HectorOtoole at 09:32, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T09:32:50Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian film director}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dr. Biju
| image = Dr. Biju.jpg
| caption = Dr. Biju in 2010
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|05|31}}
| birth_place = [[Kudassanad]], [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
* Film director
* doctor
}}
| yearsactive = 2005–present
| spouse = Vijayasree P
| domesticpartner =
| children = 1
| parents =
| website = {{URL|drbiju.in}}
}}

'''Bijukumar Damodaran''', known mononymously as '''Dr. Biju''', is an Indian [[film director]] and [[screenwriter]]. He is best known for films such as ''[[Saira (film)|Saira]]'' (2005), ''[[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]]'' (2010), ''[[Akasathinte Niram]]'' (2012), ''[[Perariyathavar]]'' (2013), ''[[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]]'' (2016), ''[[Sound of Silence (2017 film)|Sound of Silence]]'' (2017), ''[[Painting Life]]'' (2018) and ''[[Veyilmarangal]]'' (2019).

Biju has received three [[National Film Awards (India)|National Film Awards]], and his films have been screened at multiple international film festivals and won numerous awards including the Golden Goblet Award for Best Artistic Achievement at the Shanghai Film Festival 2019. His films were screened at festivals including Cannes, Montreal, Shanghai, Telluride, Moscow, Cairo, Iran (Fajr), Eurasia, Almaty, Jeonju, Tallinn, Oporto, Dhaka, IFFK and IFFI.

== Career ==
Biju debuted into films as writer and director with ''[[Saira (film)|Saira]]'' (2005). It was first part of terrorism trilogy and in 2007 premiered at the [[Cannes International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=K|first1=Bhumika|title=I make films for myself|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/interview-with-bijukumar-damodaran/article6768003.ece|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=The Hindu|date=8 January 2015|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Meenakshi Shedde|title=Bollywood and the minority question|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/printcontent/42335|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=Forbes India Magazine|date=16 February 2016}}</ref> His second film ''Raman'' (2008) was selected at [[Cairo International Film Festival]] (2009) in the ''Incredible India'' category. ''[[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]]'' (''The Way Home''; 2010) was last film of the trilogy and earned a [[National Film Awards (India)|National Film Award]] for best [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Meghna George|title='Veettilekkulla Vazhi is at par with world cinema'|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview/20110819.htm|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=Rediff|date=19 August 2011}}</ref>

His fourth film ''[[Akasathinte Niram]]'' (''Color of Sky''; 2012), was premiered at 15th [[Shanghai International Film Festival]] in the International competition section.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Vijay G|title=The only Indian film at Shanghai film festival|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-the-only-indian-film-at-shanghai-film-festival/20120720.htm|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=Rediff|date=20 July 2012}}</ref> Biju's next film, ''[[Perariyathavar]]'' (''Names Unknown'', 2014) received two National Film Awards in 2014 for the Best Actor and Best film on Environment conservation, and was screened at the [[Montreal World Film Festival]] (2014).<ref>{{cite news|title='Perariyathavar' an art film on garbage dumping|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/perariyathavar-an-art-film-on-garbage-dumping-726342.html|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=News18|date=16 November 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, he directed ''[[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]]'' (''Birds With Large Wings''; 2015) which was premiered at [[United Nations]], [[Geneva]] as a part of the [[United Nations Environment Programme]],<ref>{{cite news|author1=Deepika Jayaram|title=Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal screened at Geneva - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Valiya-Chirakulla-Pakshikal-screened-at-Geneva/articleshow/49768026.cms|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=The Times of India|date=12 November 2015}}</ref> and received National Film Award (2015) for the Best film on Environment conservation.<ref>{{cite news|title=63rd National Film Awards: Top acting honours for Amitabh Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/63rd-national-film-awards-baahubali-best-film-amitabh-bachchan-best-actor-kangana-wins-best-actress/|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=The Indian Express|date=28 March 2016}}</ref> His 2016 film ''[[Kaadu Pookkunna Neram]]'' (''When The Woods Bloom'') was premiered at the [[Eurasia International Film Festival]], [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]], [[International Film Festival of Kerala]], and the Montreal World Film Festival, in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Anu|title=Watch Kaadu Pookkunna Neram trailer featuring Indrajith Sukumaran, Rima Kallingal|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/watch-kaadu-pookkunna-neram-trailer-featuring-indrajith-sukumaran-rima-kallingal-703084|accessdate=20 November 2016|work=International Business Times, India Edition|date=8 November 2016|language=en}}</ref>

