KG George (1946–2023) was an Indian film producer known primarily for his work in the Malayalam film industry. He died on 24 September 2023 after suffering a stroke.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
KG George was born as Kulakkattil Geevarghese George on Friday, 24 May 1946 (age 77 years at the time of death) in Tiruvalla, Travancore, British India (now Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Kerala in 1967. Later, he did a Diploma in Film Direction from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Maharashtra.
KG George during his youth
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Gray
Eye colour: black
Family
parents and siblings
His father’s name was Kulakkattil Geevarghese Samuel and his mother’s name was Annamma Samuel.
wife and children
He married Selma George on 7 February 1977 at St. Matthias Church, Chennai. She is a playback singer in the Malayalam film industry. In an interview, Selma talked about how they got married and said that they first met in Chennai when Selma approached him asking for a chance to sing in one of his films. She further said that George asked her mother for Selma’s hand in marriage during their second meeting. Together, they have a son named Arun George, who is an actor, and a daughter named Tara George, who is a Dubai-based flight purser.
KG Jiyoge with his wife and daughter
livelihood
film producer
KG George started his career in the Malayalam film industry in 1972 as an assistant to famous film director Ramu Kariat for the film ‘Maya’ (1972). In 1974, he worked as an associate director and screenwriter for the Malayalam film ‘Nellu’. He made his directorial debut with the marital psychodrama film ‘Swapnadanam’ (1975). The film did not include any specific song-dance numbers.
Poster of the movie ‘Swapnadanam’
In 1978, he worked as a director, screenwriter and dialogue writer for the film ‘Iniyaval Urangate’. He directed and wrote the screenplay, story and dialogues for the film ‘Mela’ (1980) starring Mammootty. In his espionage thriller ‘Yavanika’ (1982), George used the techniques of cinema within cinema. The film was highly appreciated by the audience and critics.
Poster of the movie ‘Yavnika’
In 1983, he made the film ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’, which was based on the suicide incident of popular actress Shobha. The film had to face criticism even before its release.
Poster of the movie ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’
His film ‘Panchavadi Palam’ (1984) is a satirical comedy, based on a short story written by Velur Krishnankutty. It was the first Malayalam film that attempted to satirize the political scenario of the state of Kerala.
Poster of the movie ‘Panchavadi Palam’
In 1985, he directed and wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues for the film ‘Irakal’, based on the psychology of violence. In 1992, he worked as a producer for the film ‘Mahanagaram’. His last film ‘Ilavamkodu Desam’ (1998) did not perform well at the box office. He worked as director, story writer and screenwriter for the film.
KG George (centre) during the shooting of the film ‘Elavamkodu Desam’
Some of his other notable films include ‘Rappadikaalude Gaatha’ (1978), ‘Ulkadaal’ (1979), ‘Kolangal’ (1981), ‘Adaminte Variyelu’ (1984), ‘Yathrayude Anthem’ (1989), and ‘Ee Kanni Koodi’ Are included. ‘ (1990).
actor
In 1984, George appeared in the Malayalam film ‘Edaminte Variyelu’ starring Mammootty. He played the role of a doctor in the films ‘Pranayavarangal’ (1998) and ‘Five Fingers’ (2005).
KG George (right) in a scene from the film ‘Five Fingers’
In 2009, he acted in the Malayalam film ‘Currency’.
Controversy
Falsely accused in fabricated cases
On 17 April 2003, he was arrested in a check fraud case filed by a financier with the aim of extorting approximately Rs 8 lakh from him following the failure of a film directed by him in 1998. However, he was granted bail the next day. In a press conference, George revealed that he was harassed by an Abu Dabi-based businessman named Francis Cleetus, who had invested in the film ‘Ilavangodu Desam’ (1998), which did not perform well at the box office. Later, the filmmaker filed a harassment case against Cleetus in a Thiruvananthapuram court.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
Kerala State Film Awards
- Best Film Award for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1975
- Best Screen Play for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1975
- Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value for the film ‘Rappadikaalude Gatha’ in 1978
- Best Film Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982
- Best Story Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982
- Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Adminte Veriyelu’ in 1983
- Best Story Award for the film ‘Adminte Veriyelu’ in 1983
- Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985
- Best Story Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985
- Jesse Daniel Award for his contribution to cinema in 2015
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
- Best Film Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982
- Best Director Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982
- Best Director Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985
- Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985
- Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Matoral’ in 1987
- Chalchitra Ratnam Award in 2014
other awards
- Filmfare Special Award – South for Special Commendation Award for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1976
- National Award for Best Regional Language Film for Dream Dance from President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1976
KG George received the National Award for Best Regional Language Film from President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed for Dream Dance
- Master Award from Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) in 2015
- Indiewood Golden Frame Award (ALIIFF) for Lifetime Achievement in 2015.
- Muttathu Varkey Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 2016
- Vanitha Film Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017
- CPC Cine Awards – Special Honorary Award in 2017
Death
KG George breathed his last on 24 September 2023 at an old age home in Kakkanad, Kerala, where he was living for the last five years. He was undergoing stroke treatment for a long time.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Before entering the film industry, George worked as a painter.
- With the success of his directorial debut ‘Swapnadanam’, George established himself as a notable figure in the new Indian cinema movement of the early 1970s.
- In the 1980s, he earned the prestigious label of ‘through media director’, shared with filmmakers Padmarajan, Bharathan and Mohan.
- In 2012, George published his memoir titled ‘Flashback Enteum Cinemadeum’.
- In 2018, a documentary film titled ‘8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of KG George’ was released. The film was directed by Lijin Jose.
- In an interview, George’s wife Selma had said that when George asked her mother for her hand, she was not ready to marry him, but his elder brother arranged his marriage with her. In the same interview, she had said that she did not consider him a good husband because he was always busy with his work and she had to manage the house alone. She said that his tendency to get angry with her and ignore her for months on end in the early years of their marriage took a toll on her. Selma thought of divorcing him many times, but could not do so because she was not financially independent.
- In 2021, there were rumors that the filmmaker was dropped off at an old age home by his family after he suffered a stroke in 2018. However, his wife Selma George denied the rumours. Clarifying this issue in an interview, he said,
We are paying a hefty amount as monthly fee here. Ambulance facility is available in case of emergency. Our house is just 10 minutes away from this place. Every week, we visit them with their favorite recipes. Despite all this, some people are spreading lies that we have left George in an orphanage and the expenses are being borne by an actor and some other organizations.
- Seven of George’s films have been screened at many international film festivals around the world.
- He was the founder and president of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA).
- He was the Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn