Kochi: Legendary Malayalam filmmaker and screenwriter Kulakkattil Geevarghese George, 77, passed away in Kochi today, media reports said.
Founder of a new school of filmmaking, he was a contemporary of popular film makers Bharathan and P Padmarajan, in the eighties. He won the Government of Kerala’s highest honour J C Daniel Award, for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
He was awarded 9 Kerala State Film Awards for his various films.
George debuted in Swapnadanam (1975) that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. George’s other popular films are Ulkkadal (1979), Mela (1980), Yavanika (1982), Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback (1983), Adaminte Vaariyellu (1983), Panchavadi Palam (1984), Irakal (1986), and Mattoral (1988). George was founder and chairman of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA). He was the chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.
Yavanika gave superstar Mammootty a platform to prove his mettle as a hero. It was an outstanding crime thriller. Panchavadi Palam film is still compared with corruption happening in Kerala. Ulkadal is believed to be the first campus love story in the state.
Adaminte Vaariyellu was the first movie on women’s emancipation.
Late veteran actor Tilakan described him as a film personality who would have reached the crescendo if he was out of the country.
He is survived by wife Selma George, who sang in his film Ulkadal, and two children.
