Malayalam cinema loses a pioneering producer-distributor: NG John aka Geo Kuttappan dies at 90

KOCHI: Veteran Malayalam film producer and distributor N.G. John, popularly known as Geo Kuttappan, who produced several hit films including Ee Nadu, died here at the age of 90. John was the managing partner of Geo Pictures, Geo Movies and Geo Films. He was among the producers who helped take Malayalam cinema beyond Kerala, with his films being shot in other parts of India and abroad.

In 1979, John produced Ezham Kadalinakkare, directed by I.V. Sasi. The film was shot in the United States and is regarded as the first Malayalam film shot in the US. The John-Sasi collaboration continued with Thusharam in 1981, which was shot in Kashmir and is described as the first Malayalam film shot there.

Iniyenkilum, released in 1983, was shot in Hong Kong and Japan and was another landmark production in John's career. The three films were among the productions that took Malayalam cinema to locations beyond the state and offered audiences new cinematic experiences.

John produced 12 films between 1977 and 1987. His productions included Minimol, Iniyum Puzhayozhukum, Meen, Innallenkil Nale, Ee Nadu, Iniyenkilum and Ithrayum Kalam. Most of his films were directed by I.V. Sasi.

His other notable productions included Rajaneegandhi, directed by M. Krishnan Nair, Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol, directed by Bhadran, and Unaroo, the only Malayalam film directed by Mani Ratnam.

John also financed the production of Sharashayya, the last film of actor Sathyan, helping screenwriter Thoppil Bhasi fulfil his ambition.

John entered the film industry in 1954, following in the footsteps of his father, N.X. George, an early Malayalam film producer and distributor. He was associated with the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce from its early years and served as president of the Kerala Film Chamber for six years.

Between 1954 and 1984, John distributed 90 Malayalam films. His production Ee Nadu, released in 1982, also achieved success beyond Malayalam cinema, with versions released in Tamil as Idhu Enga Naadu, Telugu as Eenadu and Hindi as Yeh Desh.

John maintained close relationships with several prominent figures in South Indian cinema, including M.G. Ramachandran, M. Karunanidhi, Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jayan, Mammootty, Mohanlal and Kamal Haasan.

He authored Cinemayum Njanum 70 Varshangal, a memoir documenting his long association with Malayalam cinema and the film industry's evolution over seven decades.

John is survived by his wife, Rosamma; children George John, Mathew John and Deepa; and children-in-law Shirley, Maya and Joel.

The mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Mary Queen Church, Thoppil, Edappally, from 9 a.m. on Friday. The funeral will be held at 4 p.m.