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 Mizhineerppoovukal. 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), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Niram (1999), Madhuranombarakkattu (2000), Meghamalhar (2001), Nammal (2002), Perumazhakkalam (2004), Karutha Pakshikal (2006), and Celluloid (2013).

Kamal
Born
Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed[1][2]

(1957-11-28) 28 November 1957 (age 66)
OccupationFilm director
Years active1981–present
SpouseSaburabi
Children2

Personal life

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Kamal was born on 28 November 1957 in Kodungallur, as the eldest son of the late K.M. Abdul Majeed and late Suleikhabi. He has two younger brothers. He is married to his first cousin, Saburabi. They have two children, Jenuse Mohamed and Hanna Shanu. Jenuse made his debut as a film director in 2015 with the Malayalam film 100 Days of Love.[3]

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 expose and termed the allegations baseless and intended to defame him.[4][5]

Career

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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 is currently the president of the Kerala Director's Union (FEFKA).[6]

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.[7]

Aami is a biopic of poet and author Kamala Surayya.[8]

Filmography

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As director

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

As producer

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Film Director Year
Celluloid Himself 2013

As Associate Director

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Year Film Director
1982 Chillu Lenin Rajendran
1984 Oru Kochu Swapnam Vipin Das
1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram Thampi Kannanthanam
1985 Avidathepole Ivideyum K. S. Sethumadhavan
1985 Ayanam Harikumar

Dialogues

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Year Film Director
1981 Thrasam Padiyan
1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram Thampi Kannanthanam
1986 Sunil Vayassu 20 K. S. Sethumadhavan
1997 Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu Himself
2001 Meghamalhar Himself
2003 Swapnakkoodu Himself
2006 Karutha Pakshikal Himself
2008 Minnaminnikoottam Himself
2013 Celluloid Himself

Story

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Year Film Director
1980 Kaavalmaadam P. Chandrakumar
1983 Kadamba P. N. Menon
1984 Aarorumariyathe K. S. Sethumadhavan
1987 Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam Himself
1996 Ee Puzhayum Kadannu Himself
2002 Gramophone Himself
2003 Swapnakkoodu Himself
2006 Karutha Pakshikal Himself
2008 Minnaminnikoottam Himself
2010 Aagathan Himself

Awards and nominations

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National Film Awards

Kerala State Film Award
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[10]
Asianet Film Awards
  • 2001: Asianet Film Award for Best Director- Meghamalhar

References

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  1. ^ Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed Biography & Movie List – BookMyShow. In.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved on 19 December 2016.
  2. ^ Kamala Surayya’s ‘Aami’ Starring Vidya Balan To Hit Floors On September 25. Desimartini.com (3 August 2016). Retrieved on 19 December 2016.
  3. ^ 19 March 2015. "Love in Bengaluru". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. ^ "This is a baseless allegation to spoil my name: Kamal - Times of India". The Times of India. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Director Kamal dismisses sexual harassment allegations against him, calls it baseless". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Kamal elected FEFKA president". newindianexpress.com. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "When Vidya Balan totally transformed herself into Madhavikutty". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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