Anto Joseph

{{Infobox person

| name = Anto Joseph

| image = Anto_Joseph.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Anto in 2021

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1972|06|01}}

| birth_place = Kottayam, Kerala, India

| nationality = Indian

| other_names =

| occupation = {{hlist||Film producer|distributor|}}

| years_active =

| spouse = Neeta Pinto

| children = 2

}}

Anto Joseph (born 1 June 1972) is an Indian film producer, distributor and cinema exhibitor, who works predominantly in the Malayalam Film Industry. He began his career in Malayalam Cinema in the early 90s as a Production associate.

In 2007, he started his career as a film producer and served as the co-producer of the Mammootty starrer Big B. Later, he launched his own film production company named Anto Joseph Film Company and produced films like Malik, Take Off, The Priest etc.{{Cite web | url=https://m3db.com/anto-joseph | title=ആന്റോ ജോസഫ് }} He is currently serving as the general secretary of Kerala Film Producers Association.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/ott-release-we-need-to-plan-ahead-as-it-is-the-matter-of-survival-anto-joseph/articleshow/75824372.cms|title = OTT release: We need to plan ahead as it is the matter of survival: Anto Joseph - Times of India|website = The Times of India| date=19 May 2020 }} President, KPCC Samskarika Sahithi

His wife Neeta Pinto also started a production and distribution company along with Priya Venu in 2009, named Aan Mega Media. It has produced and distributed a few number of Malayalam films.

Early life

Anto Joseph was born on 1972 June 1, as the son of P M Joseph and Molly Joseph. He hails from Kottayam, Kerala and studied in SH Mount High School. While studying in Government College, Kottayam he also served as the district secretary of Kerala Students Union.

Career

Anto began his career as a production executive in the early 90s. His served as the production controller in many hit Malayalam movies like Black (2004 film), Thommanum Makkalum, Rajamanikyam and Mayavi etc.{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/anto-joseph-about-what-he-learned-from-mammootty-on-his-70th-birthday-qz2qpz|title='രക്തബന്ധത്തിനപ്പുറവും ചിലതുണ്ടെന്ന് പഠിപ്പിച്ച മമ്മൂക്ക'; ആന്‍റോ ജോസഫ് എഴുതുന്നു}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramanews.com/news/spotlight/2021/09/07/anto-joseph-fb-post-about-mammootty.html|title = ഉമ്മയുടെ ഹൃദയമിടിപ്പ് കൂടിയാല്‍ ഇടറുന്ന മമ്മൂട്ടി: ആന്‍റോയുടെ കുറിപ്പ്: ഹൃദ്യം| date=7 September 2021 }}

In 2007, he started as a film producer in association with other film production companies and made his debut as a producer with Mammootty-starrer crime thriller Big B (film), which despite having a lukewarm response in the theaters later went to be one of the biggest cult following movies in Malayalam Cinema. The movie also marked the debut of popular film director Amal Neerad. In 2009, Anto had his first major breakthrough as a producer with the film Annan Thambi. The movie was directed by Anwar Rasheed and had Mammooty on the double role. The movie turned out to be one of the highest grossers of that year.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/fahadh-faasil-malik-prithviraj-cold-case-to-release-directly-on-ott-confirms-producer-7352628/|title = Fahadh Faasil's Malik, Prithviraj's Cold Case to release on OTT, confirms producer Anto Joseph|date = 11 June 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://theprimetime.in/we-must-take-that-risk-mammootty-was-the-courage-anto/|title='We must take that risk '; Mammootty was the courage; Anto|date=13 March 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanitha.in/celluloid/movies/anto-joseph-share-mammootty-new-pic-news.html|title = 'എന്റെ ചിങ്ങപ്പുലരി' എന്ന് ആന്റോ ജോസഫ്, സ്റ്റൈലിഷ് ലുക്കിൽ മമ്മൂക്ക: വൈറലായി പുതിയ ചിത്രം | anto joseph share mammootty new pic news}} In 2014, he produced his first Tamil film starring named Bramman starring Sasikumar.

Later launched his own film production company named "Anto Joseph Film Company" and produced films like Malik, Take Off, The Priest etc.

In 2020, he produced Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal in association with Viacom18 Studios with Dulquer Salmaan on the lead.

In 2017, he produced the film Take Off Starring Kunchacko Boban and Parvathy Thiruvothu which was one of the most critically acclaimed films of that year. The movie was well received in the box office and went to earn many prestigious film awards including two national awards{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/national-film-awards-jury-praises-standard-malayalam-films-and-quality-acting-79519|title = National film awards: Jury praises standard of Malayalam films and quality of acting|date = 13 April 2018}} and five Kerala state film awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kerala-state-film-awards-2018-parvathy-indrans-bag-top-honours-take-off-emerges-as-the-big-winner-4381705.html|title=Kerala State Film Awards 2018: Parvathy, Indrans bag top honours; Take off emerges as the big winner|date=8 March 2018}}
He is the general secretary of Kerala Film Producers Association, vice president of Kerala Film Distributors Association and executive committee member of Kerala Film Chamber.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2021/07/20/film-associations-issue-guidelines-to-begin-shooting-in-kerala.html|title=Film associations issue guidelines to begin shooting in Kerala}}