Dennis Joseph
{{Short description|Indian screenwriter (1957–2021)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Indian name|Dennis|Joseph}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dennis Joseph
| image = Dennis joseph.jpg
| caption = Dennis Joseph in 1980's
| birth_name =
| alma_mater = Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad
{{small|(Bachelor of Science)}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1957|10|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2021|05|10|1957|10|20}}
| death_place = Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India
| death_cause =
| occupation = {{hlist|Scriptwriter|Director|Journalist}}
| years_active = 1985–2021
| spouse = Leena
| children = 3
}}
Dennis Joseph (20 October 1957 – 10 May 2021){{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/scriptwriter-director-dennis-joseph-no-more/articleshow/82541701.cms | title=Scriptwriter & director Dennis Joseph no more | work=The Times of India | date=11 May 2021 | accessdate=15 May 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=P. K. Ajith|date=10 May 2021|title=Adieu to Malayalam cinema's master writer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/adieu-to-malayalam-cinemas-master-writer/article34529636.ece |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |location=India |access-date=10 May 2021|issn=0971-751X}} was an Indian scriptwriter and director known for his work in Malayalam films. He was active during the 1980s and early 1990s. He frequently collaborated with directors Joshiy and Thambi Kannanthanam. He is known for scripting films including Nirakkoottu (1985), Rajavinte Makan (1986), Shyama (1986), New Delhi (1987), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990), Indrajaalam (1990), Akashadoothu (1993), Palayam (1994), and F.I.R. (1999). He also directed five films, including Manu Uncle, which won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film in 1988 and the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Children's Film in 1989.{{citation needed |date=March 2023}}
Early life
Dennis was born on 20 October 1957 in Ettumanoor, Kottayam district to M. N. Joseph and Eliyamma Joseph.{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=10 May 2021|title=Dennis Joseph no more|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dennis-joseph-no-more/article34529753.ece|access-date=10 May 2021|issn=0971-751X}} His father worked in the Indian Air Force, while his mother worked as a local teacher. However, he was also born into a film-making family, being a nephew of actors Jose Prakash and Prem Prakash.{{Cite web|date=10 May 2021|title=Malayalam screenwriter-director Dennis Joseph passes away|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/malayalam-screenwriter-dennis-joseph-passes-away-7309859/|access-date=10 May 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} He was also the nephew to Francis Prakash, who would go on to be a producer of the 1974 film Shapamoksham. He attended the Ettumanoor Government High School, followed by Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, where he studied for a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry.
Career
Dennis' career began at the Malayalam-language film magazine Cut Cut, where he worked as a sub-editor to the cartoonist B. M. Gafoor. During his stint at the magazine, he interviewed prominent actors in the Malayalam film industry, as well as spending time at filming locations.{{Cite web |title=Dennis Joseph, who scripted many hit Malayalam films, dies |author=Onmanorama Staff |work=Malayala Manorama |date=10 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url= https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/05/10/malayalam-script-writer-directior-dennis-joseph-passed-away.html}} Dennis made his debut into cinema in 1985, as the scriptwriter for the Jeassy film Eeran Sandhya, a film which saw Mammootty star alongside Shobana, Rahman and Dennis' uncle Jose Prakash. He followed this by writing the screenplay for Nirakkoottu, also in 1985. Directed by Joshiy, Nirakkoottu, whose cast included Mammootty, Urvashi, Lizzy and Sumalatha, told the story of a prisoner who seeks revenge for his wife's murder.{{Cite web |title=Past To Present: Who Can Replace Mammootty & Sumalatha If Nirakkoottu Is Remade Now? |author=Akhila Menon |work=FilmiBeat |date=27 January 2017 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url= https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2017/who-can-replace-mammootty-and-sumalatha-if-nirakkoottu-is-remade-now-prithviraj-nayantara-252829.html}}
