My 3rd Film as Assistant Director ''Interview'' (Malayalam) in 1973

My 3^rd film as Asst.Director was Evershine Productions,’  ‘’Interview’’  in 1973

 Star Cast : Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Bahadoor, Adoor Bhasi Lyrics-Vayalar Music-Dhakshina moorthy Director-Sasikumar

Production Executive Mr.Nambiar picked me from my home and we went to meet Mr. S .L. Puram Sadanandans the script writer of ‘’Interview’’.  His house was in K.K.Nagar, Chennai. Nambiar introduced me to S. L. Puram. After a formal talk he handed over the script of ‘’Interview’’ to me. From there we went to Evershine office in Ashok Nagar. He appointed Sukumaran from production unit as my production boy to serve me coffee and lunch. I started copying script.  I completed  copying of the script, scheduling the break down, preparing  property list, one line script and List of the dresses for the entire film in three days. I handed over one copy of the script to Sasi sir. He asked my opinion about the script. I told him it’s full of family drama and a ladies oriented film and I liked the story very much. He instructed me to keep a copy of the script with me and go through it every night and come with suggestions for the shooting. Then onwards, Sasi kumar Sir lent his ears to my suggestions and improvised the stories of the films.  Baby chettan (LISSA BABY Super hit director) is the Associate director of the film , Producer Tirupathy chettiyar’s second son, Lakshmanan was the In-charge of Production and he fixed my salary as RS.1500.  We finished the film within 25 days. Most of the scenes were shot in Shyamala Studios. For most part of the film we had to work at night shifts in Shyamala Studios due to the shortage of Nassir sir’s call sheets. Even now it’s scary to think how we were working in the olden  days in night hours. We had to bear with the bites of giant mosquitoes. Hats off to great Nassir sir, who bear the bites of mosquitoes and worked with us with patience .  ‘Interview’ is emotional family drama. Adoor Bhasi, the comedy actor made a negative role with comedy in this film.

During that period at the time of censoring we had to submit the censor script.The script was written in the night hours only viz.,12midnight  to morning 6.Iused to run every reel  in the movieola and mark shots with footage in the script.I was very busy in that period. After the shooting time in the day shift I will work for editing till night 12 and after 12 till morning I was working writing script. I worked like this for 8 years. It was a nice experience working with Baby chettan. He was very loveable and always he taught me a lot of things like how to behave with Leading Artistes and how to teach acting to actors and actresses. The film was released and it was a super hit in the box-office .

My 2nd film as an A.D ‘Thaniniram’ in 1973

My 2^nd film as an Assistant director ‘Thaniniram’ in 1973

Sasi Kumar sir Introduced me  to Mr.Ragunath. He is also one of the associate directors to sir. And  director asked me to work with him as an assistant director for ‘’Thani niram’’ produced by Azeem and Co.                                                                                                                                                                    Azeem and co. were supplying the set properties to film production companies in Madras. (CINE DECAR) Proprietor was Mr.AZAM  BAI. He produced a number of films in Tamil and Malayalam. His office and godown were next to liberty theatre in Kodambakkom. I went to the office with Raghu Annan met the produce r Azam bai and production Executive and Cameraman Durai  Rajendran. He offered me a salary of RS.500 every month. & gave me an advance of R.S.500. I told Sasi Sir about the salary they offered me. He told me don’t ask any thing to any producer, whatever the amount be, take it happily. I started the work on the script: copying and breaking down. Raghu Annan instructed Rajendran to pick me up from home and drop me after the work every day. So the first day they dropped me to my home, From that day onwards I got vehicles from the companies. Next day morning by 8 O’clock the car came, the driver Mani , an  old man and Aazam bai’s personal driver,  picked me and went to pick Raghu Annan at kacherry road , Mylapure. Raghu Annan was staying in a lodge. He Introduced me to Mr. Krishnan Nair a Veteran Tamil  & Malayalam director. He advised me a lot of things about cinema. From Raghu Annan I learned professionalism. Raghu Annan was staying in Trivandrum. Only for the shooting he came to Madras. That’s how I got more scope to work independently.