In 2016, his next film ''[[Kaadu Pookkunna Neram]]'' premiered at [[Montreal World Film Festival]] (2016). In 2017, Dr.Biju directed his first non-Malayalam in Pahari, Hindi and Tibetan languages. The film ''[[Sound of Silence (2017 film)]]'' (2017) won the Best Director award at [[Kolkata International Film Festival]] (2017).<ref name="23Calcutta">{{cite news|work=Outlook|title=Los Perros' gets the Best Film award in KIFF international - Outlook|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/los-perros-gets-the-best-film-award-in-kiff-international/1190897 |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>

In 2018, Dr.Biju directed a film in English language titled ''[[Painting Life]]'' (2018). The film premiered at [[Montreal World Film Festival]] (2018). In 2019 Dr.Biju's tenth film ''[[Veyilmarangal]]'' (2019) premiered at [[Shanghai International Film Festival]] (2019). The film won the Golden Goblet award for outstanding artistic achievement.<ref name="Shanghai">{{cite news|newspaper= The New Indian Express|title=Veyilmarangal' wins acclaim at Shanghai International Film Festival|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/jun/25/veyilmarangal--wins-acclaim-at-shanghai-intl-film-festival-1994794.html |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>

In 2020, he directed the film ''House of Orange Trees'' which premiered at the Kolkata International Film Festival 2020. His next film ''The Portraits'' (2021) premiered at the Moscow International film festival 2021. In 2021 he directed his first film in Telugu language titled ''Sthalam'' (The Land). The film premiered at Dhaka International Film festival 2023.

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Original title
! English title
! Language
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Saira (film)|Saira]]''
| ''Saira''
| [[Malayalam]]
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Raman (film)|Raman]]''
| ''Travelogue of Invasion''
| Malayalam, [[English language|English]]
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]]''
| ''The Way Home''
| rowspan="5" | Malayalam
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Akasathinte Niram]]''
| ''Colour of Sky''
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Perariyathavar]]''
| ''Names Unknown''
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]]''
| ''Birds With Large Wings''
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Kaadu Pookkunna Neram]]''
| ''When The Woods Bloom''
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Sound of Silence (2017 film)|Sound of Silence]]''
| ''Sound of Silence''
| Hindi, [[Pahari language|Pahari]]
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Painting Life]]''
| ''Painting Life''
| English
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Veyilmarangal]]''
| ''Trees Under the Sun''
| rowspan="3" | Malayalam
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Orange Marangalude Veedu]]''
| ''House Of Orange Trees''
|-
| 2021
| ''The Portraits''
| ''The Portraits''
|-
| 2022
| ''Sthalam''
| ''The Land''
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Adrishya Jalakangal]]''
| ''Invisible Windows''
| Malayalam
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Papa Buka]]''
| ''Papa Buka''
| [[Tok Pisin]]
|}

== Awards and honours ==

; [[National Film Awards]]

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Category
! Film
! Result
! Note
|-
| 2010
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam|Best Feature Film in Malayalam]]
| ''[[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]]'' (The way home)<ref>{{cite news|author1= Times of India|title=National Awards 2010 Winners- Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/national-awards-winners/2010/108}}</ref>
| Won
|
|-
| 2013
| [[National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation|Best Film on Environmental Conservation]]
| ''[[Perariyathavar]]'' (Names Unknown)<ref>{{cite news|author1= Deccan Chronicle|title=Winners of the prestigious 61st National Film Awards are...- Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140416/entertainment-bollywood/article/winners-prestigious-61st-national-film-award-are}}</ref>
| Won
| The film also won Best Actor Award to actor [[Suraj Venjaramoodu]]
|-
| 2015
| [[National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation|Best Film on Environmental Conservation]]
| ''[[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]]'' (Birds with large wings)<ref>{{cite news|author1= Deccan Chronicle|title=It's raining awards for M-town- Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/290316/it-s-raining-awards-for-m-town.html}}</ref>
| Won
|
|}

