# Ramasimhan
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{{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](/source/Meenangadi), [Wayanad](/source/Wayanad), [Kerala](/source/Kerala)
| other_names = Mamadarman
| occupation = {{hlist|Director|screenwriter|lyricist|editor}}
| years_active = 1980 – present
| parents =
| spouse = Amminiyamma [{{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 }}] In 1995, he directed ''[Pai Brothers](/source/Pai_Brothers)'', a comedy-drama starring [Innocent](/source/Innocent_(actor)) and [Jagathy Sreekumar](/source/Jagathy_Sreekumar) as two entrepreneurs entrapped in a [love triangle](/source/love_triangle). His 1997 comedy film ''[Junior Mandrake](/source/Junior_Mandrake)'' is one of his best known works, starring [Jagadish](/source/Jagadish) and Jagathy Sreekumar. It was based on the [bust](/source/Bust_(sculpture)) of Junior Mandake which is believed to be a [jinx](/source/jinx). The film was a commercial success.[{{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](/source/Samayam_Malayalam) |date=22 April 2020 |language=ml}}] In 2002, he directed another comedy film, ''[Bamboo Boys](/source/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](/source/National_Film_Award_for_Best_Educational%2FMotivational%2FInstructional_Film) at the 44th [National Film Awards](/source/National_Film_Awards).[{{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}}] It was followed by [comedy-drama](/source/comedy-drama) films ''[Gramapanchayath](/source/Gramapanchayath_(film))'' (1998), ''[Kudumba Vaarthakal](/source/Kudumba_Vaarthakal)'' (1998) and ''[Swastham Grihabharanam](/source/Swastham_Grihabharanam)'' (1999). His directorial ''[Senior Mandrake](/source/Senior_Mandrake)'' (2010), a sequel to ''Junior Mandrake'', received unfavourable reviews.[{{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](/source/Sify)|accessdate=20 June 2017}}] In 2011, he was banned by FEFKA for associating with acot [Thilakan](/source/Thilakan) and directing the film ''[Achan](/source/Achan_(2011_film))'' with him in the lead role.[{{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}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.doolnews.com/malayalam-film-director-ali-akbars-interview.html|title=തിലകന് മമ്മൂട്ടിയെക്കാള് നല്ല കമ്യൂണിസ്റ്റാണ്|publisher=|accessdate=20 June 2017}}] In 2012, he directed ''Ideal Couple''.[{{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](/source/The_Hindu)|date=2 September 2012|publisher=|accessdate=20 June 2017}}]
In 2020, Ramasimhan announced a film on [Variyankunnath Kunjahammad Haji](/source/Variyankunnath_Kunjahammad_Haji), which was produced through [crowdfunding](/source/crowdfunding), titled ''[1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare](/source/1921%3A_Puzha_Muthal_Puzha_Vare)'', based on the 1921 [Malabar rebellion](/source/Malabar_rebellion).[{{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}}] The film was released in March 2023.[{{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}}][{{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}}]
==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](/source/child_sexual_abuse) as he was abused by an ''[ustad](/source/ustad)'' (teacher) at his [madrasa](/source/madrasa) at [Meenangadi](/source/Meenangadi) when he was eight years old.[{{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](/source/Outlookindia)}}][{{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 }}] In December 2021, Ramasimhan announced that he was renouncing [Islam](/source/Islam) and he and his wife have decided to convert to Hinduism, and has [changed his name](/source/Name_change) to Ramasimhan.[{{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}}][{{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}}] He said the decision came after seeing disrespectful reactions by many [Muslims](/source/Muslims) who put [laughing emoji](/source/laughing_emoji) to the news about the [accidental death in a helicopter crash](/source/2021_Indian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_crash) of then-[Chief of Defence Staff](/source/Chief_of_Defence_Staff_(India)) [Bipin Rawat](/source/Bipin_Rawat).[{{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](/source/WION) |date=12 December 2021}}]
===Politics===
Ramasimhan was an [Kerala Students Union](/source/Kerala_Students_Union) (KSU) leader during his school days. After that, he stayed away from politics for a long period.[ In 2014, Ramasimhan contested in the [2014 Indian general election](/source/2014_Indian_general_election) from [Vatakara Lok Sabha constituency](/source/Vatakara_Lok_Sabha_constituency) as an [Aam Aadmi Party](/source/Aam_Aadmi_Party) (AAP) candidate. But lost to [Mullappally Ramachandran](/source/Mullappally_Ramachandran).][{{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}}] He left AAP within 15 days after election, alleging he found evidence for financial corruption within the party in [Kerala](/source/Kerala). He said he also communicated the matter with [Sarah Joseph](/source/Sarah_Joseph_(author)) who also left the party.[{{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](/source/Samayam_Malayalam)|date=30 December 2021|language=ml}}] In 2016, he contested in the [2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election](/source/2016_Kerala_Legislative_Assembly_election) from [Koduvally constituency](/source/Koduvally_Assembly_constituency) as a [Bharatiya Janata Party](/source/Bharatiya_Janata_Party) (BJP) candidate. But lost to [Karat Razak](/source/Karat_Razak).[{{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](/source/The_New_Indian_Express) |date=27 March 2016}}] In 2021, he resigned from BJP state committee, citing discontent to the party's then state leadership.[{{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](/source/The_Hindu)|date=12 October 2021}}]
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Directed films
! Year
! Title
! Writer
! Lyricist
! Other
! Notes
|-
|1988
|''[Maamalakalkkappurath](/source/Maamalakalkkappurath)''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|1992
|''[Mukhamudra](/source/Mukhamudra)''
|
|
|
|
|-
|1993
|''[Ponnuchaami](/source/Ponnuchaami)''
|
|
|
|
|-
|1995
|''[Pai Brothers](/source/Pai_Brothers)''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1997
|''[Junior Mandrake](/source/Junior_Mandrake)''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|1998
|''[Gramapanchayath](/source/Gramapanchayath_(film))''
|
|
|
|Cameo appearance
|-
|1998
|''[Kudumba Vaarthakal](/source/Kudumba_Vaarthakal)''
|
|
|
|
|-
|1999
|''[Swastham Grihabharanam](/source/Swastham_Grihabharanam)''
|
|
|
|
|-
|2002
|''[Bamboo Boys](/source/Bamboo_Boys)''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|2010
|''[Senior Mandrake](/source/Senior_Mandrake)''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Also editor
|-
|2011
|''[Achan](/source/Achan_(2011_film))''
|
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Also editor and cinematographer
|-
|2012
|''[Ideal Couple](/source/Ideal_Couple)''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Also editor
|-
|2023
|''[1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare -Mamadarma Funding](/source/1921%3A_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](/source/Kerala_State_Film_Award_for_Best_Debut_Director) - ''[Maamalakalkkappurath](/source/Maamalakalkkappurath)''