Blessy

His most recent release was his dream project, Aadujeevitham (2024).

• Name — Blessy • Birth Name — Blessy Ipe Thomas • Born — 3 September 1963 • Birthplace — Thiruvalla, Kerala, India • Occupation — * Film director • screenwriter • Years Active — 1986–present • Spouse — Mini • Children — 2 • Education — Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla • Awards — * National Film Awards • Kerala State Film Awards

Blessy was born on 3 September 1963 in Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. He was the youngest of six children born to Benny Thomas and Ammini Thomas. He lost his parents at a very young age. He studied at Mar Thoma School, SCS High School and Mar Thoma College in Thiruvalla. Blessy is married to Mini and has two children, Adith and Akhil.

Blessy worked as an assistant director with filmmakers such as Padmarajan, Lohithadas and Jayaraj. He scripted and directed his debut film Kaazhcha in 2004. Kaazcha portrayed the story of an orphaned boy, a victim of Gujarat earthquake and how he changes the life of a small-town film operator (played by Mammootty) and his family. The film won three Kerala State Film Awards including Best Debut Director, Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, and Best Actor (Mammootty). His second film was Thanmathra (2005), which depicted the story of a middle-class government employee (played by Mohanlal) and his family, and portrayed the effects of Alzheimer's disease on his life and his family. The film won Blessy National Award for the Best Feature Film in Malayalam and five Kerala State Film Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Mohanlal). Blessy's next venture had Mammootty in Palunku (2006), followed by Calcutta News (2008), starring Dileep and Meera Jasmine, went on to be marginal hits. Bhramaram (2009), which had Mohanlal once again in the lead role was another successful film. It was a story of revenge against those that falsely accused a man of murder and ruined his life. His 2011 film Pranayam includes Mohanlal, Anupam Kher, and Jaya Prada. His 2013 film Kalimannu starring Swetha Menon and Biju Menon in leading roles dwelled upon the theme of childbirth and the maternal and paternal connect towards a child. Menon's labor was shot live in the film. He directed a biopic documentary film titled 100 Years of Chrysostom (2018) based on the life of Christian prelate Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma. Beginning in 2015, it took two years to complete filming. A public screening was held for five consecutive days. With a runtime of 48 hours and 10 minutes, the film received the Guinness World Record for the longest documentary in the world. The film is narrated by Mohanlal. His latest film Aadujeevitham (2024) was a survival drama based on the novel Goat Days by Benyamin. It starred Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role and had music composed by A. R. Rahman. Development for the film began in 2008 and the film's production lasted for more than 6 years, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Easan (2010) • Best Actor (2010)

Blessy is recorded as having received Filmfare Awards South.

• Award — Year — Category — Movie — Notes • National Film Awards — 2005 — Best Feature Film in Malayalam — Thanmathra • Kerala State Film Awards — 2024 — Best Director — Aadujeevitham • Best Screen Play (Adapted) • Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value • 2011 — Best Director — Pranayam • 2005 — Best Director — Thanmathra • Best Screen Play • Best Film • 2004 — Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value — Kaazhcha • Best Debut Director • Filmfare Awards South — 2011 — Best Director — Pranayam • 2005 — Best Director — Thanmathra • 2004 — Best Director — Kaazhcha • Asianet Film Awards — 2005 — Best Director — Thanmathra • 2004 — Best Film — Kaazhcha

• 2006: Kalavedi International Prathibha Award Best Film Maker – Thanmathra • 2005: Kalavedi International Prathibha Award Best Film Maker – Kaazhcha • 2005: 15th Ramu Kariat Award - Kaazhcha