Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan is grieving the loss of his father, Dr Nelliat C. Shyamalan, a respected cardiologist who passed away in the United States at the age of 88. The funeral is scheduled for Friday, November 7.
A life of healing and heritage
Born in Mahé with roots in Kannur, Kerala, Dr Shyamalan built a distinguished medical career in Philadelphia, earning admiration from both peers and patients. Beyond his professional achievements, he had a deep interest in history and genealogy, particularly his research into the ancestry of the Thiyya community of Malabar. His DNA studies traced their origins to Indo-Aryan migration patterns stretching from Central Asia to southern India, reflecting his lifelong curiosity about identity and heritage.
A father’s influence and filmmaker’s next moves
Dr Shyamalan played a key role in his son’s early creative journey, helping produce M. Night Shyamalan’s debut feature ‘Praying with Anger’ (1992). The director has often spoken about how his father’s wisdom, encouragement, and faith shaped his career and perspective on storytelling. In a heartfelt message shared online, Shyamalan expressed his immense loss but also gratitude for the years they shared, vowing to live by his father’s example of kindness, optimism, and joy.On the professional front, M. Night Shyamalan continues to stay busy. After the release of ‘Trap’ in 2024, he is gearing up for his next film, ‘Remain,’ a supernatural romantic thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor, set for release on October 23, 2026. Co-written with author Nicholas Sparks, the project marks an intriguing blend of suspense and emotion. The director has also begun developing his 17th feature, keeping his signature storytelling spirit alive even through a time of personal loss.
