Master
screenwriter
Dennis
Joseph,
known
for
some
critically
and
commercially
successful
films
made
in
the
80s
and
90s
that
elevated
both
Mohanlal
and
Mammootty
to
the
status
of
superstars,
passed
away
yesterday
(May
10).
He
breathed
his
last
at
a
private
hospital
in
Kerala's
Kottayam
reportedly
after
suffering
a
massive
cardiac
arrest.
He
was
63.
Dennis
is
survived
by
his
wife
Leena
and
children
Elizabeth,
Rossy
and
Jose.
Starting
off
his
career
as
a
Journalist,
he
made
his
film
debut
with
the
1985
Mammootty-Shobana-starrer
Eeran
Sandhya.
His
association
with
renowned
director
Joshiy
gave
Mollywood
some
unforgettable
hits
including
Nirakkoottu
(1985),
Shyama
(1986),
Nayayavidhi
(1986),
Sayam
Sandhya
(1986),
New
Delhi
(1987),
Sangham
(1988),
Nair
Saab
(1989)
and
No
20
Madras
Mail
(1990).
Along
with
his
success
as
a
screenwriter,
Joseph
bestowed
both
Mammootty
and
Mohanlal
with
their
big
breakthrough
New
Delhi
(1987)
and
Rajavinte
Makan
(1986)
respectively.
Interestingly,
he
also
penned
one
of
the
much-loved
Malayalam
films
No
20
Madras
Mail
which
saw
the
superstars
collaborating.
The
film
indeed
won
the
hearts
of
both
fans
and
the
audience,
thanks
to
the
beautifully
crafted
storyline.
Dennis
Joseph's
other
best
work
as
scriptwriter
includes
Gandharvam
(1993),
Akashadoothu
(1993),
Kizhakkan
Pathrose
(1992),
FIR
(1998),
Phantom
(1992),
Vajram
(2004),
Kottayam
Kunjachan
(1990),
Thudar
Katha
(1991),
and
Bhoomiyile
Rajakanmar
(1986)
among
others.
Reportedly,
he
was
going
to
make
a
comeback
in
films
after
8
long
years
with
Omar
Lulu's
Power
Star.
It
is
worth
mentioning
that
Dennis
had
also
helmed
5
films
including
Agrajan
(1995),
Thudar
Katha,
Appu
(1990),
Adharvam
(1989)
and
Manu
Uncle
(1988).
Among
them,
Mohanlal-starrer
Manu
Uncle
won
the
National
Film
Award
for
Best
Children's
Film
in
1988
and
Kerala
State
Film
Awards
for
the
Best
Children's
film
in
1989.
Sadly,
the
news
of
Dennis
Joseph's
demise
has
shaken
the
Malayalam
film
industry.
Superstars
Mohanlal
and
Mammootty
were
seen
turning
emotional
as
they
remembered
their
good
friend
while
sharing
some
memorable
throwback
pictures
with
him
from
the
location
sets,
where
some
of
the
biggest
hits
were
born.