Jose Prakash | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Kunnel Joseph Joseph (1925-04-14)14 April 1925 |
| Died | 24 March 2012(2012-03-24) (aged 86) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1953–2011 |
| Notable work |
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| Spouse | Philomina joseph |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent(s) | K.J.Joseph, Eliyamma Joseph[1] |
| Relatives |
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| Awards | J. C. Daniel Award |
Kunnel Joseph Joseph, better known by his stage name,Jose Prakash (14 April 1925 – 24 March 2012) was an Indian actor and singer who worked inMalayalam cinema. He was a singer turned actor who had appeared in more than 300 films mostly in antagonist roles. He was awarded with theJ. C. Daniel Award in 2011, a day before he died aged 86.[2][3] In a career spanning for around 40 years, he was known for portraying some of the iconic villain characters in the Malayalam film industry.[4] Later, he switched to character roles in the mid 90s.
He was born as K. J. Joseph (Jr.) on 14 April 1925 as the eldest of the eight children of Eliyamma and K. J. Joseph (Sr.) of the Kunnel house atChanganassery, Kottayam. He had four younger brothers and three sisters, among whom the youngest brother,Prem Prakash, is also an actor. Originally named after his father, he came to be known as 'Baby' among his family and friends. He had his primary education from Sacred Heart Public School, Kottayam.[5] He was settled inMadras for around 30 years and later moved toKochi. In 2003, his right leg had to be amputated due toDiabetes. He was married to Philomina (Chinnamma), who predeceased him in 1991. They had 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters: Elsamma Thomas (née Joseph), Rajan Joseph, Gracy Maliakal, Shaji Joseph, Jasmine Joseph, and Susan Joseph. He lived with his youngest son, Shaji Joseph, inKochi till his death on 24 March 2012.
Script writersBobby-Sanjay and Malayalam movie directorDennis Joseph are his nephews.[6]
Jose Prakash was in the Indian army before entering the film industry. While in the army he had the rare distinction to serve as the body guard of Mahatma Gandhi during the time of partition. Like other actors of that age he was not a theatre or stage artist. He had served for Indian army for 8 years.[7][8] He later left army and return to his homeland and start small business. Having interest in cinema and music from childhood he started a small club with his friends calledKottayam Arts Club in which he was the lead singer.[9]Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair once saw his performance and called him as a singer for his debut directorial filmSheriyo Thetto. It was Thikkurissy who gave him the name Jose Prakash.
Jose Prakash started his early career as a singer who lend his voice forPrem Nazir,Sathyaneshan Nadar etc. Malayalam industry was not professional at early 1950s usually actors sing for themselves.Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair introduced him toV. Dakshinamoorthy who liked his voice and lend his voice for the filmSheriyo Thetto in 1953 directed by Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair.[10] In this film philosophical number "Paadu pettu paadangalil" sung by Jose Prakash introduced a new trend in Malayan cinema. He also did a small role in the movie. He was not at all a professional singer and does not attend any musical class. In the early 1960s Malayalam film industry became professional and the introduction of talented singers likeA. M. Rajah,K. J. Yesudas ended the careers of all non professional singers. Up to the 1960s he had sung around 60 songs for various actors likePrem Nazir etc.
During his singing career he had done small roles and cameos for films. His first break as an actor wasBhakta Kuchela in 1961. But his major break as a villain wasOlavum Theravum in 1969 and he later went on to do many films mostly in villain roles. In 1971, he acted in the first ever investigative sequelC.I.D. Nazir (1971) directed byP. Venu. Later he worked withP. Venu in many of his films. He andK. P. Ummer dominated Malayalam film industry in the role ofAntagonist and was a hard target for Heroes. He acted in more than 350 films in Malayalam language and retired from film industry in 2003 for health reasons. His last film wasEnte Veedu Appuvinteyum directed bySibi Malayil. After a long gap of 8 years, he did a small cameo role inTraffic.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Premalekha | ||
| Alphonsa | |||
| 1953 | Sheriyo Thetto | Debut Film as singer[11] | |
| 1954 | Manasakshi | ||
| Balyasakhi | |||
| 1955 | Aniyathi | Doctor | |
| C.I.D. | Mukunda Menon | ||
| Harishchandra | Minister Sathyakeerthi | ||
| 1956 | Manthravadi | Veeravarman | |
| 1957 | Padatha Painkili | Pothachan | |
| Deva Sundari | |||
| 1958 | Mariakutty | Ponnappachan | |
| 1959 | Chathurangam |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Bhaktha Kuchela | Nandagopan | [11] |
| 1963 | Ammaye Kaanaan | Advocate | |
| Snapaka Yohannan | Snapaka Yohannan | ||
| Kaattumaina | |||
| 1964 | Aadyakiranangal | Damodaran | |
| Karutha Kai | Madhava Menon | ||
| 1965 | Subaidha | ||
| 1967 | Agniputhri | ||
| 1968 | Love in Kerala | ||
| Velutha Kathreena | Superintend Manoharan | ||
| 1969 | Kumara Sambhavam | Devendran | |
| Chattambikkavala | Man at beach | ||
| Rahasyam | Karadi Damodharan | ||
| Kannur Deluxe | Gopalakrishnan | ||
| Kattukurangu | Das |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ee Kanni Koodi | Philip | |
| Kottayam Kunjachan | |||
| Veena Meettiya Vilangukal | |||
| Kadathanadan Ambadi | Chandrappan's uncle | ||
| Orukkam | Fr. Francis Arakkal | ||
| Indrajaalam | Baba | ||
| 1991 | Kadalora Kattu | ||
| Ragam Anuragam | |||
| 1992 | Maanthrika Cheppu | ||
| 1993 | Maya Mayooram | Nanda's father | |
| Devaasuram | Ezhuthachan | [11] | |
| Akashadoothu | Fr. Baby | [11] | |
| 1994 | Chukkan | Narayanan | |
| Bheesmacharya | |||
| Puthran | Michael | ||
| 1995 | Highway | Kartha | |
| Agrajan | Priest | ||
| Thumboli Kadappuram | Antony | ||
| 1996 | Man of the Match | ||
| 1998 | Meenathil Thalikettu | Company Manager | |
| 1999 | Vazhunnor | Bishop | |
| Pathram | Madhavan | [11] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Gift of God | ||
| Kanalkkireedam | |||
| 2003 | Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum | Judge | [11] |
| Mr. Brahmachari | Sukumaran | ||
| 2006 | Highway Police | Fr. John |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Traffic | Dr. Simon D Souza | Guest appearance[11] |