Kochi, Sep 24 (UNI) Renowned Malayalam filmmaker and screenwriter KG George, who was undergoing treatment for stroke, died at an old age home in Kakkanad here on Sunday.
He was 77. He was the founder of a new school of filmmaking in Malayalam cinema, along with Bharathan and P. Padmarajan, in the 1980s.
Many prominent people, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer, opposition leader VD Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, and KPCC President K Sudhakaran, have condoled the demise of KG George.
George, who bagged nine Kerala State Film Awards for his various films, was also the recipient of the J. C. Daniel Award, the Government of Kerala's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
George made his debut with Swapnadanam (1975), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
His well-known films include Ulkkadal (1979), Mela (1980), Yavanika (1982), Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback (1983), Adaminte Vaariyellu (1983), Panchavadi Palam (1984), Irakal (1986), and Mattoral (1988).
George was the founder and chairman of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and continued to be an executive member. He was also the chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.
His debut movie, Swapnadanam, was a commercial success while maintaining its artistic quality. Swapnadanam won the Kerala State Film Award for best film. Another of his movies was released in 1980. 'Kolangal' smithereens the common romantic concept of an interior village in Kerala filled with virtues and happiness.
'Yavanika' stands out as one of the most commercially successful yet artistically superior films of the 1980s. In the form of a detective thriller, Yavanika explores the backstage drama of a travelling drama troupe. It won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film.
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