; International Awards

{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Film Festival/Organization
! Year
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
| Golden Goblet award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gokul M. G. |title='Love is all i return' |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/080719/love-is-all-i-return.html |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Shanghai"/>
| 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival
| 2019
| [[Veyilmarangal]] (Trees Under The Sun)
| Won
|-
| Jury Prize for Best Film
| Festival des cinémas indiens de Toulouse/Toulouse Indian Film Festival, France
| 2020
| [[Veyilmarangal]] (Trees Under The Sun)
| Won
|-
| NETPAC Award for Best Malayalam Film<ref>{{cite news |title='They Say Nothing Stays the Same' and 'Jallikattu' win big at IFFK |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/12/13/iffk-2019-final-aards-jallikattu-lijo-jose-they-say-nothing-stays-same-odagiri.html |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Malayala Manorama |date=13 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper= The Hindu|title=Suvarna Chakoram at IFFK for Japanese film 'They Say Nothing Stays the Same-The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/suvarna-chakoram-at-iffk-for-japanese-film-they-say-nothing-stays-the-same/article30300739.ece |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
| International Film Festival of Kerala
| 2019
| [[Veyilmarangal]] (Trees Under The Sun)
| Won
|-
| Best International Feature Film Award<ref>{{cite web|website= Onlookersmedia.in |title=Veyilmarangal Wins yet another international award-Onlookersmedia|date=23 December 2020 |url= http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/veyilmarangal-wins-yet-another-international-award/ |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
| Chongqing Pioneer Art Film Festival, China
| 2020
| [[Veyilmarangal]] (Trees Under The Sun)
| Won
|-
| Life Award<ref>{{cite web |title=AWARDS IMAGINEINDIA 2022 |date=October 2022 |url=https://imagineindiafestival.com/awards-2022/ |publisher=Imagine India International Film Festival |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128114154/https://imagineindiafestival.com/awards-2022/ |archive-date=28 November 2022}}</ref>
| Imagineindia International Film Festival, Madrid, Spain
| 2022
| The Portraits
| Won
|-
| Critics award
| Rajasthan International Film Festival, India
| 2022
| [[The Portraits]]
| Won
|-
| Prémio da Crítica (Critics award)<ref>{{cite web |title=Fantasporto 2019: Conheça os Vencedores |date=9 March 2019 |url=https://www.centralcomics.com/fantasporto-2019-vencedores/ |publisher=Central Comics |access-date=1 February 2023 |language=Portuguese}}</ref>
| 39th Oporto International film festival, Portugal,
| 2019
| [[Painting Life]]
| Won
|-
| Best Screen Play Award
| Aurangabad International film festival
| 2019
| [[Painting Life]]
| Won
|-
| Best Director<ref name="23Calcutta"/>
| 23rd Kolkata International Film Festival India
| 2017
| [[Sound Of Silence]]
| Won
|-
| Best Film<ref>{{cite web |title=ഓറഞ്ച് മരങ്ങളുടെ വീട് സിൻസിനാറ്റി ഇന്ത്യൻ ഫിലിം ഫെസ്റ്റിവലിലേക്ക്!; സന്തോഷം പങ്കിട്ട് സംവിധായകൻ! |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/director-bijukumar-damodarans-house-of-orange-trees-has-been-selected-to-indian-film-festival-cincinnati-ohio/articleshow/84553484.cms |website=Samayam |access-date=2 February 2023 |language=ml |date=19 July 2021}}</ref>
| Indian Film Festival Cincinnati Ohio, USA
| 2017
| [[Sound Of Silence]]
| Won
|-
| Special Jury Mention<ref>{{cite news |title=Kyrgyz and Kannada films bag top honours |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/kyrgyz-and-kannada-films-bag-top-honours/articleshow/57073074.cms |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=10 February 2017}}</ref>
| Bangalore International Film Festival, India
| 2017
| [[Kaadu Pookkunna Neram]] (When The Woods Bloom)
| Won
|-
| World Humanitarian Award<ref>{{cite news |last1=Steve Persall |title=Tampa resident Dr. A.K. Pillai wins Indian National Film Award |url=https://www.tampabay.com/tampa-resident-dr-ak-pillai-wins-indian-national-film-award/2279116/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=26 May 2016}}</ref>