Sasi Sir was very busy with shooting for other films. One day he asked me to meet Vayalar Rama varma (lyricist) and explain the situation of the song. I went to Old woodland hotel in Royapettai. I met him and explained the situation of the song & the song was needed very urgently. So I waited for him .He offered me a tea and after taking his bath he started to write a song , (VIGRAHA BANJAGARE). He requested me to copy it. I made a copy: he checked it and told me that my handwriting was very good. From there I went to AVM C theatre to meet Devarajan master, the music director. He was busy with some back round score. But R.K. Sekhar helped me to meet him and describe the song situation.

Oneday Azam bai suggested that since I was working with the topmost director of the film industry, I should  have more dressing sense. That day evening I met Costumer Kumar. He took me to Kailas silks, Pondy bazaar and purchased some cloth and he himself stitched some dresses for me. That was an eye opener- Since that day I took special care in selecting my oufits. We finished the film ‘Thani niram’ - An action oriented political drama in the locations of Sivaji Gardens, Nannu’s farm house and Prakash studios. Prem Nazir, Vijayashree, Bhasi, and Bahadhur were the main cast.

When we finished 60% of the film, the actor Bahadhur and producer Azambai  had some misunderstanding. Without Bahadur it was impossible to complete the film. But the producer was not ready for any compromise. Finally Sasi Sir decided and completed the balance portion with Pattam Sadan. In the film in scenes Nazir, Adoor bhasi and Bahadhur  go inside the house & they are come out. But  in the scenes happening  in the interior of the house Nazir, Adoor bhasi and Sadan only acted. Like this the film got completed. After seeing the film everybody was upset especially the distributor Geo kuttappan.  Only Sasi Sir was confident. He didn’t want the producer to Invest again extra 50%. Our Director always supported the producers. Sasi Sir said, “The film is story - telling and the audience will always be involved in the story; nobody will bother about the actors.”  When the film got released Sasi Sir’s judgment proved to be correct. The film was a box office hit.

My first film as Assistant Director

1973

When I completed my secondary school,with my film dreams I     caught the  train from Willington Island, Cochin to Chennai Central. Entering the film - world was very  difficult in 1970’s. Finally, with the recommendation of one of my relatives I got a job in TATA Oil Mills Ennore (North Madras) as an apprentice in mango juice section.

When I was staying in Kodambakkom, going to Ennore was very difficult to me in the morning shift, Daily I woke up at 3.30 in the morning and by 4 in the morning I had to  hurry to catch the first train from Kodambakkom to Parrys, again the plight starts to go from the  railway station to bus stand, then bus stop to Tata Oil Mills. When I entered the factory the siren will start for Six o’clock morning duty. Whatever the plight was, the salary was very good RS.660 per month. The job also was very difficult. I worked there for six months. After that I met Sri Sasikumar Sir(The super hit Malayalam director)He told me join as a assistant director to him. Next day I went to Syamala Studios for the shooting of ‘MARAVIL THIRIVU SUKSHIKUGA’ with Prem Nazeer and Ushakumari(Vennira Aadai Nirmala)

Next day sir told me they were starting the new film ‘Panjavady’ with Prem Naseer and Vijayasree at Prakash studios. where I gave my first clap(started my job as a clapping & continuity assistant)

Picturized a club scene with Nazeer sir as a CID officer inspecting the club to search for a culprit. After that next day we went for the shooting of the song with Nazeer and Vijayasree in motor bike shots in Gundy forest and back projection in AVM Studios.

        When I joined Sasikumar sir, he told me that there won’t be any salary, transport, or food. So I used to go the studios by walk. Sasikumar sir intraduced me to Mr.P.G.Viswambaran  (Later Director). He was the associate Director and Sarasa kumar is the 1^st assistant. My Director asked me to work under P.G.V who would give me all the instructions.

Viwambaram stayed in Krishna lodge, Kodambakkom  during that period. One day after shooting at night by 11O’clock, I was walking home by road. On the way I met our Director, Sasikumar sir passing by his car.That day he dropped me.

