Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and lyricist who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. In a career spanning five decades he has directed more than 50 films, been the lyricist for 12 films and been the scriptwriter for 6 films. He is the recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, five Kerala State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour in 2019 for his book, Eeswaran Mathram Sakshi.
Sathyan Anthikad was born to M. V. Krishnan and M. K. Kalyani Amma at Anthikad in the Thrissur district of Kerala. He is married to Nimmy. He has three sons: Arun Sathyan, Anoop Sathyan, and Akhil Sathyan. Both Anoop and Akhil were born as twins. Like their father, they are film directors as well. Anoop debuted as a director with Varane Avashyamund (2020), while Akhil debuted as a director with Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (2023).
In 1973, Sathyan debuted as an assistant director to Dr. Balakrishnan in Rekha Cine Arts. He was the associate director of P Chandrakumar and also assisted director Jeassy in a few films. Sathyan kickstarted his film direction with Kurukkante Kalyanam in 1982. He teamed up with Sreenivasan and made some Malayalam films, with Sreenivasan as the screenwriter. Thalayanamanthram, Nadodikkattu and Sandesam are some of the films born from this team. Sathyan made two novels into films: Appunni starring Mohanlal (a film adaptation of a V. K. N. novel) and Irattakkuttikalude Achan starring Jayaram and Manju Warrier (an adaptation of C. V. Balakrishnan's novel). Films like Pingami, though a commercial failure at the time of release, have over the years gained a cult following.
Sathyan Anthikad has authored Eeswaran Mathram Sakshi, Shesham Vellithirayil and Aathmaavinte Adikkurippukal. Eeswaran Mathram Sakshi received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Humour in 2019.