Kamal

Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed, mononymously known as Kamal, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema. He was the former chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Kamal made his directorial debut with the 1986 film Mizhineerppovukal. In a career spanning over three decades, Kamal has directed over forty films. His films have won various National Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards, including for films such as Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal, Ulladakkam (1991), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Niram (1999), Madhuranombarakkattu (2000), Meghamalhar (2001), Nammal (2002), Perumazhakkalam (2004), Karutha Pakshikal (2006), and Celluloid (2013).

Early life Kamal was born as Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed on 28 November 1957 in Kodungallur, as the eldest son of Abdul Majeed and Sulaikha Beevi. He has two younger brothers.

Career He started his career by writing the film Thrasam, directed by Padiyan in 1981. He also worked as an associate director in the film.

His first film was Mizhineer Pookkal in 1986 and to date, he has directed more than 43 movies, among which are two non-Malayalam movies, one each in Tamil and Hindi. Apart from his role as a director, Kamal has held several administrative posts within the Malayalam film industry. He had previously acted as the general secretary of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and has been an executive member of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. He was elected president of the Kerala Directors' Union (FEFKA) in 2012.

His works include Unnikale Oru Katha Parayam, Kakkothikavile Appooppan Thadikal, Thoovalsparsham, Ghazal, Ulladakam, Ee Puzhayam Kadannu, Azhagiya Ravanan, Mazhayethum Munpe, Meghamalhar, Madhuranombarakaattu, Perumazhakkalam, Karutha Pakshikal, Khaddama and Celluloid. His interest in film-making led him to enroll at the Kalabharathi Film Institute in Thrissur.

Celluloid (2013) is the biopic of J.C Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema. Smitha at the entertainment site, oneindia.com, stated that the film is one of the best films made in recent times from Indian cinema.

Aami is a biopic of poet and author Kamala Surayya.

Personal life Kamal's son, Jenuse Mohamed, made his debut as a film director in 2015 with the Malayalam film 100 Days of Love.

In April 2020, reports surfaced that an aspiring Mollywood actress had sent the director a legal notice on 26 April 2019, accusing him of sexually assaulting her after promising her a role in his film. Kamal said he suspected a former Chalachitra Academy employee to be behind the recent exposé, and, terming the allegations baseless, intended to defame him.

Filmography

As director Note: all of his films are in Malayalam, except otherwise noted.

As associate director Year Film Director 1982 Chillu Lenin Rajendran 1984 Oru Kochu Swapnam Vipin Das 1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram Thampi Kannanthanam Avidathepole Ivideyum K. S. Sethumadhavan Ayanam Harikumar

As screenwriter

As actor Rekhachithram (2025) as himself

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards 2005– Best Film on Other Social Issues for Perumazhakkalam 2007– Best Film on Family Welfare for Karutha Pakshikal 2013– Best Feature Film in Malayalam for Celluloid

Kerala State Film Award 1991 Best Director for Ulladakkam 1995 Best Popular Film for Mazhayethum Munpe 2000 Second Best Feature Film for Madhuranombarakkattu 2001 Second Best Feature Film for Meghamalhar 2001 Best Screen Play for Meghamalhar 2002 Best Popular Film for Nammal 2013 Best Film for Celluloid

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards Source: 1995 Second Best Film for Mazhayethum Munpe 1996 Second Best Film for Ee Puzhayum Kadannu 1999 Second Best Film for Niram 2001 Best Film for Meghamalhar 2002 Second Best Film for Nammal 2004 Best Film for Perumazhakkalam 2004 Best Director for Perumazhakkalam 2006 Best Film for Karutha Pakshikal 2006 Best Director for Karutha Pakshikal 2010 Best Film for Khaddama 2010 Best Director for Khaddama 2012 Best Film for Celluloid 2012 Best Director for Celluloid

Asianet Film Awards 2001: Asianet Film Award for Best Director- Meghamalhar