Kerala bids farewell to well known script writer

Kondotty: Kerala today bid farewell to well known Malayalam film scriptwriter T A Razzaq, who passed away at a private hospital in Kochi.

The 58-year-old writer died last night while undergoing treatment for some ailment, hospital sources said.

Razaaq's body was buried with full state honours at a mosque here with hundreds paying tributes when the mortal remains was brought.

The body was first taken to Kozhikode, where actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Manoj K Jayan and film directors Kamal and Sibi Malayil, among others, paid their last respects and then brought to his home town Kondotty in Malappuram district.

Razzaq, who started his career with "Vishnulokam" in 1991 in which Mohanlal and Uravashi had essayed memorable roles, went on to work for around 30 films, in the area of scripts, story and dialogue.

A recipient of the Kerala state film award for best story for the much acclaimed Kamal movie "Perumazhakkalam" in 2004, he had won the state award for best story for "Aayirathil Oruvan", directed by Sibi Malayil in 2002.

He also received the state award for the best story and screenplay for 'Kanakinnavu' in 1996.

"Vishnulokam", "Naadodo", "Bhoomigeetham" and "Gazal" were among the films for which he wrote the screenplays, which struck a chord among the movie buffs.

"Sukamayeeirukattae", released this year, was the last film for which he penned the script.