P. G. Viswambharan

P. G. Viswambharan Biography

P. G. Viswambharan was a prominent director of Malayalam during 1980’s and 1990’s, better known as the film maker to raise Mammootty to a star hero. In a career spanning to about 4 decades since 1970’s, he directed 63 Malayalam films. He has given numerous memorable movies to Mammootty in the 1980’s, slowly raising him to stardom. Sphotanam (1980) was one of the earliest movies of Mammootty’s career and his first movie as hero and this action political movie was directed by Viswambharan. Though Mammootty started his film career in the early 1970’s and did his first full-fledged role in Mela in anti-hero role, it was Viswambharan who offered him a lead hero role for the first time. Through this movie, Mammootty established himself as an actor. They together have later worked for the movies, Ezhupunna Tharakan, Onnanu Nammal, Pinnilavu, Carnival, Nandi Veendum Varika, Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu, Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram etc.

He was born in the year 1947 in Thiruvananthapuram as the son of Gangadharan and Ponni. His wife’s name is Meena. The couple had two children. He worked as assistant under veteran Sasikumar before turning a full-fledged director in the year 1976. His debut movie was Ozhukkinethire. The following year, he directed Satyavan Savithri with Kamal Hassan and Sridevi, based on an epic taken from Mahabharata. This movie earned him critics’ appreciation.

He directed the commercial hit, Sphodakam with Mammootty and Seema in lead roles in the year 1980. Seemanthini, Itha Oru Theeram, Chaakraa, Kadal Kaatu, Gaja Kesari Yogum, Carnival, Kaattu Kuthira, Sandhyakenthinu Sindooram, Irrikku M.D. Akathudu, Ponnu, Oru thira pinneyum thira, First bell, Innathe program, Vakkeel Vasudev, Pravachakan, Aagneyam, Dada, Parvathy Parinayam and Onnu Chirikku are a few among his memorable hits.

In the mid 1980’s, he collaborated with Mammootty and Baby Shalini to form movies, called by the pet name - 'Mammootty-Kutty-Petty' films. The films born in this equation usually had suspense in the climax and the movies were box-office hits too. His family entertainers created great ripples in the 1980’s. He mostly worked with screenwriter Kallur Dennis. He was always keen in giving opportunities to young actors. During early 1990’s, he gave opportunities to young actors then – Mukesh, Siddhique, Jagadeesh, Geetha Vijayan, Anju, Sunitha etc. Puthooram puthri Unniyarcha in 2002 was his last release.

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Updated: May 06, 2014