Kamal (director)

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Wikipedia

Kamal
Born
Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed

Mathilakam, Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala, India
OccupationFilm director
Years active1981–present
Known forKakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988)
Niram (1999)
Karutha Pakshikal (2006)
Celluloid (2013)
SpouseSaburabi

Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed, mononymously known as Kamal, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema. He was the former chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Kamal made his directorial debut with the 1986 film Mizhineerppovukal. In a career spanning over three decades, Kamal has directed over forty films. His films have won various National Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards, including for films such as Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988), Ulladakkam (1991), (1995), Niram (1999), Madhuranombarakkattu (2000), Meghamalhar (2001), Nammal (2002), Perumazhakkalam (2004), Karutha Pakshikal (2006), and Celluloid (2013).

Early life

Kamal was born as Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed on 28 November 1957 in Kodungallur, as the eldest son of Abdul Majeed and Sulaikha Beevi. He has two younger brothers.[1]

Career

He started his career by writing the film Thrasam, directed by Padiyan in 1981. He also worked as an associate director in the film.

His first film was Mizhineer Pookkal in 1986 and to date, he has directed more than 43 movies, among which are two non-Malayalam movies, one each in Tamil and Hindi. Apart from his role as a director, Kamal has held several administrative posts within the Malayalam film industry. He had previously acted as the general secretary of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and has been an executive member of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. He was elected president of the Kerala Directors' Union (FEFKA) in 2012.[2]

His works include Unnikale Oru Katha Parayam, Kakkothikavile Appooppan Thadikal, Thoovalsparsham, Ghazal, Ulladakam, Ee Puzhayam Kadannu, Azhagiya Ravanan, Mazhayethum Munpe, Meghamalhar, Madhuranombarakaattu, Perumazhakkalam, Karutha Pakshikal, Khaddama and Celluloid. His interest in film-making led him to enroll at the Kalabharathi Film Institute in Thrissur.[citation needed]

Celluloid (2013) is the biopic of J.C Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema. Smitha at the entertainment site, oneindia.com, stated that the film is one of the best films made in recent times from Indian cinema.[3]

Aami is a biopic of poet and author Kamala Surayya.[4]

Personal life

Kamal's son, Jenuse Mohamed, made his debut as a film director in 2015 with the Malayalam film 100 Days of Love.[5]

In April 2020, reports surfaced that an aspiring Mollywood actress had sent the director a legal notice on 26 April 2019, accusing him of sexually assaulting her after promising her a role in his film. Kamal said he suspected a former Chalachitra Academy employee to be behind the recent exposé, and, terming the allegations baseless, intended to defame him.[6][7]

Filmography

As director

  • Note: all of his films are in Malayalam, except otherwise noted.
YearFilm Notes
1986Mizhineerppoovukal
1987Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam
1988Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal
Orkkapurathu
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
1989Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
Pradeshika Varthakal
1990Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran
Thooval Sparsam
Shubhayathra
1991Pookkalam Varavayi
Vishnulokam
Ulladakkam
1992Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo
Aayushkalam
Champakulam Thachan
1993Ghazal
Bhoomigeetham
1995Mazhayethum Munpe
1996Azhakiya Ravanan
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu
1997Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu
1998Kaikudunna Nilavu
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
1999Niram
2000Madhuranombarakkattu
2001Meghamalhar
Piriyadha Varam Vendum Tamil film
2002Nammal
2003Gramaphone
Swapnakoodu
2004Manjupole Oru Penkutty
Perumazhakkalam
2005Zameer: The Fire Within Hindi film
Rappakal
2006Pachakkuthira
Karutha Pakshikal
2007Goal
2008Minnaminnikoottam
2010Aagathan
2011Gaddama
Swapna Sanchari
2013Celluloid Also producer
Nadan
2015Utopiayile Rajavu
2018Aami
2019Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal
2024Vivekanandan Viralanu

As associate director

Year FilmDirector
1982 ChilluLenin Rajendran
1984 Oru Kochu SwapnamVipin Das
1985 Aa Neram AlpadooramThampi Kannanthanam
Avidathepole IvideyumK. S. Sethumadhavan
AyanamHarikumar

As screenwriter

Year Film
1980 Kaavalmaadam
1981 Thrasam
1983 Kadamba
1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram
1986 Sunil Vayassu 20
1997 Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu
2001 Meghamalhar
2002 Gramophone
2003 Swapnakkoodu
2006 Karutha Pakshikal
2008 Minnaminnikoottam
2010 Aagathan
2013 Celluloid

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards

Kerala State Film Award

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

Source:[9]

Asianet Film Awards

  • 2001: Asianet Film Award for Best Director- Meghamalhar

References

  1. ↑ Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed Biography & Movie List – BookMyShow. In.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved on 19 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Kamal elected FEFKA president". newindianexpress.com. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Celluloid Movie Review – Don't miss this one". entertainment.oneindia.in. 17 February 2013. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "When Vidya Balan totally transformed herself into Madhavikutty". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  5. ↑ 19 March 2015. "Love in Bengaluru". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "This is a baseless allegation to spoil my name: Kamal". The Times of India. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "Director Kamal dismisses sexual harassment allegations against him, calls it baseless". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Kerala State Film Awards 2013 Announced: Best Actor :Prithviraj, Best Film: Celluloid – FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |. Fwdlife.in (14 December 2015). Retrieved on 19 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.