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Indian film producer (1929–2016) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manjilas Ouseph Joseph (15 January 1929 – 8 January 2016) was a Malayali film producer.[1] He produced over 30 films in the 1960s and 1970s, including Yakshi, Adimakal, Devi, Chattakkari, Anubhavangal Palichakal, and Punarjanmam.[2] He won numerous awards, including National Film Awards, Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South.[3]
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Joseph was born on 15 January 1929, and grew up in Thrissur, where his father was the manager of the Jose Theatre.[4] He studied at St. Thomas College and later graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sacred Heart College in Ernakulam, where his father had joined the Shenoy Theatres.[citation needed] When he completed his education, Joseph's father suggested that he join T. E. Vasudevan, who was distributing and producing films under the banner of Associated Pictures as an apprentice.
Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 with an initial salary of ₹150 per month ($1.77 per month). Associated Pictures was in a financial partnership with the Shenoys, however Vasudevan later launched his own business by starting JayaMaruthi Pictures, with Joseph joining him.
Joseph moved to Madras (Now Chennai) in 1951 to manage the regional business of Associated Pictures. Joseph's first foray into independent filmmaking was in a partnership with P. Balthazar and NV Joseph, with production company Navajeevan Films.[5] The first film, ‘Naadan Pennu’ was released in 1967, and was directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan.
As Malayalam cinema became more prolific in the 1960's and 70's, Joseph would gain more fame. The shooting for each film was mostly done outdoors and would be completed in a stretch of some three to four weeks. The remaining shots which were based on fabricated sets were done in one of the studios in Kodambakkam. The big studio houses were Vidya Studios, Vahini Studios and Bharani Studios.[citation needed] Directors who Joseph worked with include K. S. Sethumadhavan, Thoppil Baasi and I. V. Sasi. The Manjilas banner produced around 25 films in total, from 1968 to 1984.
Joseph contributed to several key institutions in the Malayalam film industry. He was a founder of the Malayalam Chalachitra Parishad,[6] along with Ramu Karyat and T. E. Vasudevan. The organization helped aged, and in-need film artists, as well as their families. In the beginning, the office of the Parishad started in the Manjilas office. When Sathyan died, his body was kept in the Manjilas office for public display, since it was also the office of the Chalachitra Parishad.
Later, Joseph helped raise funds for by organizing Star Nites, which were a hugely popular mix of show-biz, music and drama, which were held in different towns of Kerala. Stars such as Prem Nazir, Sheela and singers such as P. Leela contributed their time to these shows. From the funds collected through Star Nites, and from donations, the Parishad was able to buy its own land in Mambalam, Chennai and construct its own double storied offices. Joseph continued as the Treasurer of the Parishad. He was also a founder member of the management committee of Asan Memorial Group of institutions and functioned as its Vice President.[citation needed]
He married Kunjamma Joseph in 1953 at the age of 24. They had five children.[7]
A list of M. O. Joseph's films.[8]
| Name of film | Banner | Direction | Year | Cast | Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naadan Pennu | Navajeevan Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1967 | Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Jayabharathi | |
| 2 | Thokkukal Kadha Parayunnu | Navajeevan Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1968 | Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela | |
| 3 | Yakshi | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1968 | Sathyan, Sharada | |
| 4 | Adimakal | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1969 | Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Sharada | Best Picture in Malayalam National Award for Best Feature Film |
| 5 | Kadalpalam | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1969 | Sathyan, Jayabharathi, K. P. Ummer | |
| 6 | Vazhve Mayam | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1970 | Sathyan, Sheela | |
| 7 | Aranazhika Neram | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1970 | Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Ambika (Old), Kottarakkara | Best Director Best Story Best Actor |
| 8 | Anubhavangal Paalichakal | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1971 | Sathyan, Sheela | Best Picture in Malayalam |
| 9 | Devi[citation needed] | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1972 | Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela | |
| 10 | Punarjanmam | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1972 | Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi | Best Picture in Malayalam |
| 11 | Chukku | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1973 | Madhu, Sheela | |
| 12 | Kaliyugam | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1973 | Jayabharathi, Sudheer, Bahadoor | |
| 13 | Chattakkari | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1974 | Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma | Best Picture in Malayalam Best Actress |
| 14 | Makkal | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1975 | Jayabharathi, Kaviyoor Ponnamma | |
| 15 | Chuvanna Sadhayakal | Manjilas Films | K. S. Sethu Madhavan | 1975 | Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma | |
| 16 | Missi | Manjilas Films | Thopil Bhasi | 1976 | Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma, KP Ummer | |
| 17 | Ponni | Manjilas Films | Thopil Bhasi | 1976 | Kamalahasan, Lakshmi | |
| 18 | Agninakshathram | Manjilas Films | A Vincent | 1977 | Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma | |
| 19 | Guruvayur Keshavan | Manjilas Films | Bharathan | 1977 | Jayabharathi, MG Soman, Adoor Bhasi | |
| 20 | Njaan Njaan Maathram | Manjilas Films | I. V. Sasi | 1978 | Madhu, Jayabharathi, Jose, Seema | Best Picture in Malayalam |
| 21 | Aniyara | Manjilas Films | Bharathan | 1978 | Soman, Padma | |
| 22 | Ezhunirangal | Manjilas Films | Jeasy | 1979 | Jose, Vidhubala | |
| 23 | Ivar | Manjilas Films | I. V. Sasi | 1980 | Sharada, Seema, Jose | |
| 24 | Parankimala | Manjilas Films | Bharathan | 1981 | Benny, Soorya, Rani Padmini | |
| 25 | Odukkam Thudakkam | Manjilas Films | Malayatoor Ramakrishnan | 1982 | Ratheesh, Kalaranjini, Rajkumar, Nanditha Bose, K. P. Ummer | |
| 26 | Eenam | Manjilas Films | Bharathan | 1983 | Venu Nagavally, Shanthi Krishna, Unni Mary |
Joseph was recognized for his ‘outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Malayalam films’ by K. Karunakaran, Chief Minister of Kerala in 1985.[citation needed] In 1996, he was again awarded for ‘outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema’ by the Government of Kerala.[citation needed] Some of the other notable awards that he has received include:
Joseph died on 8 January 2016 at his home in San Thomas, Chennai.[11]
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