Nirakkoottu was a success, leading Dennis to write a series of other films in the subsequent years. This included Rajavinte Makan, loosely adapted from Rage of Angels, a novel by Sidney Sheldon, which was released in 1986. Directed by Thampi Kannanthanam, this film was a huge success at the box office. Appearing as Vincent Gomas, a crime boss, Mohanlal successfully mesmerized the moviegoers and the film raised his stardom.{{Cite web |title=From Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon – Malayalam films inspired by Foreign books |author=Aradhya Kurup |work=fullpicture.in |date=27 October 2016 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url=http://fullpicture.in/talking-detail/66/from-shakespeare-to-.html |archive-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813151157/http://fullpicture.in/talking-detail/66/from-shakespeare-to-.html |url-status=dead }} Similarly, after around many flops, Mammootty was in the darkest days of his career in the period 1986–87, when Dennis scripted New Delhi.{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Films Which Gave The Much Needed Breakthrough To Our Stars! |author=Abhijith |work=FilmiBeat |date=26 September 2016 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url= https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2016/malayalam-films-which-gave-breakthrough-to-our-stars/articlecontent-pf184624-242490.html}} Directed by Joshiy, this film was also a loose adaptation of an English novel, Irving Wallace's The Almighty. Completely shot in and around Delhi, and went on to become the comeback film of Mammootty.{{Cite web |title=30 Years Of Mammootty's New Delhi: Some Interesting Facts About The Movie |author=Abhijith |work=FilmiBeat |date=25 July 2017 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url= https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2017/30-years-mammootty-s-new-delhi-some-interesting-facts-about-the-movie/articlecontent-pf214358-266241.html}}
In 1988, Dennis made his directorial debut with critically acclaimed Manu Uncle starring Mammootty,{{Cn|date=November 2021}} and the film featured a comedic police officer played by Suresh Gopi.{{Cite web |title=Mollywood's Top 5 Last Minute Changes That was Worth Gold - Mollywood Live |author=Sherin |work=Mollywood Live |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url=https://mollywoodlive.com/?p=85%7CMollywood%E2%80%99s |quote=Minnal Prathapan |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511211858/https://mollywoodlive.com/?p=85%7CMollywood%E2%80%99s |url-status=dead }} It won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film in 1988 and the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Children's Film in 1989.{{Cn|date=November 2021}}
Dennis continued writing scripts throughout the 1990s and 2000s; his last released film to date being 2013's Geethanjali, directed by Priyadarshan. He then took a hiatus from writing until 2020 when he announced a collaboration with director Omar Lulu on a film called Power Star.
Personal life and death
Dennis was married to Leena and had three children – Elizabeth, Rossy, and Jose.
He died on 10 May 2021, in Kottayam from COVID-19.{{cite web | url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/south-gossip/entertainment-news-south-news-trending-south-entertainment-news-legendary-malayalam-screenwriter-and-director-dennis-joseph-passes-away-due-to-covid-19-1824990/?fbclid=IwAR3lG7XkGKroBabfnPQRxxasoLlc_RSmB_MYCkOLpXEoN0wo8paFaNUksGQ | title=Legendary Malayalam screenwriter and director Dennis Joseph passes away due to COVID-19 | date=10 May 2021 }}{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=P. k Ajith|date=10 May 2021|title=Adieu to Malayalam cinema's master writer|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/adieu-to-malayalam-cinemas-master-writer/article34529636.ece|access-date=10 May 2021|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|title=Dennis Joseph, scriptwriter of 'Rajavinte Makan', 'No.20 Madras Mail' and other hit films, dies|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2021/05/10/dennis-joseph-scriptwriter-of-rajavinte-makan-no-20-madras-mail-and-other-hit-films-dies.html|access-date=10 May 2021|website=The Week|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=10 May 2021|title=Malayalam film director and screenwriter Dennis Joseph passes away|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/malayalam-film-director-and-screenwriter-dennis-joseph-passes-away-984555.html|access-date=10 May 2021|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}
