Kaloor Dennis | |
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Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | script writer |
Years active | 1979-present |
Spouse | Seena Dennis |
Children | Dinu Dennis Deeno Dennis |
Kaloor Dennis is an Indian film scriptwriter and novelist. [1] He works predominantly in Malayalam cinema. [2] He started his career with Anubhavangale Nandi in 1979. [3] He worked in more than 100 Malayalam movies with the areas of his contribution including script, story and dialogue. [4] Popular movies scripted by him are Raktham (1981), Aa Rathri (1983), Sandarbam (1984), January Oru Orma (1986), Gajakesariyogam (1990), Mimics Parade (1991), Welcome to Kodaikanal (1992), Kudumbasametham (1992) and Paithrukam (1993). [5] [6] He won the 1992 Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay for Kudumbasametham [7] His son Dinu Dennis has acted in the films Ottananayam (2005) and Ennitum (2006). [7]
It was the script that he penned for Joshiy's movie 'Raktham' that made him popular as a writer. Dennis' association with the Malayalam film industry started in the mid 1970s when he and designer Kitho started a cinema magazine, Chitrapournami. This gave them the opportunity to interact with several top-line actors and directors. Dennis' first script was for the move 'Vayal' directed by Antony Eastman. Soman and Shubha played the lead roles. At that time Jagan Pictures Appachan was planning for a new movie after 'Chamaram'. Appachan read Dennis' novel 'Aakashathinu Keezhe' published in Chitrakaumudi weekly and expressed his interest to make a movie based on that novel.
Accordingly, Dennis completed the script. They had not finalised the actor and that Friday a new film- 'Moorkhan', was released at Ernakulam Padma. Appachan and Dennis went for the movie. The movie was racy and thrilling and during the interval, Appachan asked Dennis. "Why cant we approach this young man Varkkala Joshiy to direct 'Aakashathinu Keezhe'?" Joshiy was finalised. They hired two of the lead actors Prem Nazir and Madhu for the movie.
However, at the last minute, some problems arose regarding the location, and Appachan asked Dennis to find another story. But Dennis came up with a new subject the very next day. After penning the script, the movie was titled 'Raktham'.
"Raktham was the inaugural movie of Mymoon theatre. It had a successful hundred plus days run," remembers Dennis.
Kaloor Dennis is known as a scriptwriter standing along with the producer. As a result of this, Dennis often had a clash with the superstars. Mammootty, who acted as a hero in 24 of his films, had not been on speaking terms with Dennis for over 12 years. There were differences of opinion with Suresh Gopi also. The beginning of MACTA – Malayalam Cine Technicians Association was in fact formed as a backdrop of this rift with Suresh Gopi.
He is always of the opinion that producers should be respected and loved then and now. The intervention of actors cannot be accepted. The issue with Suresh Gopi which eventually led to the formation of MACTA started on the location of a movie named City Police scripted by him. The shooting of the film went on smoothly. Suresh Gopi was the hero of his next film Karpuradeepam also. There were differences of opinion on the location. Shooting was disrupted and the producer was in a crisis. He soon called Joshiy (director) and thought of forming an organisation for scriptwriters. Joshiy directed to include directors also. The first executive meet of MACTA was held at Bharat Tourist Home. It grew into a big cultural organization. MACTA was formed against Suresh Gopi. But Suresh Gopi started giving donation for it from the day it was formed. Their conflict lasted only for six months. Along with John Paul, Dennis went to the shooting location of Joshiy's film Bhupathi. Suresh Gopi was the hero of the film. When Suresh Gopi heard Dennis talking to Joshiy about convening MACTA's committee, he insisted that the committee of MACTA be convened in his house ! He also served a sumptuous sadya for everyone. After that, Suresh Gopi had acted in four to five films of Kaloor Dennis including Marc Antony and Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal
Suresh Gopi is an Indian actor, playback singer, television presenter and politician who is currently serving as the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Tourism since June 2024. He was elected as a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha in the 2024 general election from Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, becoming the first BJP MP from Kerala, marking the party’s first-ever victory in a Lok Sabha election in the state. He is also serving as the President of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute from September 2023.
M. G. Soman was an Indian actor and former Indian Air Force officer who appeared in Malayalam films. He was one among the leading star actors doing hero roles in Malayalam Cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He has also done roles in Tamil films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Naalai Namadhe, Kumara Vijayam and Airport. However, in the late 1980s and 1990s, he switched to character and villainous roles.
Joshiy is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema and also directed Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada-language films. Joshiy is a pioneer of action thriller films in Malayalam cinema and his films are known for its stylized imagery, color grading and film noir.
Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. Ranjith made his directorial debut in 2001 with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devaasuram. His films Thirakkatha and Indian Rupee won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011 respectively. He is also the current chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
Jayasurya is an Indian actor, distributor, sponsor, model, film producer, playback singer, and impressionist who works in Malayalam films. He has appeared in more than 100 films and has won several awards, including a National Film Award, three Kerala State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South for acting and Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival held in Cincinnati, US. Jayasurya has also appeared in a few Tamil films.
Shaji Kailas is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Malayalam cinema. Shaji got a breakthrough with the comedy film Dr. Pasupathy (1990).
Twenty:20 is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by Joshiy, produced and distributed by Dileep through Graand Production and Manjunatha Release. The film stars Mohanlal, Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dileep. The film was produced on behalf of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) as a fundraiser to financially support actors who are struggling in the Malayalam cinema. All the actors in AMMA worked without payment in order to raise funds for their welfare schemes.
Rajavinte Makan is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language gangster film directed and produced by Thampi Kannanthanam from a screenplay written by Dennis Joseph and based on the 1980 novel Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon. It stars Mohanlal, Ratheesh, Ambika and Mohan Jose. In the film, Vincent Gomes sets out to exact revenge against Home Minister N. Krishnadas.
Renji Panicker is an Indian actor, scriptwriter, director, film producer, and journalist best known for his Malayalam films. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005.
New Delhi is a 1987 Malayalam language action thriller film written by Dennis Joseph and directed by Joshiy and produced by Joy Thomas. It stars Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Thiagarajan, Sumalatha, Urvashi, Siddique, Vijayaraghavan, Mohan Jose, Devan, and Jagannatha Varma.
Poovinnu Puthiya Poonthennal is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written and directed by Fazil. The film stars Mammootty and Suresh Gopi. It features Sujitha, Nadiya Moidu, Babu Antony, Thilakan, Lalu Alex, Maniyanpilla Raju, Sukumari and Siddique in supporting roles. The film was produced by Swargachitra Appachan under the banner of Swargachitra. It revolves around a drunkard widower who helps a deaf and mute boy find his parents' killers. The film features original songs composed by Kannur Rajan, cinematography was done by Anandakuttan.
A. K. Sajan is an Indian screenwriter and film director who is best known for his directorial debut Stop Violence (2002). The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Chandra Lakshman. He is also known for scripting many movies in the industry. His notable works include Dhruvam (1993), Butterflies (1993), Kashmeeram (1994), Crime File (1999), Chinthamani Kolacase (2006), Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri (2007) and Puthiya Niyamam (2016).
Nair Saab is a 1989 Indian Malayalam language action thriller film written by Dennis Joseph, directed by Joshiy, and produced by Liberty Productions. It stars Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Mukesh, and Geetha. The film was released on the occasion of Onam.
Mark Antony is a 2000 Indian Malayalam film, directed by T. S. Suresh Babu and produced by Safeel and Minraj. Story by Shaji T Nedumkallel and screenplay and dialogue By Kaloor Dennis. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Divya Unni, Janardanan and Lalu Alex in lead roles. The film had musical score by Berny-Ignatius.
Dennis Joseph 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), Appu (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.
Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language drama film produced by Navodaya Appachan under Navodaya Studio, written and directed by Reghunath Paleri in his directorial debut. The film features Asha Jayaram and Geethu Mohandas in lead roles. Mohanlal's voice-over appears throughout the film, but he turns up only at the end of the story. Suresh Gopi and Mukesh make cameo appearances.
Otta Nanayam is a 2005 Malayalam-language film directed by Suresh Kannan and written by Kaloor Dennis. It stars Dinu Dennis and Priyamani in the lead roles, with music composed by S. P. Venkatesh.
Salaam Kashmier is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Joshiy, produced by Mahaa Subair and scripted by Sethu. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Miya alongside Junaid Sheikh, Lalu Alex, Vijayaraghavan and Krishna Kumar. While the lead performances were praised, especially those of Suresh Gopi and Jayaram, the film was heavily criticised for its shoddy making, especially the background scores and illogical script.The film was a huge flop at the box office.
Lailaa O Lailaa is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language action spy thriller film directed by Joshiy. It stars Mohanlal and Amala Paul alongside a supporting cast of Sathyaraj, Joy Mathew, Sreerag Nambiar, Rahul Dev and Kainaat Arora. Bollywood screenwriter Suresh Nair debuted in Malayalam as writer in the film. The original soundtrack and background score were composed by Gopi Sunder.
Raktham (transl. Blood) is a 1981 Indian Malayalam film, written by Kaloor Dennis, directed by Joshiy and produced by Jagan Appachan under Jagan Pictures. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Srividya and MG Soman in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Johnson and cinematography was handled by N. A. Thara. The film revolves around CI Haridas and his family, consisting of his wife Malathy and daughter and Viswanathan, a military man and his revenge against the people who killed his wife and threatened his family. The film marked the debut of Captain Raju as an actor.