InterviewThe 90-year-old starred in Malayalam film ‘Thiramaala’, directed two others, worked in Hollywood, is a published author, and more.CrisThomas Berly at his houseWhile we were looking for his house in the lanes of Fort Kochi, he was trying to hide a dead body under a couch, 90-year-old Thomas Berly (Burleigh) Kurishingal says, cooking up a story as he speaks. He is trying to explain time splicing to us, a film-making technique where time is edited instead of film, something he learnt many decades ago in the United States of America. Thomas, who started off as an actor in Malayalam cinema in 1953, went off to the US and worked in Hollywood with the likes of Frank Sinatra before coming back to Kerala and making a couple of films. His seafood business had kept him away from the movies, but he is once again ready with seven little stories to be made into films.
- 1/25/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
TributeCondolences poured in from all quarters after Lata Mangeshkar - the singer who needs no introduction - passed away on February 6.Tnm Staff“When you are talking about Michaelangelo, Beethoven or Shakespeare, the greatness lies in their names. Lata Mangeshkar’s name too, says all that has to be said. There is no other word that can encapsulate her,” poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar once said while introducing the singer. As condolences pour in from different parts of the country honouring the 92-year-old singer’s life and work after her demise on February 6, we revisit some of her classics. In an illustrious career spanning over eight decades, the singer, whose contribution to Indian film music remains unparalleled, has sung innumerable tracks in 36 languages. “I used to sit on the kitchen shelf and sing as my mother cooked. I would sing the bandish (compositions) my father would teach his students or...
- 2/6/2022
- by Haripriya
- The News Minute
DeathHis sons Santhosh Sivan, Sangeeth Sivan and Sanjeev Sivan are also well-known in the Indian film industry.Tnm StaffVeteran Malayalam director and photographer Sivan died on June 24. Sivan, 89, died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. He was known as Kerala's first professional press photographer. His sons Santhosh Sivan (cinematographer and filmmaker), Sangeeth Sivan and Sanjeev Sivan are renowned figures in the Indian film industry. He also has a daughter, Sarita Rajiv. 'Sivan Studios', which he founded at the Thiruvananthapuram Statue junction in 1959, was very popular and a known hub for cultural affairs. The studio is known to have chronicled the history of Kerala. "Sivan was a known personality in cinema and cinematography. Sivan Studios was a hub for cultural artistes in the state," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in his condolence message. Sivan entered the Malayalam film industry in 1965 as a still photographer for the classic movie Chemmeen,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Saritha
- The News Minute
MollywoodSheela not only has over 475 films to her credit but was also one of the most bankable stars in the Malayalam film industry for well over two decades.CV AravindSheela in a scene from ‘Chemmeen’An eminent jury chaired by veteran filmmaker Ks Sethumadhavan has chosen yesteryear’s versatile actor Sheela for the prestigious Jc Daniel Award for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema. The award is bestowed under the aegis of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy that functions under the state’s Ministry of Culture. Sheela becomes only the second woman to receive the award after another accomplished artiste – Aranmula Ponnamma. No eyebrows are likely to be raised on the honour coming Sheela’s way as she not only has an impressive body of work with over 475 films to her credit but was also one of the most bankable and highly paid stars in the Malayalam film industry for well over two decades.
- 6/23/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
CinematographyMadhu has cranked the camera for films in nine different Indian languages and has also been a part of Hollywood films.CV AravindArmed with a degree in Physics, a young Madhu Ambat had two options in front of him. He had secured admission in Iit where he could pursue a career in engineering. He had also gained admission to the prestigious Film & Television Institute of India (Ftii) in Pune that offers multifarious courses related to cinema. A yen for cinematography saw him plump for the latter, a decision that he has never had to rue till date. Madhu passed out of Ftii with a Gold Medal and in 1973, bagged his first assignment, a documentary on ‘Industrial Estates’ directed by Ramu Kariat of Chemmeen fame. In over four and a half decades, Madhu has cranked the camera for an incredible 250 films, his milestone film being Pani in Malayalam. He is...