He also told me in future if there would be space in the car I can get in and get down  at kodambakkom Power House stop. Next day morning while we were shooting at Prakash Studio, Sukumaran from the production depatment called me to join them at the breakfast table. I said that I was not supposed to. But he compelled me and gave me the breakfast - Idli, vada,  pongal, Puri all at one time-for the first time( It was just the beginning- since that day I had been having the same luxurios menu for the breakfast for a million times from various film companies). Sukumaran from the production department had convinced the Director.

   When I used to go Viswambaran Chettan’s room he used to give me a job. I started the Censor script writing for the film’Maravil thirivu sukshikuga’, for which Viswambaran Chettan was the Associate Director.Everyday in the evenings  PGV used to take me to Ram Bhavan Hotel and order tiffen masaladosa, sweet, and coffee. Within seven days I completed the script and handed it over to PGV.(That’s the first script I wrote, which paved way to write Censor Scripts for more than Sixty films.

Mr.M.M.Kumar,  the buisiest Costumer of the period was the costumer of the film ‘Panjavady’. He started to have a liking for me. Within 24 days Panjavady film was completed. It was produced by Movie Shots Pvt Ltd (M.S.Productions) by Mr. BABY and Mr. Chandy, and the film was distributed by Jolly films. After the completion of the film oneday Chandy sir called Sarasakumar and me and gave us both envelopes with RS.250 .That’s the first salary of mine as well as to Sarasakumar for working as assistant directors.

Prem Naseer, Vijayashree, Vincent, Adoor bhasi, Joseprakash are the main artistes in the film, ‘Panjavady’. All the technicians who worked for ‘Panjavady’were very lovable to me. Editor V.P.Krishnan, fight master Thyagarajan, Cameraman Krishnakutty Costumer M.M.Kumar, and Make-up man Bhasker all of them were close to me. After the completion of the film I saw the film in AVM Lab Theatre. I was thrilled to see my name in the title card as assistant director.

‘Panjavady’ was released in 1973 and it was a box office hit.

First I started to copy the script of ‘Panjavady’ Orginal written by Jagathy   N.K.Achary (Jagathy  SreeKumar’s Father) . I wrote 3 copies (carbon): one for director, 2^nd one  is for PGV and the third one is for me to write one line order. Then I divided the scene order. After that I made the break down script. Then I calculated the number of costumes needed for every actor. Then I divided the number of sets required. All I did under the super vision of PGV.  And I handed over the papers to Krisha Swamy , the Production Executive. That’s how I got the Idea about story. The next day  when Sasi sir asked me about the story, I said I liked it. I did many jobs in the sets – giving clap, clap report writing, dress continuity, action continuity, and calling the artistes to the set.  I also got an Idea about editing with V.P Krishnan while helping him to “pack the reels”. Also, I learnt about Re-Recording under R.K.Sekhar (A.R. Rehman’s father) and mixing under Viswanathan (Engineer atAVM.C Theatre).

I loved all the work , So i learned all these  very easily. All the songs of the film were super hits. Lyrics were written by Sreekumaran  Thampy and music was composed by M.K.Arjunan.

http://connect.in.com/panjavadi-malayalam-movie/profile-390705.htm

Status	Released on 23-02-1973
Director	Sasikumar
Producer	VM Chandi
Banner	MS Productions
Story	Sasikumar
Screenplay	Jagathy NK Achari
Dialogue	Jagathy NK Achari
Lyrics	Sreekumaran Thampi
Music	MK Arjunan
Singers	KJ Yesudas, S Janaki, P Susheela, P Jayachandran, LR Eeswari, Ambili, Ayiroor Sadasivan
Background Music	RK Sekhar
Cinematography                                                 Box office    -Super Hit	TN Krishnankutty Nair

Gulab Prem Kumar, better known by his screen name G.Premkumar

Is an Indian film director who worked in Malayalam & Tamil cinema.He directed so far 12 films in his film career which began in 1979.
Early life:
He was born 25th November 1953 in Fort Cochin,Kerala.His parents are Raman Shetty Gulab and Sulochana Bai. His Original name is G.Prem Kumar(Gulab Prem Kumar) He had displayed a flair for acting in dramas even he was a boy in 10. He completed his school education from Sree Janardana Devasam L.P. School Fort Cochin. Finished High school in 1971 from Santa cruz high school, Fort Cochin.Lately did PGDCA & Hardware and networking and Windows NT from CICI Academy (Small Scale Industries Govt of India).

