Priyadarshan was one of the first directors in India to introduce rich color grading, clear sound and quality dubbing through his Malayalam films. He was also credited as the story writer of the 1986 film Ninnishtam Ennishtam. Actors he has worked with over several films include Kuthiravattam Pappu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Sukumari, Mukesh and Mammukoya, Prakash Raj. His collaborations with Mohanlal were highly popular and noted in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, with films such as Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Thalavattam, Vellanakalude Nadu, Chithram, Vandanam, Kilukkam, Abhimanyu, Mithunam, Thenmavin Kombath, and Kala Pani.
Priyadrshan has also tried his hand at action and thriller films from time to time.
