# 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 ₹150 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 Malayalam Best 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.