Noted Malayalam Filmmaker Thampi Kannanthanam Passes Away At The Age Of 65

Veteran Malayalam filmmaker Thampi Kannanthanam passed away on October 2 in a private hospital in Kochi after several days of illness. The 65-year-old was a producer, director and had also acted in a few films. He was admitted to the private hospital last week. Thampi was born on 11 December 1953 as the sixth son of Baby Kannanthanam and Thankamma at Kanjirappally, Kottayam, India. He studied in MC Seminary School and at St. Domenic College. He began his film career as an assistant director. He was married to Kunjumol and shared two children named Aishwarya and Angel. The director's wife and children are deeply saddened by his demise.

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 A multi-faceted film personality, Kannanthanam was an exceptionally talented and celebrated director and was often regarded as the one who took the famous South Indian actor Mohanlal to his career high in 'Rajavinte Makan' in 1986. 

He was best known for films like 'Rajavinte Makan', 'Vazhiyorakazchakal', 'Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar', 'Indrajaalam', 'Naadody', and 'Maanthrikam',. Thampi Kannanthanam directed some of his best works during the 80s and the 90s. The celebrated director started his career with Thavalam in 1983. He also worked as an actor in films like 'Itha Oru Theeram', 'Kathirunna Divasam', 'Nirnayam', 'Ustaad', and 'Oru Cheru Punchiri' to name a few.

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As a writer, he has credits for films like 'Janmandharam' and 'Aa Neram Alppa Dooram'. Thampi Kannanthanam turned producer with his 1986 directorial venture 'Rajavinte Makan' starring Mohanlal. Condoling the senior filmmaker's demise, actor Mohanlal reportedly said it was a huge personal loss for him. He recalled that Kannanthanam had a plan to produce the sequel to Rajavinte Makan but they couldn't materialize it, 1986 film that helped Mohanlal become a superstar in the Malayalam film world.

He had also directed a Hindi film 'Hadd' starring Jackie Shroff and Ayesha Jhulka. The Malayalam film 'Freedom', which released in 2004, was his last directorial venture. He had also penned the scripts for movies like Janmantharam and Freedom.