- 10/14/2018
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThese stars have made handsome contributions but have remained unrecognised throughout their careers.CV AravindIn the Malayalam film industry, only the so-called upper crust of actors have always remained in the limelight. Also, the industry has always adopted different yardsticks for its male and women actors. Over the years, however, there is a long list of unsung stars who have made handsome contributions but have remained unrecognised right through their careers. Chemmeen, directed by Ramu Kariat, won the President’s Gold Medal for Best Film in 1965 at the National Awards. The film could qualify as one of the earliest multi-starrers with most industry folk landing roles in it thanks to its wide canvas. Two characters in this epic novel by Jnanpith Award winning writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai were those of Chemban Kunju and his wife Chakki Marakkaiyi. Kariat chose veterans Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair and Adoor Bhavani for the roles and they turned in superlative performances. But the portrayals by these two actors remained unheralded. Incidentally Sreedharan Nair’s son Saikumar remains one of the most popular villains in Malayalam cinema and also excels in character roles. One of Mollywood’s mainstays where story and scriptwriting is concerned has been another Jnanpith awardee Mt Vasudevan Nair, who has also directed well-known films such as Nirmalyam (1973) and Oru Chiru Punchiri (2000). In Nirmalyam, theatre artiste Pj Anthony, from whom the late Thilakan picked up his craft, was cast in the main role of a velichapad (oracle). The most riveting sequence in the film was the climax. Sword in hand, the character approaches the idol of the goddess who had failed him and his family. With great deliberation he draws the sword across his forehead and begins to bleed profusely. Gathering spittle in his mouth he spews it in a blob mingled with his blood at the deity, collapses in a heap and dies. One wonders whether a scene like this can get past the censors in today’s India. Antony won the National Award for Best Actor that year. He revealed his angst at the raw deal that he had been receiving at the hands of the industry in his acceptance speech. Another actor who could have been utilised much better was the late Premji, who enacted the role of Professor Eachera Warrier, the grief-stricken father of student Rajan, a victim of the Emergency in Piravi (1989). The directorial debut of cinematographer Shaji N Karun, it fetched Premji a National Award but the publicity remained low-key. One actor whose long career witnessed several highs and lows was undoubtedly Thilakan, who had to serve an unofficial ban after some industry bigwigs took offence at some remarks he made. There was a time when Thilakan, who began with small, insignificant roles in films, had become indispensable. And rightly so, for very few of his contemporaries could hold a candle to him where portrayals of diverse characters were concerned. Can one imagine films like Rithubhedam, Mookilla Rajyathu or Spadikam without Thilakan? Directors like Vinayan who too had to face the industry’s wrath on various occasions ensured that Thilakan remained a part of all his films. Director Ranjith, who cast Thilakan as Dulquer Salmaan’s grandfather in his film Ustad Hotel, when questioned on opting for the actor reportedly stood up to the actor’s detractors and demanded that they produce a better actor than Thilakan for the role he had in mind. Thilakan’s contemporaries including the likes of the late Narendra Prasad, no mean actor himself, had the highest regard for him. Thilakan’s departure from the scene has left a void that is yet to be filled. Among underrated actors in Malayalam cinema, the comedians deserve a notable mention. One of the most successful comedians was Jagathy Sreekumar, who was seriously injured in a car accident in 2012 and still remains out of action eight years later. Jagathy was always a delight to watch on screen and, in tandem with actors like Innocent, could bring the roof down with their antics. The laugh riot Kabooliwala, which featured the duo, still remains green in memory. Two comedians who nailed the lie that comics in Malayalam films were good only at slapstick and buffoonery were Salim Kumar and Suraj Venjaramoodu, both National Award winners. Salim won his award for Adaminte Makan Abu, a moving film about a poor man who yearns to go on the Haj against heavy odds. His role in Achanurangatha Veedu as an anguished father whose daughter is trafficked and raped was no less memorable. Suraj proved that he could deliver in serious roles with the Dr Biju directed Perariyathavar, which fetched him several awards including the National Award. Cast as a municipal sweeper, Suraj simply lived the role. In more recent times he did a wonderful job in Dileesh Pothan’s Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. Such roles have, however, been few and far in between and with the films failing to cut ice with the masses it is back to square one for these fine actors. Siddique (not to be mistaken for the reputed director of the same name) is another actor who has been around for over three decades but is yet to make it to the top bracket. There is hardly any kind of role that Siddique has not done; in some films he has even donned multiple disguises. Like another star who now does character roles after playing the hero for decades, Nedumudi Venu who remains an inevitable part of most films, Siddique too has never had a dearth of assignments. But where star ratings are concerned, Siddique has never been able to rise to the heights of his contemporaries like Mammootty or Mohanlal though he has been an integral part of most of their films. Script and screenplay specialist, actor, director and producer Sreenivasan is another star performer who has given the industry several hits in all capacities. Although his forte has remained the comedy genre, Sreenivasan has also played the hero with aplomb. Films like Sandesham and Mazhayethum Munpe fetched him state awards for Best Screenplay. Sreeni’s son Vineet has now established himself as a singer, actor and director as well and his other son Dhyaan too has followed in his father and brother’s footsteps. It is only in recent times that heroine oriented films have caught on in Mollywood thanks largely to the ability of actors like Manju Warrier, Rima Kallingal and Parvathi Thiruvoth to carry a film on their shoulders. Sharada, a brilliant two-time National Award winning actor, remained in the shadow of superstars like Sathyan and Prem Nazir. It was the late cinematographer-director Vincent who cast her in a woman-oriented film, Thulabharam. Sukumari, a gifted dancer and actor, cousin of the famous Travancore sisters Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, and director Bharathan’s wife, and Kpac Lalitha, a versatile actor in her own right, are two stars who remained in the periphery right through their long careers. Seema was not director IV Sasi’s first choice for his bold, pathbreaking film Avalude Ravukal. The story of a woman who turns sex worker was pitched to many heroines but Sasi drew a blank as not only was the subject taboo but there were quite a few risqué scenes as well. The film became a blockbuster and Seema was flooded with roles. The one-time background dancer in films would later prove her mettle in the Mt Vasudevan Nair scripted Aaroodam, directed again by Sasi, whom she married. Sasi’s Aalkkoottathil Thaniye was another film in which she delivered a stunning performance. Seema later faded away and was last seen in Tamil TV serials. The petite Jalaja too was another dignified performer in the 1970s and 80s. Introduced by the late Aravindan in Thampu, Jalaja went on to work with ace directors like Lenin Rajendran in Venal and Adoor Gopalakrishnan in Elippathayam. The Malayalam film industry boasts of some of the finest acting talent in Indian cinema. But Dame Luck smiles only on a few of them. But the rest, far from being disheartened, have always laboured with sincerity and devotion to their craft. And their contribution to the industry’s growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. Also read: Her story: 12 Malayalam films where women characters have their own arc...
- 7/3/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
The National Award winning Malayalam film Chemmeen released in 1965 was based on a novel by the celebrated writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. It was directed by Ramu Kariat, the editing was done by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the music composed by Salil Chowdhury. Veteran Manna Dey’s ‘Manasa Maine Varu’ a melodious song from the film still echoes in the hearts of those belonging to the earlier generation.
- 11/13/2017
- by TNM NEWS
- The News Minute
Bengaluru International Film Festival has announced the line-up of its Chitra Bharathi – Indian Cinema Competition, Kannada Cinema competition section and the 100 Years of Indian Cinema section.
A total of eleven films in the Chitra Bharathi – Indian Cinema Competition will vie for the “Suchitra Samman” with a cash prize of Rs 4 lakhs, equally divided between the director and the producer of the film. While the eight Kannada films in the Kannada Cinema competition section will contend for Rs 2 lakh award, to be equally divided between the producer and the director of the winning film.
The festival will also celebrate the centenary year of Indian cinema with the screening of twelve selected films.
The 5th edition of the festival (20th to 27th December, 2012) had recently announced the line- up of other sections.
Competition Line up:
Chitra Bharathi – Indian Cinema Competition
Chayiliam
Dir:Manoj Kana / Malayalam
Lessons in Forgetting
Dir: Unni Vijayan / Tamil
Sarasammana...
A total of eleven films in the Chitra Bharathi – Indian Cinema Competition will vie for the “Suchitra Samman” with a cash prize of Rs 4 lakhs, equally divided between the director and the producer of the film. While the eight Kannada films in the Kannada Cinema competition section will contend for Rs 2 lakh award, to be equally divided between the producer and the director of the winning film.
The festival will also celebrate the centenary year of Indian cinema with the screening of twelve selected films.
The 5th edition of the festival (20th to 27th December, 2012) had recently announced the line- up of other sections.
Competition Line up:
Chitra Bharathi – Indian Cinema Competition
Chayiliam
Dir:Manoj Kana / Malayalam
Lessons in Forgetting
Dir: Unni Vijayan / Tamil
Sarasammana...
- 12/14/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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