Antony Basker Raj (25 June 1930 – 23 August 2020), also known as A. Bhaskar Raj, was an Indian director of
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
movies.
Career
From 1951 to 1960, he directed ten Singalese (Sinhala) movies followed by directing 65 Malayalam movies from 1963 until 1984. He also directed two Tamil movies. He was the father of National Award-winning actress
Saranya Ponvannan
Saranya Ponvannan (born Sheela Christina) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam language films. Saranya made her debut in a lead role in Mani Ratnam's ''Nayakan'' (1987) and went on to play lead roles from ...
, who is a leading actress in Tamil cinema. A. B. Raj was the Second Unit Assistant Director of
The Bridge on the River Kwai
''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' is a 1957 epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the 1952 novel written by Pierre Boulle. Although the film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943, the pl ...
by
David Lean
Sir David Lean (25 March 190816 April 1991) was an English film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Widely considered one of the most important figures in British cinema, Lean directed the large-scale epics ''The Bridge on the River ...
.
Death
He died on 23 August 2020 due to a
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...
at the age of 90.
Filmography
Malayalam movies
*''
Ormikkan Omanikkan'' (1985)
*''
Manase Ninakku Mangalam'' (1984)
*''Ningalil Oru Sthree'' (1984)
*''
Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu'' (1983)
*''Aakrosam'' (1982)
*''
Kazhu Maram'' (1982)
*''
Adima Changala
''Adima Changala'' is a 1981 Indian Malayalam-language action-adventure film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by R. S. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Swapna and Vishnuvardhan in the lead roles. The film has musical score ...
'' (1981)
*''
Agni Saram
Agni (English: , sa, अग्नि, translit=Agni) is a Sanskrit word meaning fire and connotes the Vedic fire deity of Hinduism. He is also the guardian deity of the southeast direction and is typically found in southeast corners of Hindu ...
'' (1981)
*''Vazhikal Yaathrakkar'' (1981)
*''Kalam Kaathu Ninnilla'' (1979)
*''
Irumbazhikal
''Irumbazhikal'' is a 1979 Indian Malayalam Action. Drama film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayan, Jayabharathi and K. P. Ummer in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.It was a box office hit.
Cast ...
'' (1979)
*''
Kazhukan
''Kazhukan'' is a 1979 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Jayan, Shubha, Sukumaran and Jagathy Sreekumar . The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan. Sukumaran plays the antagonist. The film was a remake of ...
'' (1979)
*''Aana Kalari'' (1978)
*''
Avakaasham
''Avakaasham'' is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Jayabharathi, Jose Prakash, Sankaradi and Alummoodan in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Cast
*Jayabharathi
*Jose Prakash
*Sank ...
'' (1978)
*''Kanal Kattakal'' (1978)
*''Prarthana'' (1978)
*''
Raju Rahim
''Raju Rahim'' is a 1978 Cinema of India, Indian Malayalam language, Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by R. S. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, K. P. Ummer, Raghavan (actor), Raghavan, Bahadoor and G. K. Pillai (actor), ...
'' (1978)
*''Society Lady'' (1978)
*''
Aval Oru Devaalayam
''Aval Oru Devaalayam'' is a 1977 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by R. S. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayan, Sheela and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Cast
*P ...
'' (1977)
*''
Bharya Vijayam'' (1977)
*''Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva'' (1977)
*''
Chirikudukka'' (1976)
*''Light House'' (1976)
*''Prasadam'' (1976)
*''
Seemantha Puthran
''Seemanthaputhran'' () is a 1976 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by R. S. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, KPAC Lalitha and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Ar ...
'' (1976)
*''Ashthami Rohini'' (1975)
*''Chief Guest'' (1975)
*''Chumadu Darling'' (1975)
*''
Oomana Kunju'' (1975)
*''
Soorya Vamsam
''Sooryavamsham'' is a 1975 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by Dos and Joy. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Jose Prakash in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Cast
* ...
'' (1975)
*''Tourist Bungalow'' (1975)
*''
Honeymoon
A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds immediately after their wedding, to celebrate their marriage. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic. In a similar context, it may also refer to the phase ...
'' (1974)
*''
Rahasyarathri
''Rahasyarathri'' is a 1974 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by R. S. Sreenivasan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Jose Prakash in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Ca ...
'' (1974)
*''Agnathavasam'' (1973)
*''
Football Champion
''Football Champion'' is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language sports film produced by T. E. Vasudevan under the banner of Jaya Maruthi, directed by A. B. Raj and written by V. Devan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sujatha, Jayakumari, K. P. Ummer, Ad ...
'' (1973)
*''Pacha Nottukal'' (1973)
*''Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu'' (1973)
*''
Kalippava
''Kalippava'' is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Sathyan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film had musical score by B. A. Chidambaranath.
Cast
* Sathyan
*Kaviyoor ...
'' (1972)
*''Nirthasala'' (1972)
*''Sambhavami Yuge Yuge'' (1972)
*'
Marunnattil Oru Malayali' (1971)
*''Neethi'' (1971)
*''Ezhuthatha Katha'' (1970)
*''Lottery Ticket'' (1970)
*''
Danger Biscuit
''Danger Biscuit'' is a 1969 Cinema of India, Indian Malayalam language, Malayalam film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by T. E. Vasudevan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty, Sadhana (Malayalam actress), Sadhan ...
'' (1969)
*''Kannoor Deluxe'' (1969)
*''Kaliyalla Kalyanam'' (1968)
Tamil movies
* ''
Thulli Odum Pullimaan'' (1971)
* ''
Kai Niraya Kasu'' (1974)
Sinhala movies
*Prema Tharagaya (1953)
*Ahankara Sthree (1954)
*Perakadoru Bena (1955)
*Ramyalatha (1956)
*Sohoyuro (1958)
*Vana Mohini (1958)
See also
*
List of Malayalam films from 1971 to 1975
*
List of Malayalam films from 1976 to 1980
*
List of Malayalam films from 1981 to 1985
References
External links
National Awards*
Tamil film directors
Malayalam film directors
1925 births
2020 deaths
Film directors from Kerala
Artists from Alappuzha
20th-century Indian film directors
Screenwriters from Kerala
Film producers from Kerala
Malayalam screenwriters
Malayalam film producers
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