Manavalan Joseph

Manavalan Joseph is a renowned Malayalam film actor, who acted in over 100 films. He was born in Fortkochi and started his career during the 50’s. He got married to Thresia, and they have six children. Manavalan died on January 23, 1986, due to a heart attack while dubbing for IV Sasi’s Vartha in Chennai. He was debuted in the 1954 neo-realistic melodrama film, Neelakuyil. The film earned the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and was the first Malayalam film that was recognized nationally.

He went on to appear in several films until the early 80’s. He acted in different roles such as character, supporting, and comedy roles. Manavalan has contributed so much in the Malayalam cinema and has presented his roles naturally and with ease. In 1961, he starred in Kunchacko’s Unniyaarcha, alongside Ragini, Prem Nazir Prem Nazir was born on 7th April 1926 and his actu >> Read More... , Hari, Sathyan, and Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair in the lead roles. A year after, the same cast acted in the blockbuster hit film, Bharya, which was adapted from Kanam EJ’s novel of the same name. The film was also helmed by Kunchacko. Manavalan first acted as a police constable in P. Bhaskaran’s Mooladhanam, in 1969.

The following year, he performed in M. Krishnan Nair’s Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha; the first film about the story of Lord Ayyappa and the Sabarimala Temple. Manavalan and Kunchacko continued working in more films like Jail (1966), Susie (1969), Pearl View (1970), Othenente Makan (1970), Aromalunni (1972), Postmane Kananilla (1972), Ponnapuram Kotta (1973), Durga (1974), and more. He also worked with M. Krishnan Nair in films like Kattuthulasi (1965), Khadeeja (1967), Collector Malathy (1967), Padichakallan (1969), Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha (1970), and so on.