Ambili is a film director from the state of Kerala in India. He has worked as script writer and art director also. His debut work was Veena Poovu, released in 1983. His other notable films are Ashtapadi, Maunaragam, Swantham Sarika, Chamante Kabani and Samudhayam. He lives in Ernakulam. Ambili was born and brought up in ‘Chentrappinni’ a coastal village in Thrissur district, Kerala, South India. The natural beauty of the riverside, the grandeur of the Arabian sea and the colourful hide and seek of the setting sun berthed him in his younger days and he was attracted to the world of colours and paints – yes, he wanted to be a painter and he fulfilled his ambition. He attained national diploma in fine arts from the major institution in Asia. It was his through knowledge and understanding of the colour –combination and frames of the paintings that helped him to be a great photographer, art director and finally a film maker. He entered the world of drawings and painting through holdings cinema slides. He became first in painting in many state and national level youth festivals. He got first place in memory painting when he was a student in the fine arts college. He came out in flying colours from the fine arts college and for a short period worked as a designer in UMA offset printers. He got an opportunity to meet the great Malayalam actor and director Madhu and this paved his way to UMA studio and Ambili became the art director for his films. He did art director for about 150 south Indian films almost all his posters and title were born through the drawings and paintings. With his collective experience as art –director and his knowledge about the frames and editing of the films, he transforms himself into a film director. His first film, “the fallen flower” was released in 1981. It was exhibited in international film festival conducted in Delhi in 1982 and the ‘Varna film festival’ conducted in Turkey. He has directed twelve films and won many awards including film critics award. While busy with poster designing, art directing and directing films, he ventured cover designing for the books of the leading unites in Kerala and the great Arabic work. He has also helped the printing of an Arabic work, published first time in India, by drawing the letters as he had no knowledge of Arabic. He had been a member of Kerala statefilm development co-operation. His paintings are exhibited all over the country. He has participated in national and state level painting camps. His paintings are sold in India as well as abroad the last one in the London auction. He is a gifted makeup artist, has done make up to many cine –artist and classical dancers like Kalamandalm Kshemavathy, Kalamandalam Latha, and Kalakshetra Rekha Menon. At present fully devoted to painting, he is planning to conduct solo painting exhibition in national and international platforms.