Filmography
{{Cite web|title=ഡെന്നിസ് ജോസഫ്|url=https://m3db.com/dennis-joseph-0|access-date=2021-05-17|website=M3DB.COM|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=List of Malayalam Movies screenplay written by Dennis Joseph|url=https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/listmovies.php?tot=34&sp=1902&p=1|access-date=2021-05-17|website=www.malayalachalachithram.com}}
= As writer =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| 2014 thomson villa abin jacob
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Director !Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="2" | 1985
! scope="row" |Eeran Sandhya | Jeassy | |
| scope="row" |Nirakkoottu
| rowspan="6" | Joshiy | |
|---|
| rowspan="7" | 1986
! scope="row" |Sayam Sandhya | |
| scope="row" |Aayiram Kannukal
| |
| scope="row" |Shyama
| | {{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| scope="row" |Nyayavidhi
|Dialogues Only |
| scope="row" |Veendum
| |
| scope="row" |Pranamam
| |
| scope="row" |Rajavinte Makan
| |
| rowspan="4" | 1987
! scope="row" |New Delhi | Joshiy | |
| scope="row" |Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar
| | {{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| scope="row" |Kathakku Pinnil
| |
| scope="row" |Vazhiyorakazchakal
| |
| rowspan="3" | 1988
! scope="row" |Dhinarathrangal | rowspan="4" | Joshiy | |
| scope="row" |Thanthram
| |
| scope="row" |Sangham
| |
| 1989
! scope="row" |Nair Saab | |
| rowspan="4" | 1990
! scope="row" |Indrajaalam | | {{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| scope="row" |Kottayam Kunjachan
| |
| scope="row" |No.20 Madras Mail
| Joshiy | |
| scope="row" |Oliyampukal
| |
| 1991
! scope="row" |Thudar Katha | Himself | Story Only |
| rowspan="3" | 1992
! scope="row" |Kizhakkan Pathrose | |
| scope="row" |Mahanagaram
| |
| scope="row" |Maanyanmar
| |
| rowspan="4" | 1993
! scope="row" |Sarovaram | Jeassy | |
| scope="row" |Arthana
|Story Only |{{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| scope="row" |Akashadoothu
| |
| scope="row" |Gandharvam
| |
| 1994
! scope="row" |Palayam | |
| rowspan="2" | 1995
! scope="row" |Agrajan | Himself | |
| scope="row" |Indian Military Intelligence
| | {{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=2841|title=Indian Military Intelligence|accessdate=2 November 2014|publisher=www.malayalachalachithram.com}}{{cite web|url=http://en.msidb.org/m.php?1699|title=Indian Military Intelligence|accessdate=2 November 2014|publisher=malayalasangeetham.info}} |
| rowspan="2" | 1997
! scope="row" |Bhoopathi | Joshiy | |
| scope="row" |Shibiram
| |
| 1999
! scope="row" |F. I. R. | |
| 2002
! scope="row" |Phantom | Biju Varkey | |
| 2004
! scope="row" |Vajram | rowspan="2" | Pramod Pappan | |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
! scope="row" |Thaskara Veeran | |
| scope="row" |December
|Asok R. Nath | |{{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| 2006
! scope="row" |Chirattakalippattangal | |
| rowspan="2" |2007
! scope="row" |Abraham & Lincoln |Pramod Pappan | |{{Cn|date=November 2021}} |
| scope="row" |Ayur Rekha
| G. M. Manu | |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
! scope="row" |Kadha, Samvidhanam Kunchakko | Haridas Keshavan | |
| scope="row" |Patham Nilayile Theevandi
| |
| 2010
! scope="row" |Kanyakumari Express | |
| 2013
! scope="row" |Geethanjali |Dialogues Only |
| 2014
! scope="row" |Thomson Villa | Abin Jacob | |
| TBA
! scope="row" |Power Star | Omar Lulu | |
=As director=
| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Title !! Notes | ||
| 1988 | Manu Uncle | rowspan="2" | Written by Shibu Chakravarthy |
| 1989 | Adharvam | |
| 1990 | Appu | Written by Sreekumaran Thampi |
| 1991 | Thudar Katha | |
| 1995 | Agrajan |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0430573}}
{{Dennis Joseph}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joseph, Dennis}}
Category:Malayalam screenwriters
Category:Malayalam film directors
Category:Writers from Kottayam district
Category:Indian male screenwriters
Category:Film directors from Kottayam district
Category:Screenwriters from Kerala
Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Category:20th-century Indian male writers
Category:21st-century Indian male writers
Category:Directors who won the Best Children's Film National Film Award