| Kunchacko | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1912 Pulinkunnu, Alleppey, Travancore |
| Died | 15 July 1976 Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film producer, director |
| Years active | 1947-1976 |
| Influenced | Malayalam film industry |
| Spouse | Annamma Chacko |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Mani Chacko, Eliyamma |
Kunchacko was a Malayali Indian film producer and director who heavily influenced the Malayalam film industry by redefining the commercial film scenario.[1] His venture Udaya Studios influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu to Kerala. He is the producer of Jeevithanauka (1951) starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, which is widely regarded as the first super hit in Malayalam cinema.[2][3] He is the grandfather of popular film actor Kunchacko Boban.
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Kunchacko was born to Mani Chacko Maliampurackal and Eliyamma in Pulinkunnu, Alappuzha, Kerala, India in 1912. His father Mani Chacko Maliampurackal was the first to start a boat service in Kuttanadu. Kunchacko became interested in the art of filmmaking as he grew up. After finishing Intermediate (Pre-degree equivalent) he made plans to establish a film studio in Kerala.
In 1947, incidentally the year of India's independence, he established Udaya Studio in Pathirappally, Alappuzha. He was following the footsteps of J. C. Daniel who established the first film studio in Kerala named The Travancore National Pictures in 1926.[4] In early days Kunchacko produced films under the banner of K & K Productions, with the partnership of K.V. Koshi.The company produced 4 films: Vellinakshatram, Nalla Thanka, Jeevithanauka and Visappinte Vili. Jeevithanauka (1951), starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a trendsetter and a big commercial success, running for 250 days. It is widely considered as the first superhit in Malayalam cinema history. During the making of the film Achchan, Kunchacko and Koshi parted ways and each started filmmaking in separate benners:Kunchacko under Udaya and Koshi under Filmco.[5] Kunchacko went on to produce Achchan, Avan Varunnu and Kidappadam under the banner of Udaya. Kidappadam was a commercial failure, and that made Kunchacko to close down Udaya Studio. However, Udaya was opened within a few years with the help of his friend and Kerala state minster T. V. Thomas.
In 1960, Kunchacko tried his hand in film direction with Umma. The film went on to be a hit and it prompted him to proceed with direction. His next films Neela Saari and Seetha were also commercial successes, consolidating his career as film director. He went on to direct 40 films in his career of many genres including purana stories, vadakkan pattu stories, comedy films and social themed films. Some of his noted films are Bharya, Unniyarcha, Palattukoman, Sakunthala, Pazhassiraja, Mainatheruvi Kolacase, Ponnapuram Kotta, Anarkali and Kannappanunni. His career in film direction went along with his career as film producer. He produced noted films directed by various directors like M. Krishnan Nair (Agni, Mrigam, Kattuthulasi), A. Vincent (Gandharva Kshethram), Thoppil Bhasi (Oru Sundariyude Katha, Ningalenne Communistakki) and K. Raghunath (Laura Neeyevide).[5]
Death came for Kunchacko in January 1984, in the form of cardiac arrest when he was in Madras, Tamilnadu with musician K. Raghavan for the song recording of the film Mallanum Mathevanum. Kannappanunni was the last film directed by him, which was Udaya's 75th film.[5]
Kunchacko's son Boban Kunchacko acted in a few film produced by Udaya. He later ventured into direction with the films Palattu Kunhikkannan, Sanchari and Aazhi. His son, Kunchacko Boban is now an established Malayalam film actor.[6] Kunchacko's brother Appachen started the Navodaya Studios.