User:PraveenPGopinath/sandbox

Mr. Praveen P Gopinath (Born (November 1, 1981) is a bestselling Indian bilingual Author known for his novels, social media influencer, known figure in Malayalam industry for directing, acting and producing short films and upcoming Bollywood script writer.

Praveen won the Indian Achievers Award 2016 held at New Delhi as ‘Prolific Author.’ He was selected as only bilingual author among the top 15 influential Indian authors on social media in a survey conducted by UK based Indian news portal, Kochi post, along with Chetan Bhagat, Amish Tripathi and Booker winner Aravind Adiga. Various News Channel like **** has called Praveen’s writing “gripping and unputdownable”.

He has written more than 17 novels so far both in English & Malayalam and ***** non-fiction books. Starting from the time his debut autobiography novel Being Moon on 31st Crossroad which is one of the most selling books in India in 2014, his subsequent novels have found place in the best seller list among the both Malayalam & English readers. Although Praveen always chose to write books on real life incidents & experiences but have created the finest fiction stories too. His first fiction ‘In Our next life, at the Salsa Class’ was critically acclaimed for the poetic writing. One of his stories was published by Penguin Book’s anthology titled, Something Happened on the way to Heaven edited by eminent author Sudha Murthy. His other novels like Dating Miss Depression which has more than 1 Lakh copies sold so far. Another People I See is his 4th English book, a collection of 43 inspiring real-life stories has been bestselling on Amazon. Collectively total ***** copies of his books have been sold so far. In the Malayalam writings, his first venture started in 2015 with the book Thanthonniyude Maryathakal based on a live-in relationship was an instant hit and is being made into a movie & second book Ghadkaravanan Pranayichappol is a best seller in India and abroad. His another best selling Thriller book in Malayalam as Meghanathane Thedi was translated to English under the name of The Meghanath Hunt and is currently in the process of turning into a Bollywood movie for which he is doing the script writing. Praveen is regularly invited as a Motivational speaker & Chief Guest in many *********** in the southern part of India.

Praveen try to keep himself away from commenting on the current affairs and political debates but still is an influences on social media and keep sharing his food blogs and writings for his fan on his Facebook page where he has a following of 1.5 lakhs+ followers. He target social media for promoting his novels and released many e-copies of the books before it hit to the book stores. Weeks before any of his book is released, Praveen printed sample quotes, voice notes and writings of the chapter to create a suspense and excitement among his readers.

In the Malayalam entertainment industry and Tollywood, one of his best short films are My Saturday (Actor), writer, director & Actor for the Greater Good – a breakup story, Love in Russia and have done shooting in India & Abroad. He has scripted and performed in a short film called WHO AM I which was the directorial debut of Latha Kurien Rajeev. His short story *** has won ** at **. Apart from the novelist & Film maker, Praveen is a renowned astrologer and have a follower from both Films and politics.

His verified Facebook page ‘Praveen P Gopinath (Mr. Mallu) ’ where he shares excerpts from his life.

Personal life and education
Disney James was born a Roman Catholic on 21 January 1983 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is the youngest son of former Bank Manager(CSB), James D. Plakkiyil, who hails from the Plakkiyil family, Kottayam and Tessy James, who hails from the Maliekkal Chethalan family, Chalakudy. Disney has two elder siblings, Deepa Saji and (late) Denny James. He grew up at Thekkada and at his paternal house in Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram, where he was greatly influenced by his grandfather, late "Mahakavi Panditaratnam Vachaspathi" Prof. P. C. Devassia.

Disney studied his KG education at Lourdes Mount School, Vattappara. After shifting to his paternal house, Disney joined Sarvodaya Vidyalaya and completed his tenth grade. He did his pre-university course at Mar Ivanios College, after which he completed his Engineering graduation (B.E) in Electrical and Electronics from St. Xavier's Catholic College of Engineering, Nagercoil.

Disney's parents encouraged their children to be active in extra-curricular activities. He was a regular participant in arts, literary, cultural and sports competitions throughout his school and college days and has won several prizes. The acceptance that he got while performing on stage made Disney seriously think about acting.

Disney married Misha, who is a native of Thalayolaparambu-Vaikom and belongs to Puthanangady Peruvelil family, on 27 August 2016 at Lourdes forane church, Trivandrum.

Career
After doing couple of sales jobs in Bangalore and TV anchoring, Disney attended a walk-in-interview at Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology, Trivandrum in 2004. He got selected and joined the Electrical and Electronics department as Lecturer. During an intercollegiate festival at MBCET, Disney performed on stage. Seeing this, his student Firoz cast him in a musical video along with actress Iniya. He did his first short film in 2005 alongside the late veteran actor Bharath Gopi. Disney started doing several musical videos, short films etc. and somehow managed both his professional and acting career. In 2007, Disney took a break and worked as Site engineer and Service engineer in Dubai (Emirates Electrical Engineering. LLC) for two years.

After coming back, he decided to take up film acting as his career. Disney acted in one scene as a gang member in a film directed by (late) Sajan Kurien in 2010. Lack of a mentor made Disney's path to mainstream cinema, more difficult. Meanwhile, he worked as a part-time news reader and anchor for Victors channel. Later that year Disney was selected for the antagonist character Kiran in the film House No.13 and faced the film camera for the first time. The film, directed by Mr. Sinu Nambiar, which also paved way for debut of actors Saju Navodaya and Hima Sankar, stopped production after the first schedule.

Disney also debuted in Tamil with the film Puthumugangal Thevai, directed by Maneesh Babu. Disney went on doing low budget films both in Tamil and Malayalam, until he got to play one of the lead characters in the commercial film @Andheri. In this film he also worked as assistant director (uncredited). The crew of this movie happened to show Disney's working stills to director Jeethu Joseph, who cast him in Memories. Disney won wide acceptance for his portrayal of the terrorist in this movie.

Disney also collaborated with screenwriter Karthik Chintu and film director Arun Shekhar and worked as project manager for their Event and Film Management companies, namely Godjz Events and Arun Shekhar Film company. He started getting acting chances and both companies supported him, as he balanced work and acting.

He has attended couple of training workshops in acting conducted by Artfactory, Trivandrum and Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Arts & Research, Pondicherry. Also he participated in the script writing workshop conducted by Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, communication and Creative arts, Mumbai.

Films in Malayalam

 * As an actor


 * As script writer

Short films
Disney James has acted in more than fifty short films. He has also worked as associate director, creative consultant, screenwriter and dubbing artist for many short films.

Plays(Theater)
During the initial phase of his acting career, Disney joined Theater of Good hope, Trivandrum and explored the possibility of voice modulation and smooth transition of expression under the guidance of  veteran actor and theater personal  P.A.M. Rashid. Also he underwent training in physical expression and improvisation on stage from another Veteran actor Surjith Sumathi Gopinath, Thrissur.

Movie advertisements and T.V. commercials

 * As actor


 * As associate director