Film career

G.Prem Kumar started his film career as an assistant to director Sasi kumar Malayalam film maker and he also worked with the veteran Film makers  Sankaran Nair, P.G.Viswambaran J.Williams,and Thamil film-maker T.R.Raghunath , He learned the grammar of film-making and got his first directorial opportunity in 1979.His first film was Lajjavathy in which he introduced Ambika to Malayalam film Industry.

It was a commercially successful color film and a starting point for several important revolutionary romantic themes in Malayalam films. His next film Sayujyam with Jayan , Soman and Jayabharathy created box office records and even brought in criticisms that  Prem Kumar was extremely capable of catering to female audiences. This led him to make Hridayam Paadunnu in Malayalam and Andarangam Omayanathu in Tamil; both the films caught the family audience.

SPOUSE

Premkumar  &  Dr.JayashreePremkumar

 WORKED FILMS

1973

1, Panjavadi -M.S.Production Premnazir Vijayashree                       Assistant Director to Sasikumar

2, Thaniniram- Azeem&co Premnazir

3, Interview – Evershine Pro. Premnazir Jaybarathi

4, Divyadarsanam (Color) Chitra films Madu Jayabarathi

5, Tekkan kattu - Rajesh films Madu Sarada

6, Padmavyuham –M.S.Productions Nazir    Vijayashree

1974

7, Panchathantram -Murugalaya Nazir Jayabarathi

8, Sethu bandanam –Surya pictures Nazir Jayabarathi

9, Poothen Aruvi –M.S.Production Nazir Jayabarathi

10,Night Duty –Evershine Production Nazir Jayabarathi

11, Angathattu (Color) Azeem&co Nazir Vijayashre                                                                                           (Associate to T.R.Raghunath)

1975

12, Aaranyagandam –Rajeshfilms Nazir Sreevidhya

13, Pravaham -Suryapiuctures Nazir Vidhubala

14, Picnic (Color) M.S.Productions Nazir Lakshmi

15, Palazhimadanam –Murugalaya’s Nazir Jayabarathi

16, Sammanam-Evershine Nazir Sujatha Jayabarathi

17, Pulivaal -M.S.Production Nazir Jayabarathi

18, Padmaragam Nazir Jayabarathi

19, Sindhu -Suryapictures Nazir Madu Lakshmi

20, Abimanam –Rajeshfilms Nazir Sarada Associate Director to SASIKUMAR

1976

21, Swimming pool –Chelavoor Productions Kamalahassan

22, Kayamkulam kochunniyude makan –Evershine- Nazir Jayabarathi

23, Pushppasaram - C.B.Films Nazir Jayabarathi Sreevidya

24, Ozhukkinethire - Prakashstudios Nazir Jayabarathi-

                    Associate Director to ( P.G.Viswambaran )

25, Pickpocket -Bennyfilms Nazir Vdubala Associate Director to SASIKUMAR

26, Amruthavahini -Rajeshfilms Nazir Saradha

1977

27, Panjamrutham -Murugalayas Nazir Jayabarathi

28, Vishukkani(color) R.M.S.Production Nazir sarada vidubala

29, Chadurveedam-Manigandanfilms Nazir Padmapriya

30,Varadakshina- R.R.Films Nazir Jayabarathi

31, Lakshmi-Murugalayas Nazir sheela Jayabarathi

32, Aparajitha- Rajesh films Nazir Sarada

33, Rathimanmadan(color) Nazir Jayan Jayabarathi

34,Randu Lokam (color)supriya Nazir Sarada soman

1978

35, Mudramoothiram-Murugalayas Nazir Jayabarathi

36, Nevediyam-Makeup movies Nazir K.R.Vijaya

37, Satrusamharam- Kalpanafilms Nazir Jayan Vidubala

38. Gandarvam-Cannanore pictures Nazir sujatha Associate to B.K.Pottekkad

39,Mukkuvane snehichha bootham (color) Soman Jayan Unnimery Associate to -SASIKUMAR

