Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed, mononymously known as Kamal, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema. He was the former chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Kamal made his directorial debut with the 1986 film Mizhineerppovukal. In a career spanning over three decades, Kamal has directed over forty films. His films have won various National Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards, including for films such as Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988), Ulladakkam (1991), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Niram (1999), Madhuranombarakkattu (2000), Meghamalhar (2001), Nammal (2002), Perumazhakkalam (2004), Karutha Pakshikal (2006), and Celluloid (2013).

Early life Kamal was born as Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed on 28 November 1957 in Kodungallur, as the eldest son of Abdul Majeed and Sulaikha Beevi. He has two younger brothers.Kamaluddin Mohammed Majeed Biography & Movie List – BookMyShow. In.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved on 19 December 2016.

Career He started his career by writing the film Thrasam, directed by Padiyan in 1981. He also worked as an associate director in the film.

His first film was Mizhineer Pookkal in 1986 and to date, he has directed more than 43 movies, among which are two non-Malayalam movies, one each in Tamil and Hindi. Apart from his role as a director, Kamal has held several administrative posts within the Malayalam film industry. He had previously acted as the general secretary of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and has been an executive member of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. He was elected president of the Kerala Directors' Union (FEFKA) in 2012.

His works include Unnikale Oru Katha Parayam, Kakkothikavile Appooppan Thadikal, Thoovalsparsham, Ghazal, Ulladakam, Ee Puzhayam Kadannu, Azhagiya Ravanan, Mazhayethum Munpe, Meghamalhar, Madhuranombarakaattu, Perumazhakkalam, Karutha Pakshikal, Khaddama and Celluloid. His interest in film-making led him to enroll at the Kalabharathi Film Institute in Thrissur.

Celluloid (2013) is the biopic of J.C Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema. Smitha at the entertainment site, oneindia.com, stated that the film is one of the best films made in recent times from Indian cinema.

Aami is a biopic of poet and author Kamala Surayya."When Vidya Balan totally transformed herself into Madhavikutty". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 4 July 2016.

Personal life Kamal's son, Jenuse Mohamed, made his debut as a film director in 2015 with the Malayalam film 100 Days of Love.19 March 2015. "Love in Bengaluru". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2015.

In April 2020, reports surfaced that an aspiring Mollywood actress had sent the director a legal notice on 26 April 2019, accusing him of sexually assaulting her after promising her a role in his film. Kamal said he suspected a former Chalachitra Academy employee to be behind the recent exposé, and, terming the allegations baseless, intended to defame him.

Filmography

As director Note: all of his films are in Malayalam, except otherwise noted. Year Film Notes 1986Mizhineerppoovukal 1987 Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam 1988 Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal Orkkapurathu Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas 1989 Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Pradeshika Varthakal 1990 Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran Thooval Sparsam Shubhayathra 1991 Pookkalam Varavayi Vishnulokam Ulladakkam 1992Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo Aayushkalam Champakulam Thachan1993 Ghazal Bhoomigeetham 1995 Mazhayethum Munpe1996 Azhakiya Ravanan Ee Puzhayum Kadannu 1997 Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu1998 Kaikudunna Nilavu Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu1999 Niram2000 Madhuranombarakkattu 2001 Meghamalhar Piriyadha Varam Vendum Tamil film2002 Nammal 2003 Gramaphone Swapnakoodu 2004Manjupole Oru Penkutty Perumazhakkalam 2005 Zameer: The Fire Within Hindi film Rappakal 2006 Pachakkuthira Karutha Pakshikal 2007 Goal 2008 Minnaminnikoottam 2010 Aagathan 2011 Gaddama Swapna Sanchari 2013 Celluloid Also producer Nadan 2015 Utopiayile Rajavu 2018 Aami 2019Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal 2024Vivekanandan Viralanu

As associate director Year Film Director 1982 Chillu Lenin Rajendran 1984 Oru Kochu Swapnam Vipin Das 1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram Thampi Kannanthanam Avidathepole Ivideyum K. S. Sethumadhavan Ayanam Harikumar

As screenwriter

Year Film 1980Kaavalmaadam 1981 Thrasam1983 Kadamba 1985 Aa Neram Alpadooram 1986 Sunil Vayassu 20 1997 Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu 2001 Meghamalhar 2002 Gramophone 2003 Swapnakkoodu 2006 Karutha Pakshikal 2008 Minnaminnikoottam 2010Aagathan 2013 Celluloid

As actor Rekhachithram (2025) as himself

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards 2005– Best Film on Other Social Issues for Perumazhakkalam 2007– Best Film on Family Welfare for Karutha Pakshikal 2013– Best Feature Film in Malayalam for Celluloid

Kerala State Film Award 1991 Best Director for Ulladakkam 1995 Best Popular Film for Mazhayethum Munpe 2000 Second Best Feature Film for Madhuranombarakkattu 2001 Second Best Feature Film for Meghamalhar 2001 Best Screen Play for Meghamalhar 2002 Best Popular Film for Nammal 2013 Best Film for CelluloidKerala State Film Awards 2013 Announced: Best Actor :Prithviraj, Best Film: Celluloid – FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |. Fwdlife.in (14 December 2015). Retrieved on 19 December 2016.

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards Source:"കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023. 1995 Second Best Film for Mazhayethum Munpe 1996 Second Best Film for Ee Puzhayum Kadannu 1999 Second Best Film for Niram 2001 Best Film for Meghamalhar 2002 Second Best Film for Nammal 2004 Best Film for Perumazhakkalam 2004 Best Director for Perumazhakkalam 2006 Best Film for Karutha Pakshikal 2006 Best Director for Karutha Pakshikal 2010 Best Film for Khaddama 2010 Best Director for Khaddama 2012 Best Film for Celluloid 2012 Best Director for Celluloid

Asianet Film Awards 2001: Asianet Film Award for Best Director- Meghamalhar

References

External links

Kamal's memoirs serialised in Madhyamam Weekly: , , , 4, , 6, , , 9