Veteran Malayalam filmmaker and producer John Paul passes away

Starting his career in 1980, the filmmaker had worked on over 100 films like Yathra, Ormakkayi, Sandhya Mayangum Neram, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Kathodu Kathoram and Utsavapittennu.

Veteran Malayalam screenwriter and producer John Paul passed away at the age of 71. The filmmaker was being treated at a private hospital in Kochi for the past two months, and passed away on Saturday.

Paul was born on October 29, 1950 in Ernakulam. After completing his graduation at Maharaja’s College he had worked in Canara Bank. He had resigned his job in the 1980s to focus more on his filmmaking career. He has worked in over 100 films.

As a scriptwriter, Paul has frequently collaborated with popular directors such as Mohan, Bharathan, P. G. Viswambharan, K. S. Sethumadhavan and Kamal, among others. Paul started his career as a scriptwriter in 1980, on the film Chamaram. Directed by Bharathan, the film starred Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Prathap Pothan and Ratheesh in pivotal roles. The film can be streamed on ManoramaMAX. Some of Paul’s other well-known works include Yathra, Ormakkayi, Sandhya Mayangum Neram, Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Kathodu Kathoram and Utsavapittennu.

Over the span of his decades-long career, Paul won numerous accolades for his writing including Kerala State Awards for both script writer and producer, film critics awards for best screenplay and documentary, special jury awards and many more. Paul had produced the M.T. Vasudevan Nair directorial Oru Cherupunchiri (2000), which has received numerous state, national and international awards. Besides his work in film, the filmmaker had also founded and acted as general secretary of Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA).

Paul also made appearances on screen, sharing the screen with Mammootty in the 2014 Aashiq Abu directorial Gangster and with Manju Warrier in C/O Saira Banu (2017). Paul also appeared on several episodes of Charithram Enniloode, a programme broadcast on Safari TV.

He is survived by his wife, Aisha Elizebath and daughter, Jisha Jibi. His last rites will be held on Sunday.

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