Vernell29N at 11:04, 7 March 2026

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{{Short description|Indian film producer (1929–2016)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=July 2020}}
{{Essay|date=October 2024}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox person
| name = M. O. Joseph
| image = M.O.Joseph and Kunjamma Joseph.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| alt = M. O. Joseph and his wife Kunjamma Joseph
| caption = M. O. Joseph with his wife, Kunjamma Joseph, in 2016.
| birth_date = {{Birth date |df=yes|1929|1|15}}
| birth_place = [[Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|1|8|1929|1|15|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| occupation = Film Producer
| years_active = 1967–1983
| spouse = Kunjamma Joseph
| children = 5
| notable_works = ''[[Yakshi (film)|Yakshi]]'', ''[[Adimakal]]'', ''[[Chattakkari (1974 film)|Chattakkari]]'', ''[[Anubhavangal Palichakal]]'', ''[[Punarjanmam]]''
| awards = [[Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam]] (1969, 1970)
}}

'''Manjilas Ouseph Joseph''' (15 January 1929 – 8 January 2016) was a [[Malayalis|Malayali]] film producer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manjilas Joseph Biography, News, Photos, Videos |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/malayalam/producer/manjilas-joseph |access-date=28 May 2023 |website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> He produced over 30 films in the 1960s and 1970s, including [[Yakshi (film)|Yakshi]], [[Adimakal]], [[Devi (1972 film)|Devi]], [[Chattakkari (1974 film)|Chattakkari]], [[Anubhavangal Palichakal]], and [[Punarjanmam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Malayalam movies under the banner Manjilas|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movieslist.php?bn=836|website=Malayalam Movie and Music Database}}</ref> 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, Thrissur|St. Thomas College]] and later graduated with a [[Bachelor of Commerce]] from the [[Sacred Heart College, Kochi|Sacred Heart College]] in [[Ernakulam]], where his father was employed by the [[Shenoys Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manjilas Joseph |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/malayalam/producer/manjilas-joseph |access-date=11 February 2025|website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> 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. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Manjilas Joseph |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/malayalam/producer/manjilas-joseph |access-date=11 February 2025 |website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==
Joseph joined Vasudevan in 1950 with an initial salary of {{Indian rupee|150}} per month ($31.50 per month in 1950 USD).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manjilas Joseph |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/malayalam/producer/manjilas-joseph |access-date=12 February 2025|website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> Associated Pictures was in a financial partnership with the [[Shenoys Theatre|Shenoys]]. [[T. E. Vasudevan|Vasudevan]] later launched his own business by starting JayaMaruthi Pictures, with Joseph joining him.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Joseph moved to [[Madras]] (now Chennai) in 1951 to manage the regional business of Associated Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Producer Manjilas Joseph Biography, News, Photos, Videos |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/malayalam/producer/manjilas-joseph |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> His initial foray into [[independent filmmaking]] was through a partnership with P. Balthazar and NV Joseph, under the production company Navajeevan Films.<ref>{{cite news|title=He was no ordinary producer|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/He-was-no-ordinary-producer/article13995789.ece|date=10 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|first=P.J. Ajith|last=Kumar|accessdate=28 October 2018}}</ref> The first film, ‘[[Naadan Pennu]]’ was released in 1967. It was directed by [[KS Sethumadhavan|K. S. Sethumadhavan]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Sethumadhavan |first=K. S. |title=Naadan Pennu |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0254598/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |others=Bahadur, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile of Malayalam Banner Manjilas |url=https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=banner&artist=Manjilas |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=en.msidb.org}}</ref>
==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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=TE Vasudevan: Cinema is his world|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-is-his-world/article4904720.ece|website=The Hindu|date=11 July 2013|last1=Shivpprasadh|first1=S.}}</ref>
[[File:M.O.Joseph - Children.jpg|thumbnail|left]]

== Personal life ==
In 1953, M. O. Joseph married Kunjamma Joseph. They had five children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legendary producer M O Joseph passes away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/legendary-producer-m-o-joseph-passes-away/articleshow/50510062.cms |website=Times of India |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=9 January 2016}}</ref>

==Filmography==
A list of M. O. Joseph's films.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manjilas Banner List of movies|url=http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=banner&artist=Manjilas|website=Malayalam Music and Movie Encyclopedia}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! !! 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 (film)|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 <br>Best Story <br>Best Actor
|-
| 8 || ''[[Anubhavangal Paalichakal]]''|| Manjilas Films || K. S. Sethu Madhavan || 1971 || Sathyan, Sheela || Best Picture in Malayalam
|-
| 9 || ''Devi''{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} || 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 (1973 film)|Kaliyugam]]''|| Manjilas Films || K. S. Sethu Madhavan || 1973 || Jayabharathi, Sudheer, Bahadoor ||
|-
| 13 || ''[[Chattakkari (1974 film)|Chattakkari]]''|| Manjilas Films || K. S. Sethu Madhavan || 1974 || Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma || Best Picture in Malayalam<br>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 (film)|Missi]]''|| Manjilas Films || Thopil Bhasi || 1976 || Lakshmi, Mohan Sharma, KP Ummer ||
|-
| 17 || ''[[Ponni (1976 film)|Ponni]]''|| Manjilas Films || Thopil Bhasi || 1976 || Kamalahasan, Lakshmi ||
|-
| 18 || ''[[Agninakshathram (1977 film)|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 (1980 film)|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)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ&q=1969+M.O.Joseph|title = Collections|year = 1991}}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam]] - ''[[Vaazhve Mayam|Vazhve Mayam]]'' (1970)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoPiAAAAMAAJ&q=vazhve+mayam|title = The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who|year = 1971}}</ref>
==Death==
Joseph died on 8 January 2016 at his home in [[San Thome|San Thomas]], [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Film producer Manjilas Joseph passes away|url=http://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/film-producer-manjilas-joseph-passes-away-english-news-1.784769|website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Legendary-producer-M-O-Joseph-passes-away/articleshow/50510062.cms Legendary producer M O Joseph passes away]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa0kqC2yhjI M.O.Joseph - Producer Manjilas - Interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, M. O.}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayalam film producers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Film producers from Thrissur]]
[[Category:Malayalam cinema]]

M. O. Joseph - Revision history

Vernell29N at 11:04, 7 March 2026