| Jakarta World Humanitarian Award
| 2015
| [[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]] (Birds With Large Wings)
| Won
|-
| Best Film
| Indian International Film Festival Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| 2016
| [[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]] (Birds With Large Wings)
| Won
|-
| Best Director
| Indian International Film Festival Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| 2016
| [[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]] (Birds With Large Wings)
| Won
|-
| Best Screenplay
| Indian International Film Festival Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| 2016
| [[Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal]] (Birds With Large Wings)
| Won
|-
| Best Film on Global Message
| Jaipur International film festival
| 2015
| [[Perariyathavar]] (Names Unknown)
| Won
|-
| Best Screenplay award<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jim Luce |title=NY Indian American Film Festival Triumphant in 13th Year |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ny-indian-american-film-f_b_3337037 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=The Huffington Post |date=25 May 2013}}</ref>
| New York Indian Film Festival, USA
| 2013
| [[Akasathinte Niram]] (Color of Sky)
| Won
|-
| NETPAC Award for Best Malayalam Film<ref>{{cite news |last1=Unni R. Nair |title=15th Iffk concludes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/15th-iffk-concludes/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=31 December 2010}}</ref>
| 15th International Film Festival of Kerala
| 2010
| [[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]] (The Way Home)
| Won
|-
| Signis Award – Commendation<ref>{{cite web |title=Winners Announced at Annual ZIFF Awards Ceremony |url=https://africultures.com/murmures/?no=7524 |publisher=Africultures |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
| Zanzibar International Film Festival, Tanzania
| 2011
| Veettilekkulla Vazhi (The Way Home)
| Won
|-
| Best Director<ref name="IIIFF 2011">{{cite web |last1=Shekhar Hooli |title=Veettilekkulla Vazhi win three awards at Imagine Film Fest |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2011/veettilekkulla-vazhi-win-3-awards-iiiff-150611-aid0062.html?story=1 |publisher=Filmibeat |access-date=1 February 2023 |date=15 June 2011}}</ref>
| 10Th Imagine India International Film Festival Madrid, Spain
| 2011
| [[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]] (The Way Home)
| Won
|-
| Best Film<ref name="IIIFF 2011"/>
| 10Th Imagine India International Film Festival Madrid, Spain
| 2011
| [[Veettilekkulla Vazhi]] (The Way Home)
| Won
|}

; [[Kerala State Film Awards]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Category
! Film
! Result
|-
| 2010
| [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Article on Cinema|Best Article on Cinema]]<ref name="Kerala State Film Award 2000 to 2012">{{Cite web |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm |title=State Film Awards (2000–12) |publisher=[[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707210332/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards4.htm |archive-date=7 July 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
| "Kollaruthu Samvidhayakare"
| Won
|-
| 2011
| [[Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award|Special Jury Award]]<ref name="Kerala State Film Award 2000 to 2012"/>
| [[Akasathinte Niram]] (Color of Sky)
| Won
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=3373269|name=Bijukumar Damodaran}}
{{Dr. Biju}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biju}}
[[Category:Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Indian homeopaths]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]]
[[Category:National Film Award (India) winners]]
[[Category:Film people from Kerala]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Dr. Biju - Revision history

HectorOtoole at 09:32, 14 March 2026