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M. O. Joseph

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M.O. Joseph
Joseph and his wife Kunjamma, 2016
Born(1929-01-15)15 January 1929
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Died8 January 2016(2016-01-08) (aged 86)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationFilm Producer
Years active1967–1983
SpouseKunjamma Joseph
Children5

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, most notably 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]

Early life

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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. 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.

Career

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Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 on an initial salary of ₹150 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.[when?]

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 KS 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 KS Sethumadhavan Thoppil Baasi, and IV Sasi. The Manjilas banner produced around 25 films in total, from 1968 to 1984.

Contributions To Malayalam Film Industry

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M.O Joseph and wife Kunjamma Joseph

Joseph played an important role in establishing several key institutions in the Malayalam film industry. He was one of the founders of the Malayalam Chalachitra Parishad,[6] along with Ramu Karyat and TE Vasudevan. The organization helped aged and in-need film artist's and 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, Sheila 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

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He married Kunjamma Joseph at the age of 24 in 1953. They had five children.[7]

Filmography

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A list of M. O. Joseph's films.[8]

Name of Film Banner Direction Year Cast Awards
1 NAADAN PENNU Navajeevan Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1967 Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Jayabharathi
2 THOKKUKAL KADHA PARAYANNU Navajeevan Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1968 Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela
3 YAKSHI Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1968 Sathyan, Sharada
4 ADIMAKAL Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1969 Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Sharada Best Picture in Malayalam NATIONAL AWARD for Best Feature Film
5 KADALPPALAM Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1969 Sathyan, Jayabharathi, KP Ummer
6 VAAZHVE MAYAM Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1970 Sathyan, Sheela
7 ARANAAAZHIKA NERAM Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1970 Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela, Ambika (Old), Kottarakkara Best Director
Best Story
Best Actor
8 ANUBHAVANAGAL PAALICHAKAL Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1971 Sathyan, Sheela Best Picture in Malayalam
9 DEVI[citation needed] Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1972 Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela
10 PUNARJANMAM Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1972 Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi Best Picture in Malayalam
11 CHUKKU Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1973 Madhu, Sheela
12 KALIYUGAM Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1973 Jayabharathi, Sudheer, Bahadoor
13 CHATTAKKAARI Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1974 Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma Best Picture in Malayalam
Best Actress
14 MAKKAL Manjilas Films KS Sethu Madhavan 1975 Jayabharathi, Kaviyoor Ponnamma
15 CHUVANNA SADHAYAKAL Manjilas Films KS 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 AGNINAKSHATARAM Manjilas Films A Vincent 1977 Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma
19 GURUVAYOOR KESAVAN Manjilas Films Bharathan 1977 Jayabharathi, MG Soman, Adoor Bhasi
20 NJAAN NJAAN MAATHARAM Manjilas Films IV 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 IV Sasi 1980 Sharada, Seema, Jose
24 PARANKIMALA Manjilas Films Bharathan 1981 Benny, Soorya, Rani Padmini
25 ODUKKAM TUHDAKKAM Manjilas Films Malayatoor Ramakrishnan 1982 Ratheesh, Kalaranjini, Rajkumar, Nanditha Bose, KP Ummer
26 EENAM Manjilas Films Bharathan 1983 Venu Nagavally, Shanthi Krishna, Unni Mary

Awards

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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:

Film fare Awards South

Death

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Joseph died on 8 January 2016 at his home in San Thomas, Chennai.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Mollywood Producer 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. ^ Kumar, P.J. Ajith (10 January 2016). "He was no ordinary producer". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  6. ^ Shivpprasadh, S. (11 July 2013). "TE Vasudevan: Cinema is his world". The Hindu.
  7. ^ "Legendary producer M O Joseph passes away". Times of India. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Manjilas Banner List of movies". Malayalam Music and Movie Encyclopedia.
  9. ^ "Collections". 1991.
  10. ^ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1971.
  11. ^ "Film producer Manjilas Joseph passes away". Mathrubhumi.
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