Souparnika to be made as a movie

Souparnika, an award winning drama penned and directed by the late actor Narendra Prasad, will be soon made as a film under the direction of Jayaraj. Chairman of Narendra Prasad Foundation and actor Murali announced this in a function held to commemorate Narendra Prasad's fifth death anniversary on November 3.

Prithviraj will be doing the lead role in this yet-to-be-titled film. B.R. Prasad will handle the script. According to reports, the movie tells the story of a Yakshi (a female vampire) who wishes to become human and a man who wishes to be a Gandharva (celestial man).

Narendra Prasad, well-known as a superb teacher, literary critic, playwright, theatre director and actor, started his career as a novelist with a novel 'Alanjavar Anweshichavar'.

His entry into the arena of theatre was through a theatre group called Natyagraham. During this time, Narendra Prasad wrote many plays including 'Ira', 'Velliyazcha', 'Padipurra' and 'Souparnika', which won him laurels including the Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award. His plays 'Kumaran Varunnilla' and Satheerthyan' were well-received by the audience.

Fascinated by the intricacies of theatre, he later wrote essays on the aesthetics of theatre, which were compiled in a book called 'Arangum Porulum'. His other literary contributions include 'Bhavukatvam Marunnu', 'Nishedhikale Manassilakkuka', and 'Adhunikadhayude Madhyannam'.

He made his debut in tinsel town in 1988 with Asthikal Pookkunnu. Although Suresh Gopi starrer Utsava Melam gave him a break in 1992, it was the political leader's role in Shaji Kailas' Thalasthanam that made him an integral part of Malayalam cinema. He worked in several memorable movies like Paithrukam, Sthalathe Pradhana Payyanns, Ekalavyan, Yadavam, Njangal Santhushtaranu, Ustaad, Vazhunnor, Krishnaguddiyile Oru Pranayagatha and Susanna. He acted in over 150 films.

Later, even as a busy actor, he found time to pen his works such as Ente Sahitya Niroopanangal' and his last title, 'Unni Pokunnu'. He made his mark as a social critic through his book 'Jathi Paranjalenthu'. Towards the end of his life, he had worked for the mini screen as well. Narendra Prasad died in 2003 at the age of 58. In honour of his memory, his friends and relatives formed the Narendra Prasad Foundation, which is based in Mavelikara.