K. G. George Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

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K. G. George (1946-2023) was an Indian filmmaker who is mainly known for his work in the Malayalam film industry. On 24 September 2023, he died after suffering from a stroke.

Contents

Wiki/Biography

K. G. George was born as Kulakkattil Geevarghese George ^[1]The Indian Express on Friday, 24 May 1946 (age 77 years; at the time of death) in Thiruvalla, Travancore, British India (now Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India). He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Kerala University in 1967. Later, he pursued a Diploma in Film Direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Maharashtra. ^[2]Mathrubhumi

K. G. George during his youth

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 8″

Hair Colour: Grey

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

His father’s name was Kulakkattil Geevarghese Samuel, and his mother’s name was Annamma Samuel.

Wife & Children

He got married to Selma George on 7 February 1977 at St. Mathias Church in Chennai. She is a playback singer in the Malayalam film industry. In an interview, Selma talked about how they got married and said that they first met in Chennai when Selma approached him to ask for an opportunity to sing in one of his films. She further said that George asked her mother for Selma’s hand in marriage during their second meeting. ^[3]Onmanorama Together, they have a son named Arun George, who is an actor, and a daughter named Tara George, who is a Dubai-based flight purser.

K.G Geoge with his wife and daughter

Career

Filmmaker

K. G. George started his career in the Malayalam film industry in 1972 as an assistant to the renowned film director Ramu Kariat for the film ‘Maya’ (1972). In 1974, he worked as an associate director and screenplay writer for the Malayalam film ‘Nellu.’ He made his directorial debut with the marital psychodrama film ‘Swapnadanam’ (1975). The film did not include any typical song-dance numbers.

Poster of the film ‘Swapnadanam’

In 1978, he worked as a director, screenplay writer, and dialogue writer for the film ‘Iniyaval Urangatte.’ He directed and wrote the screenplay, story, and dialogue for the film ‘Mela’ (1980), starring Mammootty. In his detective thriller film ‘Yavanika’ (1982), George used the technique of cinema within cinema. The film was well-received by the audience and critics.

Poster of the film ‘Yavanika’

In 1983, he made the film ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback,’ which was based on the suicide incident of the popular actress Shobha. The film received criticism even before its release.

Poster of the film ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’

His film ‘Panchavadi Palam’ (1984) is a satirical comedy, adapted from a short story written by Veloor Krishnankutty. It was the first Malayalam film in which an attempt was made to satirize the political scenario in the state of Kerala.

Poster of the film ‘Panchavadi Palam’

In 1985, he directed and wrote story, screenplay, and dialogues for the film ‘Irakal,’ based on the psychology of violence. In 1992, he worked as a producer for the film ‘Mahanagaram.’ His last film ‘Elavamkodu Desam’ (1998) did not run well at the box office. He worked as a director, story writer, and screenplay writer for the film.

K. G. George (centre) during the shooting of the film ‘Elavamkodu Desam’

Some of his other notable films include ‘Rappadikalude Gatha’ (1978), ‘Ulkkadal’ (1979), ‘Kolangal’ (1981), ‘Adaminte Vaariyellu’ (1984), ‘Yaathrayude Anthyam’ (1989), and ‘Ee Kanni Koodi’ (1990).

Actor

In 1984, George appeared in the Malayalam film ‘Adaminte Vaariyellu,’ starring Mammootty. He played the role of a doctor in the films ‘Pranayavarnangal’ (1998) and ‘Five Fingers’ (2005).

K. G. George (right) in a still from the film ‘Five Fingers’

In 2009, he made an appearance in the Malayalam film ‘Currency.’

Controversy

Falsely Accused in Fabricated Cases

On 17 April 2003, he was arrested in a cheque fraud case filed by some financier who had an intention of extorting nearly Rs 8 lakh from him following the failure of a film he had directed in 1998. However, he was granted bail the next day. In a press conference, George revealed that he had been harassed by an Abu Dabi-based businessman named Francis Cleetus, who had invested in the film ‘Elavangodu Desam’ (1998), which didn’t run well at the box office. Later, the filmmaker filed a case of harassment against Cleetus in a Thiruvananthapuram court. ^[4]The Times of India

Awards, Honours, Achievements

Kerala State Film Award

Best Film Award for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1975

Best Screen Play for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1975

Best film with popular appeal and aesthetic value for the film ‘Rappadikalude Gatha’ in 1978

Best Film Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982

Best Story Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982

Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Adaminte Variyellu’ in 1983

Best Story Award for the film ‘Adaminte Variyellu’ in 1983

Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985

Best Story Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985

J. C. Daniel Award for his contributions to the cinema in 2015

Kerala Film Critics Association Award

Best Film Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982

Best Director Award for the film ‘Yavanika’ in 1982

Best Director Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985

Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985

Second Best Film Award for the film ‘Mattoral’ in 1987

Chalachitra Ratnam Award in 2014

Other Awards

Filmfare Special Award – South for Special Commendation Award for the film ‘Swapnadanam’ in 1976

National Award for Best Regional Language Film for Dream Dance from President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1976
K. G. George received the National Award for Best Regional Language Film for Dream Dance from President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

Master’s Award from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) in 2015

Indywood Golden Frame Award for Lifetime Achievement (ALIIFF) in 2015

Muttathu Varkey Award for the film ‘Irakal’ in 2016

Vanitha Film Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017

CPC Cine Awards – Special Honorary Award in 2017

Death

K. G. George took his last breath on 24 September 2023 at an old age home in Kakkanad, Kerala, where he had been residing for the past five years. He had been undergoing treatment for a stroke for a long time.

Facts/Trivia

Before entering the film industry, George worked as a painter.

With the success of his directorial debut film ‘Swapnadanam,’ George established himself as a notable figure in the New Indian Cinema Movement of the early 1970s.

In the 1980s, he earned the esteemed label of a ‘via media director,’ shared with the filmmakers Padmarajan, Bharathan, and Mohan.

In 2012, George published his memoir titled ‘Flashback Enteyum Cinemayudeyum.’

In 2018, a documentary film titled ‘8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K.G. George’ was released. The film was directed by Lijin Jose.

In an interview, George’s wife Selma, said that she was not ready to marry him when he asked for her hand to her mother, but, her elder brother fixed her marriage with him. In the same interview, she said that she did not consider him a good husband as he always remained busy with his work and she had to look after her home alone. She said that his propensity to get angry with her and ignore her for months during the early years of their marriage affected her a lot. Selma thought of getting a divorce from him many times, but she couldn’t do it because she was not financially independent. ^[5]The New Indian Express

In 2021, there were rumours that the filmmaker was abandoned by his family at an old age home after he suffered a stroke in 2018. However, his wife, Selma George denied the rumours. In an interview, she clarified this and said,

We are paying a heft amount as monthly fee here. There is ambulance facility in case of an emergency. Our house is just 10 minutes away from this place. Every week, we visit him, with his favourite dishes. Despite all these, some people have been spreading lies that we have abandoned George at an orphanage and that the expenses are bore by an actor and some other organisations.” ^[6]Onmanorama