The king of screenplays is no longer remembered; Thousands say goodbye to John Paul

Kochi, First Published Apr 24, 2022, 5:35 PM IST

Kochi: G.John Paul, the screenwriter who enriched Malayalam cinema with his rich characters, is now remembered. Funeral services were held at Elamkulam Church, Kochi with state government honors. In the public viewing at Ernakulam Town Hall, many people from the field of cinema, culture and politics paid their respects.

John Paul left with a gift of timeless cinematic experiences to the Malayalees. Screenwriter John Paul passed away at around 1pm yesterday. He was 72 years old. He died at a private hospital in Kochi. The funeral of the legendary Malayalam narrator was held with full official honors at St. Mary’s Sunoro Throne Church, Elamkulam, Kochi. Joseph Mor Gregorios, Metropolitan Trustee of the Jacobite Syrian Church, officiated at the funeral. From the morning onwards, many people paid their last respects to dear Uncle John at the public viewing held at the Tree House, Chavara Cultural Center and Town Hall. The directors who brought John Paul’s stories to the silver screen, dear colleagues and all who saw him as a mentor were the last to see John Paul.

John Paul left without being able to complete much of what he longed for. On behalf of the State Government, Minister P Rajeev and Ernakulam District Collector Jafar Malik paid their last respects to John Paul. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and Film Minister Saji Cherian came to pay their last respects. John Paul will live on among the Malayalees for a long time to come, despite the fact that the narrator who created the stars was celebrated as much as the stars.

John Paul, an employee of Canara Bank, later resigned and became a full-time screenwriter. കാതോടു കാതോരം, കാറ്റത്തെ കിളിക്കൂട്, യാത്ര, മാളുട്ടി, അതിരാത്രം, ഓർമയ്ക്കായ്, ഇത്തിരിപ്പൂവേ ചുവന്ന പൂവേ, അലോലം, ഇണ, അവിടെ ഇവിടെപ്പോലെ ഇവിടെയും, ഇരൻ സംധ്യ, ഉണ്ണികളെ ഒരു കഥ പറയാം, ഒരു മിന്നാമിനുങ്ങ് നുറുങ്ങുവെട്ടം John Paul’s pen is full of beautiful paintings such as farewells. The screenplay for the movie ‘Pranayaminukalude Kadal’ directed by Kamal was finally written.

John Paul has written screenplays for over a hundred films. He is the author of several film books. He is the founding general secretary of the MACTA organization. Was active in the Film Society activities. John Paul wrote most of the screenplays for director Bharathan. He has worked with directors like IV Sasi, Mohan, Joshi, KS Sethumadhavan, PN Menon, Kamal, Sathyan Anthikkad, Bharat Gopi, Jesse, K Madhu, PG Vishwambharan and VG Thampi.

He has won the State Award for Best Film Text, the State Award for Best Director, the National Award for Best Environmental Film, the Film Critics ‘Award for Screenplay and Documentary, the State Television Award, and the International Federation of Film Critics’ (FIPRESC) Special Jury Award. He was the producer of the state, national and international award winning film Cherupunchiri directed by MT Vasudevan Nair. She has acted in films like Gangster and Care of Sairabanu.

Last Updated Apr 24, 2022, 5:45 PM IST

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