Kunchacko
Encyclopedia
Kunchacko was a Malayali
India
n film producer
and director
who heavily influenced the Malayalam film industry
by redefining the commercial film scenario. His venture Udaya Studios
influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu
to Kerala
. He is the producer of Jeevithanauka (1951) starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
, which is widely regarded as the first super hit in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandfather of popular film actor Kunchacko Boban
.
, Kerala
, India
in 1912. His father Mani Chacko Maliampurackal was the first to start a boat service in Kuttanadu. Kunchacko became interested in the art of filmmaking as he grew up. After finishing Intermediate (Pre-degree equivalent) he made plans to establish a film studio in Kerala.
, Alappuzha
. He was following the footsteps of J. C. Daniel
who established the first film studio in Kerala
named The Travancore National Pictures in 1926. In early days Kunchacko produced films under the banner of K & K Productions, with the partnership of K.V. Koshi.The company produced 4 films: Vellinakshatram, Nalla Thanka, Jeevithanauka and Visappinte Vili. Jeevithanauka (1951), starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
was a trendsetter and a big commercial success, running for 250 days. It is widely considered as the first superhit in Malayalam cinema history. During the making of the film Achchan, Kunchacko and Koshi parted ways and each started filmmaking in separate benners:Kunchacko under Udaya and Koshi under Filmco. Kunchacko went on to produce Achchan, Avan Varunnu and Kidappadam under the banner of Udaya. Kidappadam was a commercial failure, and that made Kunchacko to close down Udaya Studio. However, Udaya was opened within a few years with the help of his friend and Kerala state minster T. V. Thomas.
In 1960, Kunchacko tried his hand in film direction with Umma. The film went on to be a hit and it prompted him to proceed with direction. His next films Neela Saari and Seetha were also commercial successes, consolidating his career as film director. He went on to direct 40 films in his career of many genres including purana stories, vadakkan pattu stories, comedy films and social themed films. Some of his noted films are Bharya, Unniyarcha, Palattukoman, Sakunthala, Pazhassiraja, Mainatheruvi Kolacase, Ponnapuram Kotta, Anarkali and Kannappanunni. His career in film direction went along with his career as film producer. He produced noted films directed by various directors like M. Krishnan Nair (Agni, Mrigam, Kattuthulasi), A. Vincent (Gandharva Kshethram), Thoppil Bhasi
(Oru Sundariyude Katha, Ningalenne Communistakki) and K. Raghunath (Laura Neeyevide).
Death came for Kunchacko in January 1984, in the form of cardiac arrest
when he was in Madras, Tamilnadu with musician K. Raghavan
for the song recording of the film Mallanum Mathevanum. Kannappanunni was the last film directed by him, which was Udaya's 75th film.
is now an established Malayalam film actor. Kunchacko's brother Appachen started the Navodaya Studios.
Malayali
Malayali is the term used to refer to the native speakers of Malayalam, originating from the Indian state of Kerala...
India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
who heavily influenced the Malayalam film industry
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
by redefining the commercial film scenario. His venture Udaya Studios
Udaya Studios
Udaya Studios is the oldest film production studio in the Malayalam language film industry of India. It was established in 1947 by director-producer Kunchacko and film distributor K. V. Koshy in Pathirappally, Alappuzha in Kerala...
influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
to Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. He is the producer of Jeevithanauka (1951) starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
, which is widely regarded as the first super hit in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandfather of popular film actor Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban is an Indian film actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandson of film producer Kunchacko of the erstwhile Udaya Studios and the grandnephew of producer Maliampurackal Appachan...
.
Early life
Kunchacko was born to Mani Chacko Maliampurackal and Eliyamma in Pulinkunnu, AlappuzhaAlappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1912. His father Mani Chacko Maliampurackal was the first to start a boat service in Kuttanadu. Kunchacko became interested in the art of filmmaking as he grew up. After finishing Intermediate (Pre-degree equivalent) he made plans to establish a film studio in Kerala.
