{{Short description|Indian short-story writer and screenwriter}} {{BLP sources|date=September 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Unni R. | image = Unni R.jpg | caption = Unni R. in 2010 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1971|04|12}} | birth_place = Kottayam, Kerala, India | birth_name = P. Jayachandran | occupation = {{hlist|short story writer|screenwriter}} <!--| language = Malayalam-->| alma_mater = | movement = | spouse = | children = | parents = {{ublist|N. Parameswaran Nair|K. A. Radhamma}} <!--| residence = karamana, Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram-->}}
'''P. Jayachandran ''' (born 12 April 1971), better known by his pen name '''Unni R.''', is an Indian short-story writer and screenwriter, who is known for his work in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. Born in Kudamaloor in Kottayam district, he is currently based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He studied in Kudamaloor LP school, CMS college High school, CMS College Kottayam and Baselius College, Kottayam.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} Unni R. won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay for the film ''Charlie'' (2015).
== Career == For the story of same name, he has received the Kerala Sahithya Academy Geetha Hiranyan Endowment, Anganam-E.P. Sushama Endowment and Thomas Mundasseri Award. Ozhivudivasathe Kali has been later made into the film of the same name by Director Sanal Shashidaran. It won the 46th Kerala State Award for Best Film in 2015. He was a recipient of several awards including K.A. Kodunalloor Award and T.P Kishore Memorial Award (both for Praanilokam); V.P. Shivakumar Memorial Award and SBT Award (both for Mudraraakshasam); as well as Abu Dhabi Shakti Award and Ayanam C.V. Sriraman Award (both for Kottayam 17).{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
His works have been translated into English and other Indian languages such as Tamil. His Leela and Bhootam were translated for the Tamil monthly magazine Kaalachuvadu by Tamil poet Sukumaran. Kalinaadakam which was translated to Tamil has been widely read and noted Tamil writer Perumal Murukan opined in his 19th D.C. Kizhakemuri Memorial lecture that Unni R.’s stories have extensive readership in Tamil Nadu along with the veterans such as Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Madhavikutty. Several of his articles, including one on Nakulan and on Madhavikutty, were also translated to Tamil and English. Indian Literature, a bi-monthly journal of Sahitya Academy featured his translated stories – Catwalk (Vol.231/2006) and Pedestrian named Badushah (Vol 260/2010). Malayalam Literary Survey (Jan-Mar 2008) published the translation of his short story, The Kali Play.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
Besides screen writing, he has also acted as supporting roles in Aparahnam, Chappakurishu, Munnariyippu etc. He started his career as a sub-editor in the Karpooram Weekly, Kottayam, Kerala (1994-1995). He also worked as a Producer in Asianet Satellite Communications for a long period of time (1995-2013).{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
Unni R.'s short story "Vaanku" won the 2020 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards announced; Poetry award to OP Suresh; fellowships awarded to Perumbadavam and Sethu |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=620160&u=kerala-sahitya-akademi-awards-announced-poetry-award-to-op-suresh-fellowships-awarded-to-perumbadavam-and-sethu-620160 |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Keralakaumudi Daily |date=17 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and was made into the 2021 film of the same name.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kavya-prakash-i-want-to-make-movies-with-a-good-message-which-brings-smiles-to-peoples-faces/articleshow/73152136.cms |title=Kavya Prakash: I want to make movies with a good message, which brings smiles to people's faces |website=The Times of India|date=31 January 2020 }}</ref>
== Bibliography ==
=== Short story Collections === * ''Ozhivu Divasathe Kali''<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=R|first1=Unni|title=Ozhivu Divasaththe Kali|publisher=Chintha Publications|isbn=9382328513|pages=100|language=ml}}</ref> * ''Kali Nadakam''<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=Ār|first1=Uṇṇi|title=Kāḷināṭakaṃ|date=2006|publisher=Ḍi. Si. Buks|location=Kottayam|isbn=9788126413713|pages=64|edition=2|language=ml}}</ref> * ''Kottayam 17''<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=Ār|first1=Uṇṇi|title=Kōṭṭayaṃ 17|date=2010|publisher=Ḍi. Si. Buks|location=Kottayam|isbn=9788126428366|pages=96|edition=3|language=ml}}</ref> * ''Kadhakal''<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=Ār|first1=Unni|title=Kathakaḷ Uṇṇi Ār. = Kathakal Unni R.|date=2012|publisher=DC Books|location=Kottayam|isbn=9788126434497|pages=184|edition=8|language=ml}}</ref> * ''Oru Bhayankara Kamukan''<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=R|first1=Unni|title=Oru Bhayankara Kamukan|date=30 Mar 2016|publisher=D C Books|isbn=9788126464739|pages=120|edition=2|language=ml}}</ref> * ''One hell of a lover'', selection of short stories translated from the Malayalam by J. Devika, Chennai: Eka, 2019.<ref>See also the English translations of ''Ozhivu Divasathe Kali'' (An Off day Game) and ''Aliceinte Albuthalokam'' (Alice in Wonderland) available at http://madhatterworks.blogspot.com/2018/04/ozhivudivasathe-kali-and-alicinte.html.</ref>
=== Other works === * Chumbikkunna Manushyar Chumbikkatha Manushyar (Essays)<ref group="books">{{cite book|last1=R|first1=Unni|title=Chumbikkunna Manushyar Chumbikkatha Manushyar|date=11 Dec 2014|publisher=D C Books|isbn=9788126452651|pages=288|edition=1|language=ml}}</ref> * Basheer (Editor, Essays) *Prathi Poovan Kozhi (Novel )
