M. O. Joseph

Manjilas Ouseph Joseph (15 January 1929 – 8 January 2016) was a Malayali film producer. He produced over 30 films in the 1960s and 1970s, including Yakshi, Adimakal, Devi, Chattakkari, Anubhavangal Palichakal, and Punarjanmam. He received two Filmfare Awards South for Best Malayalam Film. His films also received awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.

Early life Joseph was born on 15 January 1929 and grew up in Thrissur. His father was the manager of the Jose Theatre, which was 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. 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.

Career Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 with an initial salary of per month ($31.50 per month in 1950 USD). Associated Pictures was in a financial partnership with the Shenoys. 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. His initial foray into independent filmmaking was through a partnership with P. Balthazar and NV Joseph, under the production company Navajeevan Films. The first film, ‘Naadan Pennu’ was released in 1967. It was directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan.

During the 1960's and 1970's, Joseph produced films under the Manjilas banner, working with directors such as K. S. Sethumadhavan, Thoppil Baasi, and I. V. Sasi. Contributions to Malayalam film industry Joseph was a founder member of the Malayalam Chalachitra Parishad, an organization supporting film artists and their families. He also contributed to fundraising efforts for the Parishad. He was a founder member of the management committee of Asan Memorial College of Engineering and Technology.

Personal life In 1953, M. O. Joseph married Kunjamma Joseph. They had five children.

Filmography A list of M. O. Joseph's films.

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 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 MalayalamBest 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 Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Adimakal (1969) Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Vazhve Mayam (1970) Death Joseph died on 8 January 2016 at his home in San Thomas, Chennai.