Career
In 1947, incidentally the year of India's independence, he established Udaya Studio in PathirappallyPathirappally
Pathirappally is a coastal village in Alleppey District, Kerala state, India. It lies along the new coastal road, about 5km from the town of Alleppey....
, Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
. He was following the footsteps of J. C. Daniel
J. C. Daniel
J. C. Daniel was the first film-maker from Kerala, India. He produced, directed, wrote, photographed, edited and acted in the first film made in Kerala, named Vigathakumaran meaning the Lost Child. He also established the first film studio in Kerala, named The Travancore National Pictures. It was...
who established the first film studio in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
named The Travancore National Pictures in 1926. In early days Kunchacko produced films under the banner of K & K Productions, with the partnership of K.V. Koshi.The company produced 4 films: Vellinakshatram, Nalla Thanka, Jeevithanauka and Visappinte Vili. Jeevithanauka (1951), starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
was a trendsetter and a big commercial success, running for 250 days. It is widely considered as the first superhit in Malayalam cinema history. During the making of the film Achchan, Kunchacko and Koshi parted ways and each started filmmaking in separate benners:Kunchacko under Udaya and Koshi under Filmco. Kunchacko went on to produce Achchan, Avan Varunnu and Kidappadam under the banner of Udaya. Kidappadam was a commercial failure, and that made Kunchacko to close down Udaya Studio. However, Udaya was opened within a few years with the help of his friend and Kerala state minster T. V. Thomas.
In 1960, Kunchacko tried his hand in film direction with Umma. The film went on to be a hit and it prompted him to proceed with direction. His next films Neela Saari and Seetha were also commercial successes, consolidating his career as film director. He went on to direct 40 films in his career of many genres including purana stories, vadakkan pattu stories, comedy films and social themed films. Some of his noted films are Bharya, Unniyarcha, Palattukoman, Sakunthala, Pazhassiraja, Mainatheruvi Kolacase, Ponnapuram Kotta, Anarkali and Kannappanunni. His career in film direction went along with his career as film producer. He produced noted films directed by various directors like M. Krishnan Nair (Agni, Mrigam, Kattuthulasi), A. Vincent (Gandharva Kshethram), Thoppil Bhasi
Thoppil Bhasi
Thoppil Bhasi was a Malayalam playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He was associated with the communist movement in Kerala and his play Ningalenne Communistakki is considered to be a groundbreaking event in the history of Malayalam theatre.Thoppil Bhasi was born in Vallikunnam, a small...
(Oru Sundariyude Katha, Ningalenne Communistakki) and K. Raghunath (Laura Neeyevide).
Death came for Kunchacko in January 1984, in the form of cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
when he was in Madras, Tamilnadu with musician K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan is a Malayalam music composer. Along with Baburaj, Raghavan is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. K.Raghavan gave a new direction and identity to Malayalam film music.As he searched for the right tune for the lyrics, little did K...
for the song recording of the film Mallanum Mathevanum. Kannappanunni was the last film directed by him, which was Udaya's 75th film.
Family
Kunchacko's son Boban Kunchacko acted in a few film produced by Udaya. He later ventured into direction with the films Palattu Kunhikkannan, Sanchari and Aazhi. His son, Kunchacko BobanKunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban is an Indian film actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandson of film producer Kunchacko of the erstwhile Udaya Studios and the grandnephew of producer Maliampurackal Appachan...
is now an established Malayalam film actor. Kunchacko's brother Appachen started the Navodaya Studios.
Direction
- KannappanunniKannappanunniKannappanunni is a 1977 Malayalam film based on Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of India. It was the 100th film featuring Prem Nazir and Sheela as the leading pair. It was Udaya Studio's 75th film.-Credit:*Director: Kunchako...
