Prominent film producer and businessman K Ravindranathan Nair popularly known as Achani Ravi is at the forefront of the list of those who created an identity for Malayalam cinema. Malayalam cinema is indebted to him for producing films that made a mark on the world cinema map. Achani Ravi was a great personality who prepared talents like G Aravindan and Adoor Gopalakrishnan. One can only imagine what would have happened if he had not invested in making films based solely on artistic excellence, regardless of profit or loss. Most of the films produced by him have won state, national and international recognitions. The best example of them being films that demonstrate timeless artistry was the screening of Kummatty, which was produced by him and directed by Aravindan, in the Classics section of the Cannes Film Festival last year, more than 40 years after its release.

Achani Ravi, who loved art a lot, passed away right after the departure of the unique artist, artist Namboothiri. It has not been many days since his Navati celebrations. He was very active until the end of his life, although he was afflicted with physical infirmities. It was when Ravindranathan Nair got involved in the family business of cashew nut marketing and export and became a big cashew exporter that he developed the idea of making a good film. His wife and singer Usha's brother TC Sankaran Nair was the owner of Matha Theater in Thrissur. He was the one who proposed the concept of film production. So Achani Ravi went to Madras and registered a production company called General Pictures.

In 1967, the film 'Anweshichu Kandethiyilla' directed by P Bhaskaran was the movie Ravindranathan Nair produced first. His triumphant journey began by winning the National Award for Best Malayalam Film. He later produced Lakshaprabhu and Kattukurangu directed by P Bhaskaran and Achani directed by A Vincent. All of them were a financial success. He built a public library, auditorium and art gallery in Kollam from the profits of Achani, which broke collection records. The tag Achani was stamped along with his name after that. He was the beloved Ravi Muthalali to the people of Kollam.

Achani Ravi was coming forward to promote artistic films as there would be other people to make commercially successful films. Ravindranathan Nair was the producer of Aravindan's Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummati, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Elippathayam, Mukhamukham, Anantaram and Vidheyan. Meanwhile, MT's Manju was produced in Malayalam and Hindi. The last film Achani Ravi produced was Adoor's Vidheyan.

Ravindranathan Nair has received national and international recognition as a businessman. He was a perfect gentleman and a compassionate person. As a producer, he has won national awards and JC Daniel Award from Kerala Government. He was also a member of the National Film Jury. Rabindranath Nair was a close friend of Kerala Kaumudi. We bow to his memory.