{{Short description|Film director (born 1953)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Ramasimhan Antharjanam Namboothiri | image = | caption = | birth_name = Ali Akbar Aboobakker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|02|20|df=yes}} | birth_place = Meenangadi, Wayanad, Kerala | other_names = Mamadarman | occupation = {{hlist|Director|screenwriter|lyricist|editor}} | years_active = 1980 – present | parents = | spouse = Amminiyamma <ref name="India Today"/> | children = 4 | relatives = | awards = Thekkedatthamma Award 2026 }}
'''Ramasimhan Aboobakker''' (born '''Ali Akbar Aboobakker'''; 20 February 1953), formerly credited as '''Ali Akbar''', is an Kerala film director, screenwriter, editor, and lyricist who works in Malayalam cinema. He has had directed more than 5 Malayalam films. He is mostly known for directing comedy-drama films, such as ''Junior Mandrake'', ''Gramapanchayath'', ''Kudumba Vaarthakal'', and ''Bamboo Boys''.
He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director for his debut film ''Bamboo Boys'' (2002), and the National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film for ''Rabia Chalikkunnu'' (1996). He was professionally credited as Ali Akbar until 2021. In 2021, he left Islam and started practising Hinduism, he changed his name to Ramasimhan.
==Early life== {{expand section|date=March 2023}} He was born in a Mappila Muslim family in Meenangadi in Kerala, India, on 20 February 1963.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}
==Film career== Ramasimhan made his directorial debut with the 1988 Malayalam film ''Mamalakalkkappurathu'', for which he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Debut Director that year.<ref name="Arch">{{cite news |title=Web.Archive: Official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF KERALA |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm |access-date=10 October 2021 |date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234213/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref> In 1995, he directed ''Pai Brothers'', a comedy-drama starring Innocent and Jagathy Sreekumar as two entrepreneurs entrapped in a love triangle. His 1997 comedy film ''Junior Mandrake'' is one of his best known works, starring Jagadish and Jagathy Sreekumar. It was based on the bust of Junior Mandake which is believed to be a jinx. The film was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Babu |first1=Bibin |title=ജൂനിയർ മാൻഡ്രേക്കിലെ ആ രംഗങ്ങള് ഷൂട്ട് ചെയ്തത് ഇങ്ങനെയാണ്! |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/junior-mandrake-movie-behind-the-scenes-goes-viral-on-social-media/articleshow/75286316.cms?story=1 |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=Samayam Malayalam |date=22 April 2020 |language=ml}}</ref> In 2002, he directed another comedy film, ''Bamboo Boys'', about four tribal men who come out of jungle on a quest to find a doctor in the city.
His 1996 drama film ''Rabia Chalikkunnu'' won the National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film at the 44th National Film Awards.<ref name="44thawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/44th_nff_1997.pdf|title=44th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> It was followed by comedy-drama films ''Gramapanchayath'' (1998), ''Kudumba Vaarthakal'' (1998) and ''Swastham Grihabharanam'' (1999). His directorial ''Senior Mandrake'' (2010), a sequel to ''Junior Mandrake'', received unfavourable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/senior-mandrake-review-malayalam-14929583.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223134141/http://www.sify.com/movies/senior-mandrake-review-malayalam-14929583.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 December 2015|title=Review|website=Sify|accessdate=20 June 2017}}</ref> In 2011, he was banned by FEFKA for associating with acot Thilakan and directing the film ''Achan'' with him in the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/ban-on-ali-akbar-malayalam-news-65943|title=IndiaGlitz - Ban on Ali Akbar|date=18 April 2011|publisher=|accessdate=20 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doolnews.com/malayalam-film-director-ali-akbars-interview.html|title=തിലകന് മമ്മൂട്ടിയെക്കാള് നല്ല കമ്യൂണിസ്റ്റാണ്|publisher=|accessdate=20 June 2017}}</ref> In 2012, he directed ''Ideal Couple''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/a-balancing-act/article3849041.ece|title=A balancing act|first=K. R.|last=Manigandan|work=The Hindu|date=2 September 2012|publisher=|accessdate=20 June 2017}}</ref>
In 2020, Ramasimhan announced a film on Variyankunnath Kunjahammad Haji, which was produced through crowdfunding, titled ''1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare'', based on the 1921 Malabar rebellion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2021/01/25/ali-akbar-announces-shooting-of-the-film.html|title=കിട്ടിയത് ഒരു കോടി: പ്രമുഖ താരങ്ങള് വരും, പേരുകള് പറയില്ല: അലി അക്ബർ}}</ref> The film was released in March 2023.<ref name="NIE">{{cite news |title=Ali Akbar's take on 1921 rebellion to go on floors in February |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/oct/26/ali-akbars-take-on-1921-rebellion-to-go-on-floors-in-feb-2215026.html |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=26 Oct 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1921 പുഴ മുതൽ പുഴ വരെ ട്രെയിലർ; അലി അക്ബറിനു വിമർശനം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2021/04/16/1921-puzha-muthal-puzha-vare-trailer-ali-akbar.html |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=ManoramaOnline |date=17 Apr 2021 |language=ml}}</ref>
==Personal life== Ramasimhan is married to Amminiyamma and the couple has two daughters and two sons.
