Jude Anthany Joseph is an Indian director, actor, writer, and software engineer who mainly works in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for his work as a director for films like ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ (2014) and ‘2018: Everyone is a Hero’ (2023).
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Jude Anthany Joseph was born as Sijo Joseph [1]The Times of India on Monday, 25 April 1983 (age 40 years; as of 2023) in Kochi, Kerala. His zodiac sign is Taurus. He attended St. Aloysius High School, North Paravur, Kerala, in 1999. He studied at the Union Christian College, Aluva, in 2001. Joseph pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering at L. B. S. College of Engineering in Kerala in 2005. [2]Jude Anthany Joseph – Facebook
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (semi-bald)
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Joseph Thaliath, and his mother’s name is Rosamma PV; his mother is a teacher.
Jude Anthany Joseph’s parents
Joseph has an elder brother and a sister named Jisa Joseph, who once worked at Cognizant.
Jude Anthany Joseph with his sister
Jude Anthany Joseph with his family
Wife & Children
Jude Anthany Joseph got married to Diyana Ann James on 14 February 2015. According to Jude, it was his wish to get married on Valentine’s Day.
A picture from Jude Anthany Joseph and Diyana Ann James’ wedding
The couple has two daughters; their younger daughter’s name is Izabel Anna Jude.
Jude Anthany Joseph with his wife and children
Relationships/Affairs
Jude Anthany Joseph entered into a relationship during his days at the L. B. S. College of Engineering in Kerala; however, the girl later left him. While talking about this in an interview, Joseph revealed that he had decided never to get married after that relationship. He, however, later fell in love with Diyana Ann James, whom he initially connected with through a Facebook comment. Their story began when Diyana left a comment on one of Joseph’s Facebook posts related to the film ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana.’ [3]Onmanorama
Religion/Religious Views
Joseph follows Christianity. He is an ardent follower of Jude, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He changed his name from Sijo Joseph to Jude Anthany Joseph in 2014 over his affinity towards Jude. While talking about this in an interview, he revealed that he had once prayed at the St. Jude Church in Angamaly, Kerala, seeking resolution for a personal matter and vowed that he would spread the saint’s name in the world if his prayers would be fulfilled. Joseph added that when his prayers became fulfilled, he decided to change his name to ‘Jude Anthany Joseph’ as he believed it to be the best way to fulfil the promise he had made in gratitude for the answered prayers. [4]Onmanorama
Career
Film
Director and Screenplay Writer
Jude Anthany Joseph initially started his career as an assistant director. He worked as an assistant director for films like ‘Malarvaadi Arts Club’ (2010) and ‘Thattathin Marayathu’ (2012). Jude made his directorial debut with the film ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ in 2014; the film was co-written by Joseph and Midhun Manuel Thomas, a director and screenwriter.
A poster of the film ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ (2014)
In 2016, Joseph worked as a director and screenwriter for a comedy road film titled ‘Oru Muthassi Gadha.’ He directed the film ‘Sara’s,’ which premiered on Amazon Prime Video, in 2021. Jude Anthany Joseph directed an epic survival drama film titled ‘2018’ (also known as ‘2018: Everyone is a Hero’) in 2023. The film was co-written by him, and it later emerged as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all-time and one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2023. On 27 September 2023, the film was announced as India’s official entry for the 2024 Oscars.
Actor
Jude made his debut as an actor with a coming of age romance film titled ‘Premam’ in 2015. He played the role of ‘Dolly D’Cruz’ in the film.
Jude Anthany Joseph as ‘Dolly D’Cruz’ in a still from the film ‘Premam’ (2015)
In 2017, he appeared as ‘Vijnanakoshy’ in the film ‘Velipadinte Pusthakam.’ He played the role of ‘Prakashan’ in the film ‘Oru Kuttanadan Blog’ in 2018. Jude appeared in many other films such as driver Shinoj in ‘Love Action Drama’ (2019), Manu in ‘Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan’ (2022), and Gireesh in ‘Voice of Sathyanathan’ (2023).
Short Film
Actor and Director
In 2014, Joseph directed a short film titled ‘Nakshathrangalude Rajakumaran,’ a biography of actor and producer Mammootty; the film was written by Joseph. In the same year, he directed ‘The Yellow Pen.’ Joseph appeared in a short film titled ‘Mattoru Kadavil Kuliscene 2’ in 2020.
