunnu<ref name="telefilm" />''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=2053461}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Unnikrishnan, B.}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:People from Pathanamthitta]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]
[[Category:Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:CMS College Kottayam alumni]]
[[Category:Film directors from Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Filmmaking pioneers]]

B. Unnikrishnan - Revision history

Brigette13M at 17:34, 27 March 2026