(1977) - Chennai Valarthiya Kutty (1976)
- Mailanum Mathevanum (1976)
- CheenavalaCheenavalaCheenavala is a 1975 Malayalam language film starring Prem Nazir in the lead role.. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1975) - Dharmakshetre KurukshetreDharmakshetre KurukshetreDharmakshetre Kurukshetre is a 1975 Malayalam language film starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1975) - Manishada (1975)
- Neela PonmanNeela PonmanNeela Ponman is a 1975 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1975) - Durga (1974)
- ThumbolarchaThumbolarchaThumbolarcha is a 1974 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1974) - Pavangal PennungalPavangal PennungalPavangal Pennungal is a 1973 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1973) - Ponnapuram KottaPonnapuram KottaPonnapuram Kotta is a 1973 Malayalam language film starring Prem Nazir and Vijayasree in the lead roles. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1973) - Thenaruvi (1973)
- AromalunniAromalunniAromalunni is a 1972 Malayalam language film based on Vadakkan Pattukal, a collection of Malayalam Ballads of medieval origin. It was directed by Kunchacko and starring Prem Nazir as Aromalunni....
(1972) - Postmane KananillaPostmane KananillaPostmane Kananilla is a 1972 Malayalam language film starring Prem Nazir and Vijayasree in the lead roles. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1972) - Panchavan Kadu (1971)
- DattuputhranDattuputhranDattuputhran is a 1970 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1970) - Othenente MakanOthenente MakanOthenente Makan is a 1970 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1970) - Pearl View (1970)
- Susie (1969)
- KodungallurammaKodungallurammaKodungalluramma is a 1968 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1968) - Punnapra Vyalar (1968)
- Thirichadi (1968)
- KasavuthattamKasavuthattamKasavuthattam is a 1967 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1967) - Mainatharuvi Kola CaseMainatharuvi Kola CaseMainatharuvi Kola Case is a 1967 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1967) - AnarkaliAnarkali (1966 film)Anarkali is a 1966 Malayalam romance film based on the historical love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali. Directed and produced by Kunchacko, the film was a direct adaptation of the 1953 Hindi film of the same name. The film stars Prem Nazir and K. R...
(1966) - Jail (1966)
- Tilottama (1966)
- Inapravugal (1965)
- ShakuntalaShakuntala (1965 film)Shakuntala is a 1965 Malayalam language film. It was directed by Kunchacko....
(1965) - Ayesha (1964)
- Pazhassi RajaPazhassi Raja (1964 film)Pazhassi Raja is a 1964 Malayalam biographical film directed and produced by Kunchako. It is written by wellknown playwright Thikkodiyan and is based on the life of warrior king Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja. It stars Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role, and Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Satyapal,...
(1964) - Kadalamma (1963)
- Rebecca (1963)
- BharyaBharya (1962 film)Bharya is a 1962 Malayalam language film starring Sathyan and Ragini in the lead roles. It was directed by Kunchacko based on a novel with the same title by Kanam EJ.The novel was based on the controversial Thiruvalla Ammalu murder case...
(1962) - Palattukoman (1962)
- Krishna KuchelaKrishna KuchelaKrishna Kuchela is 1961 Mythological Malaylam film telling the story of Krishna and Kuchelan.The movie was directed and produced by Kunchacko, Starring Prem Nazir, KPAC Sulochana, T S Muthiah.-Cast:* Prem Nazir - Krishnan* T S Muthiah - Kuchelan...
(1961/I) - UnniyarchaUnniyarcha (1961 film)Unniyarcha is a 1961 Malayalam language martial arts film directed by Kunchacko. It stars Prem Nazeer and Ragini in the lead roles. Unniyarcha was the first Vadakkan Pattu film in Malayalam. Inspired by its success, a series of similar productions came out in the following decades....
(1961) - Neelisally (1960)
- Seeta (1960)
- UmmaUmma (1960 film)Umma is a 1960 Malayalam social drama film directed and produced by Kunchacko. It was the first directorial venture of Kunchacko. Its screenplay is written by Vimal while the dialogues are by P. K. Sarangapani, who was on his debut. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Moidu...
(1960)