===Religion=== In 2015, Ramasimhan said that he was a victim of child sexual abuse as he was abused by an ''ustad'' (teacher) at his madrasa at Meenangadi when he was eight years old.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Madrasa Row: Kerala Filmmaker Alleges Abuse By Teacher|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/madrasa-row-kerala-filmmaker-alleges-abuse-by-teacher/922230|access-date=2022-01-12|website=Outlookindia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/madrasa-row-kerala-filmmaker-says-he-was-abused-by-teacher-521770-2015-11-30|title=Madrasa row: Kerala filmmaker says he was abused by teacher|date=30 November 2015 }}</ref> In December 2021, Ramasimhan announced that he was renouncing Islam and he and his wife have decided to convert to Hinduism, and has changed his name to Ramasimhan.<ref name="India Today">{{cite news |last= Oommen|first= Ricksen|date=11 December 2021|title=Kerala filmmaker Ali Akbar to convert to Hinduism, says have lost faith in religion|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-filmmaker-ali-akbar-hinduism-bipin-rawat-death-1886676-2021-12-11|newspaper=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala filmmaker Ali Akbar to convert to Hinduism, says have lost faith in religion|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-filmmaker-ali-akbar-hinduism-bipin-rawat-death-1886676-2021-12-11|access-date=2021-12-13|website=India Today|date=11 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He said the decision came after seeing disrespectful reactions by many Muslims who put laughing emoji to the news about the accidental death in a helicopter crash of then-Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat.<ref>{{cite news |author1=WION Web Team |title=Filmmaker Ali Akbar converts to Hinduism, condemns disrespectful reactions on CDS Bipin Rawat's death |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/filmmaker-ali-akbar-converts-to-hinduism-condemns-disrespectful-reactions-on-cds-bipin-rawats-death-436313 |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=WION |date=12 December 2021}}</ref>
===Politics=== Ramasimhan was an Kerala Students Union (KSU) leader during his school days. After that, he stayed away from politics for a long period.<ref name=samayam/> In 2014, Ramasimhan contested in the 2014 Indian general election from Vatakara Lok Sabha constituency as an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate. But lost to Mullappally Ramachandran.<ref name=TNIE/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/news/kerala/director-ali-akbar-will-contest-for-aap-in-vatakara-lse-119306.html|title=സിനിമയില് നിന്നൊരു സ്ഥാനാര്ത്ഥി കൂടി;അലി അക്ബര്|date=20 March 2014|publisher=|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref> He left AAP within 15 days after election, alleging he found evidence for financial corruption within the party in Kerala. He said he also communicated the matter with Sarah Joseph who also left the party.<ref name=samayam>{{cite news|author=Samayam Desk|title=അലി അക്ബർ സംസാരിക്കുന്നു; 'ഞാനെങ്ങനെ രാമസിംഹനായി' |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/latest-news/kerala-news/malayalam-film-director-ali-akbar-on-changing-his-name-to-ramasimhan-interview/articleshow/88587528.cms|access-date=9 March 2023|work=Samayam Malayalam|date=30 December 2021|language=ml}}</ref> In 2016, he contested in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Koduvally constituency as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. But lost to Karat Razak.<ref name=TNIE>{{cite news |last1=S. |first1=Anil |last2=Nair |first2=N. V. Ravindranathan |title=Young Aspirants in a Daze |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2016/mar/27/young-aspirants-in-a-daze-916695.html |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=The New Indian Express |date=27 March 2016}}</ref> In 2021, he resigned from BJP state committee, citing discontent to the party's then state leadership.<ref>{{cite news|author=Special correspondent|title=Ali Akbar quits State BJP committee|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/ali-akbar-quits-state-bjp-committee/article36973394.ece|access-date=9 March 2023|work=The Hindu|date=12 October 2021}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |+Directed films ! Year ! Title ! Writer ! Lyricist ! Other ! Notes |- |1988 |''Maamalakalkkappurath'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | | |- |1992 |''Mukhamudra'' | | | | |- |1993 |''Ponnuchaami'' | | | | |- |1995 |''Pai Brothers'' |{{yes}} | | | |- |1997 |''Junior Mandrake'' | |{{yes}} | | |- |1998 |''Gramapanchayath'' | | | |Cameo appearance |- |1998 |''Kudumba Vaarthakal'' | | | | |- |1999 |''Swastham Grihabharanam'' | | | | |- |2002 |''Bamboo Boys'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | | |- |2010 |''Senior Mandrake'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Also editor |- |2011 |''Achan'' | |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Also editor and cinematographer |- |2012 |''Ideal Couple'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Also editor |- |2023 |''1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare -Mamadarma Funding'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Also editor, producer, and stunt choreographer |}
==Awards== * 1988 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Debut Director - ''Maamalakalkkappurath''<ref name="Arch" /> * 1996 - 44th National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film - ''Rabia Chalikkunnu''<ref name="44thawardPDF" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0015133}} * [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=director&artist=Ali+Akbar Ali Akbar at Msidb] * {{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=142 |title=Ali Akbar |publisher=Malayala Chalachithram}}
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Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Malayalam screenwriters Category:Malayalam-language lyricists Category:People from Wayanad district Category:20th-century Indian people Category:21st-century Indian people Category:Film directors from Wayanad district Category:Screenwriters from Kerala Category:Converts to Hinduism from Sunni Islam Category:Indian former Sunni Muslims Category:Indian Hindus