Jude Anthany Joseph in a still from the short film ‘Mattoru Kadavil Kuliscene 2’ (2020)
Controversies
Verbal Abuse with Mayor
In April 2017, Joseph was arrested on a complaint made by Mayor Soumini Jain. According to her, Joseph abused her after she refused to give permission to hold the shooting for a film at the Subhash Bose Park in Kochi, Kerala. Joseph, however, was later released on bail. [5]The New Indian Express
Kasaba Mysogyny Row
Joseph faced backlash for posting a misogynist comment on social media during the ‘Kasaba Mysogyny Row’ in December 2017; the row started when actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, at the International Film Festival of Kerala in the same year, criticised the way women were being represented in films, using the film ‘Kasaba’ as an example. [6]The New Indian Express In response to Parvathy’s remarks, Joseph expressed his views through a post on social media which read,
A monkey gets into a circus tent. It does tricks according to what the circus master says. Finally, the monkey becomes known all over the town as an acrobat. Then, it starts to abuse the circus performers and owners, cribbing that they were exploiting it. The monkey could have gone back to the forest in the beginning. But if it had done that, who would have heard about it?”
Anthany vs. Antony Varghese
In 2023, Anthany made allegations against actor Antony Varghese for stepping down from a project after taking advance payment. According to Anthany, Varghese had accepted an advance payment of Rs. 10 lakh but withdrew from the project merely ten days before the scheduled commencement of shooting. In an interview, Anthany asserted that Varghese had not returned the money and had allegedly utilized it for his sister’s wedding. Varghese, however, responded to these allegations later in an interview and said that he had already returned the money to the producers of the film, and he had not used the advance money for his sister’s wedding. Varghese further mentioned that although he was initially sure about doing the film, he became uncertain about it after reading the script and later decided to step back. Varghese added that his mother had even filed a complaint against Jude for making baseless allegations about him and his family. [7]The Indian Express
Awards
2014
- Best Debutant Director award for the film ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ at the Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
- Best Script award for the film ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’ at Mohan Raghavan Film Awards
2023
- The Entertainment of the Year – Director award at the Mazhavil Entertainment Awards
Jude Anthany Joseph with The Entertainment of the Year -Director Award (2023)
- Icon of the Year in Art
Jude Anthany Joseph (centre) while receiving the Icon of the Year in Art award
- Best Movie of the Year, Best Director, and Best Screenplay award for the film ‘2018’ at Big Screen Awards
Jude Anthany Joseph’s Facebook post about winning the awards at the Big Screen Awards 2023
- Kalashreshta Puraskaram, received from the Chief Whip and MLA N. Jayaraj and politician Dean Kuriakose
Jude Anthany Joseph while receiving the Kalashreshta Puraskaram from the Chief Whip and MLA N. Jayaraj (left) and politician Dean Kuriakose (right)
Car Collection
Jude Anthany Joseph owns a Renault Lodgy. [8]Jude Anthany Joseph – Facebook
Facts/Trivia
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet. [9]Jude Anthany Joseph – Facebook
- From 2018-2019, he appeared as a judge on the reality show ‘Dance Kerala Dance,’ which aired on the channel Zee Keralam.
Jude Anthany Joseph (left) as the judge of the show ‘Dance Kerala Dance’
- He worked as a software engineer at Infosys from October 2006 to April 2009.
- He worked as an assistant program producer for Mazhavil Manorama from March 2011 to April 2011 in Kerala.
- Joseph admires actor Mammootty. He often posts pictures with him on social media. He, moreover, shows his support for Mammootty by promoting the actor’s work on social media.
Jude Anthany Joseph with Mammootty
- He supports the ‘Karigar Apnao Sanskriti Bachao Abhiyan’ (Adopt an Artisan, Save our Culture) initiative, which operates under the Uthhan organization. In 2018, he sponsored the construction of a home for the homeless in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, through a foundation led by philanthropist M. S. Sunil, dedicated to providing housing for the less fortunate. [10]The Hindu
- In an interview, Joseph shared insights into the making of the film ‘2018’ and revealed a personal connection to the story. He mentioned that he had suffered substantial losses during the 2018 Kerala floods, including his home in Athani. Joseph recalled that in the disaster was over, an NGO called Bodhini in Kerala reached out to him, requesting that he create a short film aimed at inspiring those who had suffered significant losses due to the flood. Joseph acknowledged that he was initially in a state of shock and deep distress due to his own losses. He, however, made the decision to create the requested short film, a choice that eventually aided him in overcoming his depression. Later, Joseph delved into extensive research on the Kerala flood and its repercussions, which ultimately led to the conception of the film ‘2018.’ [11]India Today
- Jude Anthany Joseph is an avid animal lover and has many rabbits as pets.
Jude Anthany Joseph’s Instagram post about his pets
- Joseph loves experimenting with various styles and has kept numerous different looks over time.
A collage of Jude Anthany Joseph’s pictures showcasing his different looks
