M. O. Joseph

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]

M. O. Joseph
Joseph and his wife Kunjamma, 2016
Born	(1929-01-15)15 January 1929 Thrissur, Kerala, India
Died	8 January 2016(2016-01-08) (aged 86) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Film producer
Years active	1967–1983
Spouse	Kunjamma Joseph
Children	5

Early life

Joseph was born on 15 January 1929 and grew up in Thrissur. His father was the manager of the Jose Theatre,^[4] started by Kattukkaran Varunny Joseph. He studied at St. Thomas College and later graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sacred Heart College in Ernakulam, where his father was employed by the Shenoys Theatre. ^[5] Upon completing his education, Joseph's father recommended that he assist T. E. Vasudevan, who was involved in the distribution and production of films under the banner of Associated Pictures, as an apprentice. ^[6]

Career

Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 with an initial salary of ₹150 per month ($31.50 per month in 1950 USD).^[7] Associated Pictures was in a financial partnership with the Shenoys. Vasudevan later launched his own business by starting JayaMaruthi Pictures, with Joseph joining him.^{[citation needed]}

Joseph moved to Madras (now Chennai) in 1951 to manage the regional business of Associated Pictures.^[8] His initial foray into independent filmmaking was through a partnership with P. Balthazar and NV Joseph, under the production company Navajeevan Films.^[9] The first film, ‘Naadan Pennu’ was released in 1967. It was directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan.^[10]

As Malayalam cinema flourished in the 1960s and 1970s, Joseph garnered increasing recognition. The majority of the shooting for each film took place outdoors, typically completed within three to four weeks. Any additional shots were filmed on specially constructed sets 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.^[11]

Contributions to Malayalam film industry

Joseph contributed to several key institutions in the Malayalam film industry. He was a founder of the Malayalam Chalachitra Parishad,^[12] 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. Those events were a popular mix of show-biz, music and drama, were held in different towns of Kerala. Stars like 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]}

Personal life

He married Kunjamma Joseph in 1953 at the age of 24. They had five children.^[13]

Filmography

A list of M. O. Joseph's films.^[14]

	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

Awards

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:

• Contribution to Malayalam Film Industry, Kerala Film Producers Association, 2001
• Creative Producer, Amrutha Film Fraternity, 2005
• Outstanding contribution to Malayalam Cinema, Kerala State Film Development Corporation, 2007^{[citation needed]}

Film fare Awards South

• Film fare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Adimakal (1969)^[15]
• Film fare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Vazhve Mayam (1970)^[16]

Death

Joseph died on 8 January 2016 at his home in San Thomas, Chennai.^[17]

References

1. "Manjilas Joseph Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
2. "List of Malayalam movies under the banner Manjilas". Malayalam Movie and Music Database.
3. The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. 1971.
4. "M.O. Joseph Biography". Veethi: The face of India.
5. "Manjilas Joseph". nettv4u. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
6. "Manjilas Joseph". nettv4u. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
7. "Manjilas Joseph". nettv4u. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
8. "Malayalam Producer Manjilas Joseph Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
9. Kumar, P.J. Ajith (10 January 2016). "He was no ordinary producer". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
10. Sethumadhavan, K. S., Naadan Pennu, Bahadur, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty, retrieved 22 February 2025
11. "Profile of Malayalam Banner Manjilas". en.msidb.org. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
12. Shivpprasadh, S. (11 July 2013). "TE Vasudevan: Cinema is his world". The Hindu.
13. "Legendary producer M O Joseph passes away". Times of India. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
14. "Manjilas Banner List of movies". Malayalam Music and Movie Encyclopedia.
15. "Collections". 1991.
16. "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1971.
17. "Film producer Manjilas Joseph passes away". Mathrubhumi.

External links

• Legendary producer M O Joseph passes away
• M.O.Joseph - Producer Manjilas - Interview