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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

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 won numerous awards, including National Film Awards, Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South.

Early life

Joseph was born on 15 January 1929, and grew up in Thrissur, where his father was the manager of the Jose Theatre. 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

Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 with an initial salary of ₹150 per month (1.77 US Dollars). 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.

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. The first film, ‘Naadan Pennu’ was released in 1967, and was directed by K. S. 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. 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.

Contributions To Malayalam Film Industry

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, along with Ramu Karyat and T. E. 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, 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.

Personal life

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

Filmography

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

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. In 1996, he was again awarded for ‘outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema’ by the Government of Kerala. 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

Film fare Awards South

• Film fare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Adimakal (1969)
• Film fare Award for Best Film - Malayalam - Vazhve Mayam (1970)

Death

Joseph died on the 8th of January 2016 at his home in San Thomas, Chennai.

References

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.

External links

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

• 1929 births
• 2016 deaths
• Malayalam film producers
• 20th-century Indian businesspeople
• Film producers from Thrissur