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2" width="33"|Year !! rowspan="2"|Film !! colspan="3"|Credited as !! rowspan="2"|Notes |- ! width=70|Story !! width=70|Script !! width=70|Dialogue |- | 2007 || ''Big B'' || {{no}}||{{no}} || {{yes}} || |- | 2009 || ''Kerala Cafe'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Segment: ''Bridge'' |- | 2010 || ''Anwar'' ||{{no}} ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || |- | 2011 || ''Chaappa Kurishu'' ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Co-written with Sameer Thahir. |- | 2012 || ''Bachelor Party'' ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Co-written with Santhosh Echikkanam. |- | 2013 || ''5 Sundarikal'' ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Segment: ''Kullante Bharya'' |- | 2014 || ''Munnariyippu'' ||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || |- | 2015 || ''Ozhivudivasathe Kali'' || {{yes}} ||{{no}} ||{{no}} || Kerala State Film Award 2015 -Best Film<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=Deborah|title='An Off-Day Game': Mumbai Review|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/an-day-game-mumbai-review-836260|access-date=5 November 2015|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 November 2015}}</ref> |- | 2015 || ''Charlie'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Script and dialogues co-written with Martin Prakkat.<ref>{{cite news|last1=V.P.|first1=Nicy|title='Charlie' First Poster: Dulquer Salmaan Spotted in Trendy New Look [PHOTOS]|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/charlie-first-poster-dulquer-salmaan-spotted-trendy-new-look-photos-635847|access-date=5 November 2015|work=International Business Times|date=15 June 2015}}</ref><br/>Kerala State Film Award 2015 – Best Screenplay |- | 2016 || ''Leela'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || <ref>{{cite news|last1=Jayaram|first1=Deepika|title=Biju Menon in Ranjith's Leela?|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Biju-Menon-in-Ranjiths-Leela/articleshow/49658282.cms|access-date=5 November 2015|work=The Times Of India|date=4 November 2015}}</ref> |- | 2019 || ''Prathi Poovankozhi'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||<ref>{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Anu|title=title not finalised next with Basil Joseph to go on floor in 2018}}</ref> |- | 2022 || ''Naaradhan'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 December 2021|title=Naradhan First Look : 'മിന്നല് മുരളി'ക്ക് ശേഷം ടൊവീനോ; ആഷിക് അബുവിന്റെ 'നാരദന്' ഫസ്റ്റ് ലുക്ക്|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/naradhan-first-look-tovino-thomas-aashiq-abu-unni-r-santhosh-t-kuruvilla-rima-kallingal-r4cj1p|website=Asianet News}}</ref> |- | 2026 || {{Pending film| Kattalan}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=Team THR |date=2026-04-04 |title=Ravi Basrur Replaces Ajaneesh Loknath As Composer For 'Kattalan' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/ravi-basrur-replaces-ajaneesh-loknath-as-composer-for-kattalan |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter India |language=en}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2 {{TBA}} || {{Pending film| Oru Bhayankara Kamukan}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||<ref>{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Anu|title=Oru Bhayankara Kamukan: Dulquer Salmaan's next with Lal Jose to go on floor in 2017|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/oru-bhayankara-kamukan-dulquer-salmaans-next-lal-jose-go-floors-2017-699279|access-date=13 October 2016|work=International Business Times|date=12 October 2016}}</ref> |- | {{Pending film| Bilal}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || |- |}
== Awards and honours == * Kerala State Film Award 2015 (Best Screenplay) - Charlie<ref name="Dulquer Salmaan, Parvathy win top honours at Kerala State Film awards">{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Dulquer Salmaan, Parvathy win top honours at Kerala State Film awards |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dulquer-salmaan-parvathy-win-top-honours-at-kerala-state-film-awards-2015/ |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> * Geetha Hiranyan Endovement – Ozhivu Divasathe Kali (2006)<ref>{{cite news|title=Akademi fellowships, awards|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/akademi-fellowships-awards/article1834327.ece|work=The Hindu|date=27 Apr 2007}}</ref> * Thomas Mundasseri Award – Ozhivudivasathe Kali<ref name="Unni R">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2018 |title=Unni R |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/mbifl-2018/speakers/unni-r-d90b9239 |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref> * Ankanam E.P. Sushama Endovement – Ozhivu Divasathe Kali<ref name="Unni R" /> * Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award – Kottayam 17<ref name="Unni R" /> * Ayanam C. V. Sreeraman Award – Kottayam 17<ref name="Unni R" /> * K. A. Kodungalloor Story Award<ref name="Unni R" /> * T. P. Kishore Award<ref name="Unni R" /> * V. P. Sivakumar Memorial Keli Award{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} * Mohan Raghavan Award for Best Script - Charlie{{citation needed|date= September 2022}} * IIFA Award for Best story - Charlie<ref name="IIFA Utsavam: Complete winner’s list">{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2017 |title=IIFA Utsavam: Complete winner’s list |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/iifa-utsavam-complete-winner-list-4592896/ |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== Notes == {{reflist|group=books}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name|2634191}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unni R.}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:Screenwriters from Kerala Category:Malayalam short story writers Category:Malayalam screenwriters Category:Indian male short story writers Category:Indian male screenwriters Category:21st-century Indian short story writers Category:21st-century Indian male writers Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters Category:IIFA Utsavam winners