Jose Prakash

Kunnel Joseph Joseph, better known by his stage name, Jose Prakash (14 April 1925 – 24 March 2012) was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Malayalam cinema. He was a singer turned actor who had appeared in more than 300 films mostly in antagonist roles. He was given the J. C. Daniel Award in 2011, a day before he died aged 86. In a career spanning around 40 years, he was known for portraying some of the iconic villain characters in the Malayalam film industry. Later, he switched to character roles in the mid-1990s.

He was born as K. J. Joseph (Jr.) on 14 April 1925 as the eldest of the eight children of Eliyamma and K. J. Joseph (Sr.) of the Kunnel house at Changanassery, Kottayam. He had four younger brothers and three sisters, among whom the youngest brother, Prem Prakash, is also an actor. Originally named after his father, he came to be known as 'Baby' among his family and friends. He had his primary education from Sacred Heart Public School, Kottayam. He was settled in Madras for around 30 years and later moved to Kochi. In 2003, his right leg had to be amputated due to Diabetes. He was married to Philomina (Chinnamma), who predeceased him in 1991. They had 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters: Elsamma Thomas (née Joseph), Rajan Joseph, Gracy Maliakal, Shaji Joseph, Jasmine Joseph, and Susan Joseph. He lived with his youngest son, Shaji Joseph, in Kochi till his death on 24 March 2012.

Script writers Bobby-Sanjay and Malayalam movie director Dennis Joseph are his nephews.

Jose Prakash was in the Indian army before entering the film industry. While in the army he had the rare distinction to serve as the body guard of Mahatma Gandhi during the time of partition. Like other actors of that age he was not a theatre or stage artist. He had served for Indian army for 8 years. He later left army and return to his homeland and start small business. Having interest in cinema and music from childhood he started a small club with his friends called Kottayam Arts Club in which he was the lead singer. Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair once saw his performance and called him as a singer for his debut directorial film Sheriyo Thetto. It was Thikkurissy who gave him the name Jose Prakash.

Jose Prakash started his early career as a singer who lend his voice for Prem Nazir, Sathyaneshan Nadar etc. Malayalam industry was not professional at early 1950s usually actors sing for themselves. Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair introduced him to V. Dakshinamoorthy who liked his voice and lend his voice for the film Sheriyo Thetto in 1953 directed by Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. In this film philosophical number "Paadu pettu paadangalil" sung by Jose Prakash introduced a new trend in Malayan cinema. He also did a small role in the movie. He was not at all a professional singer and does not attend any musical class. In the early 1960s Malayalam film industry became professional and the introduction of talented singers like A. M. Rajah, K. J. Yesudas ended the careers of all non professional singers. Up to the 1960s he had sung around 60 songs for various actors like Prem Nazir etc.

During his singing career he had done small roles and cameos for films. His first break as an actor was Bhakta Kuchela in 1961. But his major break as a villain was Olavum Theravum in 1969 and he later went on to do many films mostly in villain roles. In 1971, he acted in the first ever investigative sequel C.I.D. Nazir (1971) directed by P. Venu. Later he worked with P. Venu in many of his films. He and K. P. Ummer dominated Malayalam film industry in the role of Antagonist and was a hard target for Heroes. He acted in more than 350 films in Malayalam language and retired from film industry in 2003 for health reasons. His last film was Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum directed by Sibi Malayil. After a long gap of 8 years, he did a small cameo role in Traffic.

Kerala State Television Awards

• 1993:Kerala State Television Award For Best Actor - Mikhayelinte Santhathikal
• 2006 Bahadoor Award
• 2011 J C Daniel Award

• "Om Namashivaaya" - Love in Kerala (1968)
• "Oronnoro Chenchorathan" - Avan Varunnu (1954)
• "Neelippenne" - Manasakshi (1954)
• "Kannuneer Nee Choriyaathe" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Paadupettu Paadangalil" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Thaarame Thaanuvaru" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Vaarmazhaville Va" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Pokaam Pokaam" - Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
• "Kelkuka Ha" - Alphonsa (1952)
• "Chinthayil Neerunna" - Visappinte Vili (1952)
• "Ramanan" - Visappinte Vili (1952)

• Akashadoothu (TV series) (2012)- A teleserial from Surya TV which is the sequel of the hit Malayalam film Akashadoothu
• Mikhaelinte Santhathikal - as Mikhael (Doordarshan)
• Vava (Asianet)
• Avashthantarangal (Kairali TV)