1979

40, Vellayanniparamu-Murugalayas Nazir soman Jayabarathi

41, Choola-Navaratna movimakers P.J.Antony Soman (Producer) & Associate to SASIKUMAR

42, Neela tamara- (color) Ravikumar Ambika Co-Director Usafali

 43, Lajjavathi (color) Chandrikamovies Ambika k.chandran Photography , DIRECTOR

 44, Sayoojyam (color) Aksharachitra Jayan Soman Jyabarathi DIRECTOR

1980

45, Oru varsham oru maasam(color) Soman Jayabarathi Associate to- SASIKUMAR

46, Ethikkarapakki –Murugalayas Nazir Jayabarathi

47, Hradayam Padunnu-(color)Lankal films Soman Rajanisharma DIRECTOR

48, Andarangam Oomayanathu(col) ‘’ Saratbabu Roopa DIRECTOR

1982

49, Pooviriyumpulari(col-scope) Cherry ent. Mammooty ambika Producer ,Distributer, DIRECTOR

50, Bheeman (col)Areefa Enterprises Raghu Ranipadmini Co- DIRECTOR

51, Penn Ullam (col-Tamil- scope) Cherry Mammootty Ambika Producer &DIRECTOR

1983

 52, Hellow madras girl (col) Dhanyafilms Mohanlal madavi 2nd unit DIRECTOR

 53, Kaivarisai (col-Tamil)Shanti films Jaishanker seema DIRECTOR

54, Enthalaiva(col-Tamil)Yasooda prod. Jaishanker subha DIRECTOR

1987

55, Kunwaridulhan (col-Hindi-Dubb)Swapnafilms Prameela PRODUCER

1990

56, Agninilavu (col)Chakravarthy prod. Jagdish Ranjini Ex.Producer- & 2nd unit Director

57 Hellow Doctor (col-Hindi) Jayashree Cine International Producer

58 Hello Doctor(col-Tamil) Jayashree cine International Producer

1997

59, Hello docter (col- Telungu Dubb)Jayasri Cini International Roopasri PRODUCER

2000

60, Puthirapunithama(Col-Tamil)Tamilnadu Talkies NizalkalRavi DIRECTOR

 61, Vivahith Jeevan (Col-Hindi)Jayasri cini International N.Ravi PRODUCER-Director

2005

 62 ‘Al-Boom’ (Arabic-col} Oman Film Society Indian Producer & Technical Director Won FILM CRITIC AWARD2006 for the best technical perfection award in International category.

2012

 63,'PIRATES BLOOD' (English) Producer, & Technical Director Sunny Leone,Issabela grande,James wagnor. Director-Mark Ratering

Sunny Leone & Prem kumar in the sets of "Pirates Blood'' 

Our dreams come true, My wife Jayashree’s grandfather worshipped Lord Muruga.When her grand father shifted the family from Cochin to Kovai they continued  worshipping Lord Muruga and were doing Shasti Pooja every month, but they had to leave behind the Idol of Lord Muruga. When I was in Chennai I used to go to vadapalani  murugan temple daily and I became the devotee of lord muruga. From my wife Jaya I learnt kandarshasty kavajam, being a bakta of lord Iyyappa from 1972 on words I used to go sabarimala every year till 2012. When the astamangala prasna in Janardhana temple, Fort Cochin, insisted that two shrines of Lord Iyyappa and Lord Muruga should be built in the Janardhana Temple Compound, myself and my wife decided to take up the temple project. By the grace of Lord Iyyappa and Lord Muruga,We made the prathistta for  Lord Iyyappa and Lord Muruga on 13/2/2013 with our guru sri sri vamanasrama swamiji   and our dreams come true,

   

Lord Iyyappa Temple

Lord Murga temple