Jose Prakash

Jose Prakash Biography

Jose Prakash was a successful Malayalam actor of yesterdays known for portraying villain roles. He was a singer turned actor and has worked in more than 300 movies. After a long break, he appeared in a special role for the Malayalam movie Traffic in 2012, which happened to be his last screen performance too. He died on March 24, 2012, one day after the declaration of J. C. Daniel Award, highest honour of Malayalam cinema given for the overall contributions of a film artist to the industry. He along with Ummer completely dominated the villains of Malayalam film industry during 1970’s and 1980’s. With 1990’s, he switched on to character roles like other villains and comedians of yesterdays.

He was born as the eldest of 8 children of K. J. Joseph and Eliyamma Joseph on April 14, 1925 in Kottayam. His real name is K. Baby Joseph. His younger brother Prem Prakash is also an actor. He was serving in British Indian army before entering the film industry. He didn’t even have any passion to drama or acting. But he was interested in movies and singing. After a brief stint in military he returned back to hometown to start some business. Meanwhile he started a small club with his friends called Kottayam Arts Club. He was the lead singer of the troupe. Once Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair happened to watch his performance and offered him a song in his debut movie as a director, Sheriyo Thetto. He also changed his name to Jose Prakash.

V. Dakshinamoorthy was the music director of his debut movie. As he became a playback singer he has rendered his voice for the leading stars of the screen - Prem Nazir and Sathyaneshan Nadar.  During this time, he started appearing in bit roles and cameo appearances. His first break as an actor was Bhakta Kuchela in 1961 and his big break as villain was Olavum Theravum in 1969. Then he became more successful as a villain than an actor and fully concentrated on to his acting career.

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Updated: February 03, 2014