Merryland Studio

Malayalam film production studio From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merryland Studio is an Indian film studio based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It was established in 1950 by former Thiruvananthapuram mayor and businessman P. Subramaniam. He produced 70 films, 59 of them directed by himself. He was active between 1951 – 1979. The studio's home productions were made under the company Neela Productions. Merryland Studio was famous for their professional rivalry with Kunchacko's Udaya Studio. They resumed film production under the newly christened company Merryland Cinemas, debuting with Hridayam (2022).

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...
Merryland Studio
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotion pictures
Founded1951; 74 years ago (1951)
FounderP. Subramaniam
Headquarters,
Kerala, India
Area served
Kerala
ProductsFilms
Services
Subsidiaries
  • Neela Productions
    (defunct)
  • Merryland Cinemas
    (since 2022)
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History

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Perspective

Subramaniam bought land at Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, and founded the studio in 1951. Their first production was Atma Sakhi (1952). Subramaniam primarily worked as a director for the studio. The studio's list includes a string of landmark films of Malayalam cinema history.[1]

In the 1950s, Malayalam film production were shuttling between Madras and Udaya Studio in Alappuzha. It was at that time Merryland Studio was set up at a five-and-a-half acres of land, easing the productions of Malayalam films. At its peak time, the studio used to employ close to 80 personnel. Many of the actors and actresses frequently appeared in Merryland films: Prem Nazir acted in at least 30 films in the first 10 years of his career, Sathyan was introduced in Merryland's debut film Atmasakhi, Madhu who appeared in many films was also a family friend of theirs, K. V. Shanthi was also known by the name "Merryland Shanthi" for her long-term association with the studio, the trio Travancore sisters also closely associated with the studio, Sharada also worked in many of the films. Others who were introduced through Neela Productions' films are Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Miss Kumari, Vinodini Sasimohan, Srividya, Aranmula Ponnamma, S. P. Pillai among others. The competition between Udaya Studio and Merryland Studio was so intense that at one point when Merryland released Bhaktha Kuchela, Udaya released Krishna Kuchela with the same story, after that one they decided to stop the practice. Their Kumarasambhavam won the first Kerala State Film Award for Best Film when it was established in 1969. Merryland's films revolved around either social issues or mythology, they were mostly known for mythological films which were the most successful.[2] Bhakta Kuchela, Sree Guruvayoorappan, Swami Ayyappan, and Sree Murukan were among their most successful mythological films.[3]

Hridayathinte Nirangal was released before Subramaniam died in 1978.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In 2021, screenwriter John Paul wrote in an article that "The studios set up by P. Subramaniam and Kunchacko—Merryland and Udaya—respectively, led to the development of a full-fledged Malayalam film industry".[12]

In 2022, Merryland Studios resumed film production under the newly christened company Merryland Cinemas, debuting with Hridayam (2022)[13]

Films

Under Neela Productions

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Director Notes
1952 Aathmasakhi G. R. Rao First film to produce
1953 Ponkathir E. R. Cooper
1954 Balya Sakhi Antony Mitradas
Avakasi
1955 C.I.D. M. Krishnan Nair
Aniyathi
1956 Manthravadi P. Subramaniam
1957 Padatha Painkili
Jailpully
1958 Randidangazhi
Mariakutty
1959 Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi
1960 Poothali
Petraval Kanda Peruvazhvu Tamil film
1961 Christmas Rathri
Bhakta Kuchela
1962 Snehadeepam
Shree Rama Pattabhishekam G.K. Ramu
1963 Snapaka Yohannan P. Subramaniam
Kalayum Kaminiyum
1964 Atom Bomb
Althaara
1965 Pattuthoovaala
Kaliyodum
1966 Puthri
Priyathama
Kaattumallika
1968 Hotel Highrange
Adhyapika
1969 Urangatha Sundary
Kumara Sambhavam
1970 Swapnangal
1971 Kochaniyathi
Aana Valarthiya Vanampadiyude Makan
1972 Sree Guruvayoorappan
Professor
Preethi William Thomas
1973 Swarga Puthri P. Subramaniam
Malai Naattu Mangai Tamil film
Kaadu
1974 Vandikkari
Devi Kanyakumari
1975 Swami Ayyappan
1976 Hiridhayam Oru Kshethram
Amba Ambika Ambalika
1977 Vidarunna Mottugal
Sreemurukan
Rowdy Rajamma
1979 Hridhayathinte Nirangal
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Under Merryland Cinemas

More information Year, Title ...
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Television

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Perspective

The following serials are produced by Karthikeyan, Murugan and Saranya Subramaniam under the banner of Merryland, Sree Subramaniam Enterprises, Sree Saravana Enterprises and Sree Saran Creations.

  • All TV series are in Malayalam.
More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleGenreDirectorChannelNotes
2004–2005Kadamattathu KathanarHorrorT. S. Saji Asianet
2005Ezham KadalinakkareThrillerSuresh Unnithan
2005Krishna Kripa SagaramMythologyRajasenan Amrita TV
2006–2008Swami AyyappanSuresh UnnithanAsianet
2008Shri Krishna LeelaSuresh Unnithan
2008–2010Shri MahabhagavathamThulasidas
2009Swami Ayyappan SaranamThulasidas
2008–2012DevimahathmyamViji Thampi, Thulasidaslongest running mythological TV series, Completed 1000 episodes
2010–2012Alavudeente AlbuthavilakkuFantasyT.S.Suresh Babu
2012–2015AmmaEmotionalKannan Thamarakkulam/Dileep ThavanurRemake of Maa aired in Star Jalsha
2012Sabarimala Shri DharmashasthaMythologyThulasidas
2015–2016Vazhve MayamDramaManoj L. M. DD Malayalam
2015Sreekrishna VijayamMythologyManoj L. M. Janam TV
2015 Durga Drama Kurupp Mararikkulam
20157 RathrikalHorrorManoj L. M.Asianet
2015–2017PranayamDramaSudheesh Sankar/Thulasidas
2016–2018Sathyam Shivam SundaramMythologyManoj LMAmrita TV
2018KumarasambhavamManoj L. M.
2019–2020Sabarimala Swami AyyappanKannan ThamarakkulamAsianet
2020–2023Paadatha PainkilliDramaSudheesh Sankar
2023MadhanakamarajanEpicManoj L.M.YouTubeWeb serial
2023-2025Malikappuram: Apathbandhavan Ayyappan MythologySudheesh Sankar
Vinod Bhagavathinada
Asianet
2023- 2024Attukal AmmaViji ThampiFlowers TVPreviously known as Amme Bhagavathy till 29 January 2024
2024- presentEtho Janma KalpanayilDramaSachin K IbaqueAsianet
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References

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