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Martin Prakkat

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Martin Prakkat
Born
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • film producer
Years active2010–present

Martin Prakkat is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer known for visually rich, character‑driven Malayalam films such as Best Actor, ABCD, Charlie and Nayattu, and is regarded as one of the most acclaimed contemporary filmmakers in the industry. His work has earned multiple Kerala State Film Awards and strong critical and audience appreciation, especially for Charlie and Nayattu.

Early life and background

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Martin Prakkat is an Indian filmmaker who hails from Kerala and works primarily in the Malayalam film industry. Before entering cinema, he worked for around a decade as a celebrity photographer with Vanitha, a popular Malayalam magazine, which shaped his visual sensibility and eye for character detail.

Career

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Martin transitioned from photography to filmmaking with his debut feature Best Actor in 2010, a comedy‑drama starring Mammootty as a schoolteacher aspiring to become an actor; the film was a commercial success and received positive reviews and received the 2010 Kerala film critrics awards for best debutant director. He followed this with the youth‑centric ABCD: American‑Born Confused Desi (2013) featuring Dulquer Salmaan and Aparna Gopinath, which became a box‑office hit and reinforced his reputation for accessible, urban storytelling.

In 2015, Prakkat directed Charlie, a romantic drama headlined by Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy Thiruvothu, noted for its whimsical narrative style, strong performances and distinctive production design. After a gap as director, he returned with Nayattu (2021), a tense socio‑political thriller about three policemen on the run, widely praised for its realistic portrayal of police and political pressure and for its performances and craft.

Charlie was the highlight at the Kerala State Film Awards 2015 winning in 8 categories,[1] with Martin bagging the award for the best director, Martin-Unni R. combo winning the award for best screenplay, Dulquer winning the best actor for his performance in Charlie and Parvathy winning the best actress award for her performance in Charlie and Ennu Ninte Moideen. Cinematographer of the movie, Jomon T. John bagged the award for the best cinematographer for his work in Charlie, Ennu Ninte Moideen and Nee-Na.[2]

Filmography

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As a director, Prakkat’s feature films include Best Actor (2010), ABCD: American‑Born Confused Desi (2013), Charlie (2015) and Nayattu (2021). Beyond direction, he has been active as a writer and producer, contributing to projects such as Udaharanam Sujatha (2017), Archana 31 Not Out (2022), Iratta (2023) and Officer on Duty (2025), often collaborating with actors like Joju George and banners such as Udaya Pictures.

Style and themes

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Prakkat’s films often blend mainstream entertainment with strong character arcs, emotional depth and detailed visual design. His work ranges from aspirational comedies and youth dramas to romantic fables and hard‑hitting thrillers, but consistently reflects interest in personal freedom, social pressures and the inner lives of ordinary people.

In Charlie, he experimented with a fragmented, exploratory narrative structure that follows a free‑spirited protagonist through multiple lives he touches, combining travelogue‑like imagery with a fairy‑tale tone. With Nayattu, he shifted to a grounded, realistic style, using handheld camerawork and restrained staging to depict institutional power and the vulnerability of individuals within the system.

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Screenplay Producer
2010 Best Actor Yes Yes No Co-writer: Bipin Chandran
2013 ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi Yes Yes No Co-writer: Naveen Bhaskar, Sooraj-Neeraj [3]
2015 Charlie Yes Yes Yes Co-producer: Shebin Becker, Joju George
2017 Udaharanam Sujatha No No Yes Co-producer: Joju George
2021 Nayattu Yes No Yes Co-Producer: Ranjith, P. M. Sasidharan[4]
2022 Archana 31 Not Out No No Yes Co-producer: Renjith Nair, Siby Chavara
2023 Iratta No No Yes Co-producer: Joju George, Sijo Vadakkan
2025 Officer on Duty No No Yes Co-producer: Renjith Nair, Siby Chavara

Martin Prakkat Films (Production house)

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Martin Prakkat Films operates as a full-service production house handling commercials and feature films since 2015. The banner extends Martin Prakkat’s directorial sensibility into advertising, where human relationships, social themes, and layered emotions are often placed at the centre of the communication. Its work typically blends realistic performances, sensitive writing, and neat, aesthetically composed visuals that have become a recognizable signature for the brand.

Advertising work

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The production house has produced commercials for brands in banking, FMCG, jewellery, education, and consumer services, often timed around culturally significant moments like Onam and festive seasons. Campaigns such as South Indian Bank festive films, Parle-G’s “Genius Onam” ad, Kavitha Gold & Diamonds’ gender-neutral communication featuring Fahadh Faasil, and spots for H2O Care have been highlighted for their emotional storytelling and fresh approach to everyday themes. Industry coverage notes that these ads stand out for their sensitive casting, cinematic lighting, and music that supports the emotional arc rather than overpowering it.

On advertising platforms and social media, Martin Prakkat Films is frequently credited as the production partner on campaigns where the concept is built around inclusivity, family bonds, or subtle social commentary. These films often feature naturalistic performances and grounded locations, which help the narratives feel relatable while still maintaining a polished visual finish. YouTube hosts many of these commercials and brand films, where the production house is credited in titles or descriptions, allowing viewers to explore its ad portfolio through brand channels and agency uploads.

Feature films

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Under or in association with the Martin Prakkat Films banner, the team has backed or co-produced Malayalam feature films noted for strong scripts and visual finesse, including “Nayattu” and “Iratta,” among others. “Nayattu” earned wide critical attention as a gritty socio-political survival thriller, with reviewers praising its intense tone, realistic detailing, and cinematography by Shyju Khalid, elements that align with the production house’s emphasis on neat, immersive visuals. “Iratta,” co-presented with Appu Pathu Pappu Production House, drew appreciation for its tightly woven narrative and performance-driven storytelling, with trailers and promos circulating widely on YouTube and OTT-focused review channels.

Reviews of films associated with the banner consistently highlight a few common strengths: emotionally engaging character arcs, well-controlled pacing, and a visual language that supports mood and theme rather than flashy technique for its own sake. As a producer, Martin Prakkat Films often collaborates with strong writers, cinematographers, and composers, ensuring that sound design and music complement the understated visual design.

As actor

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Kerala State Awards 2015: Full list of winners". Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  2. ^ M, Athira (3 March 2016). "Martin Prakkat on his big win at kerala state film awards". The Hindu.
  3. ^ Nambidi, Parvathy (13 June 2013). "A frothy expat tale comes home". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  4. ^ "'നായാട്ടു'മായി മാർട്ടിൻ പ്രക്കാട്ട്; കുഞ്ചാക്കോ ബോബനും ജോജുവും നിമിഷയും വേഷമിടുന്നു". 16 September 2020.
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