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

Bio/Wiki
Full name	Kulakkattil Geevarghese George [1]The Indian Express
Profession	Filmmaker
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 173 cm in meters- 1.73 m in feet & inches- 5’ 8”
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Grey
Career
Debut	Film: Swapnadanam (1975)
Last Film	Elavamkodu Desam (1998)
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 • 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
Personal Life
Date of Birth	24 May 1946 (Friday)
Birthplace	Thiruvalla, Travancore, British India (now Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India)
Date of Death	24 September 2023
Place of Death	Kakkanad, Kerala
Age (at the time of death)	77 Years
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Pathanamthitta, Kerala
College/University	• Kerala University • Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Maharashtra
Educational Qualification(s)	• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kerala University (1967) • Diploma in Film Direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Maharashtra
Controversy	Legal Troubles and Harassment: In 2003, some financiers filed a cheque fraud case against KG George, leading to his arrest on April 17. However, he was released from jail the following day. According to George, he was falsely accused in the case by the financiers who aimed to extort nearly Rs8 lakh from him. Later, in a press conference, George revealed that he had been harassed by a businessman from Abu Dhabi named Francis Cleetus. Francis had invested in the 1998 film 'Elavangodu Desam,' which had failed to perform well at the box office. George added that he had initiated a legal action for harassment against Cleetus in the Thiruvananthapuram court. [2]The Times of India
Relationships & More
Marital Status (at the time of death)	Married
Marriage Date	7 February 1977
Family
Wife/Spouse	Selma George (singer)
Children	Son- Arun George (actor) Daughter- Tara George (Dubai-based flight purser)
Parents	Father- Kulakkattil Geevarghese Samuel Mother- Annamma Samuel

Some Lesser Known Facts About K. G. George

• K. G. George was an Indian filmmaker known for his work in the Malayalam film industry. He is the recipient of the highest award in Malayalam cinema ‘J. C. Daniel Award.’

• While studying in college, he used to work as a painter.

• He began his career as an assistant director for the Malayalam film ‘Maya’ (1972), where he assisted the popular filmmaker Ramu Kariat.

• In 1974, he wrote the screenplay for the Malayalam film ‘Nellu.’ He also worked as an associate director for the film.
  

  Poster of the film ‘Nellu’

• His directorial debut film, ‘Swapnadanam’ (1975), proved to be a commercial success and also received critical acclamation after which George became a prominent figure in the New Indian Cinema Movement of the early 1970s.

• In the 1980s, he was honoured with the label of ‘via media director,’ along with the filmmakers Padmarajan, Bharathan, and Mohan.

• He directed and wrote the screenplay and dialogue for the Malayam film ‘Iniyaval Urangatte’ in 1978.

• In 1982, he worked as a director, story writer, and screenplay writer for the detective thriller film ‘Yavanika’ (1982). He used the technique of cinema within cinema to make the film.

• George wrote and directed the Malayalam film ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’ (1983). The film was loosely based on the suicide of the Indian actress Shobha, who committed suicide at the age of 17. Initially, the film received criticism from some critics and the audience. However, it was highly appreciated after its release.
  

  Poster of the film ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’

• In 1984, he directed and wrote the screenplay for the satirical comedy film ‘Panchavadi Palam.’ The film was based on a short story written by the popular Indian satirist Veloor Krishnankutty. The film was the first film in the Malayalam film industry to satirize the political scenario of Kerala state.
  

  Poster of the film ‘Panchavadi Palam’

• In the same year, he acted in the Malayalam film ‘Adaminte Vaariyellu’ (1984).

• He worked as a director, story writer, screenplay writer, and dialogue writer for the film ‘Irakal’ in 1985. The film was based on the theme of the psychology of violence.

• In addition to direction and writing, he also tried his hand at film production. In 1992, he produced the Malayalam film ‘Mahanagaram.’

• He worked as a director and screenplay writer for various films including ‘Vyaamoham’ (1978), ‘Ulkkadal’ (1979), ‘Kolangal’ (1981), ‘Adaminte Vaariyellu’ (1984), ‘Yaathrayude Anthyam’ (1989), and ‘Ee Kanni Koodi’ (1990).
  

  K. G. George during the shooting of a film

• K. G. George appeared as a doctor in the films ‘Pranayavarnangal’ (1998) and ‘Five Fingers’ (2005).
  

  K. G. George in a still from the film ‘Pranayavarnangal’

• In 2009, he played a supporting role in the Malayalam film ‘Currency.’

• The filmmaker published his memoir titled ‘Flashback Enteyum Cinemayudeyum’ in 2012.

• In 2018, a documentary film titled ‘8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K.G. George’ was made, based on the life and career of K.G. George.
  

  Poster of the documentary film ‘8½ Intercuts Life and Films of K.G. George’

• Among all, seven of his films have been presented at various national and international film festivals.

• He had founded the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and had served as its chairman.

• He had been the chairman of the government organisation ‘Kerala State Film Development Corporation.’

• In an interview, his wife Selma shared their marriage story. She said that they initially met in Chennai during her struggling days. She said that she approached George upon her mother’s advice, seeking a chance to sing in one of his films. She further said that on their second meeting, George asked Selma’s mother for her (Selma’s) hand in marriage. ^[3]Onmanorama

• In another interview, his wife revealed that she initially wasn’t willing to marry him when he made a marriage proposal for her in front of her mother, but her elder brother arranged their marriage. She further expressed her dissatisfaction with their marriage and said that George was constantly preoccupied with work, leaving her to manage the household alone. Selma revealed that his habit of getting angry with her and ignoring her for months during the early years of their marriage had a significant impact on her. She admitted that she had thought about divorcing several times, but her financial dependence prevented her from taking that step. ^[4]The New Indian Express

• In 2021, rumours about George being abandoned by his family were circulated. Reportedly, the filmmaker was abandoned at an old age home following a stroke he faced in 2018. However, his wife refuted the claims by providing clarification in an interview. She 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.” ^[5]Onmanorama

• The filmmaker passed away on 24 September 2023 at an old age home located in Kakkanad, Kerala. He had been residing there for the past five years and had been receiving treatment for a stroke for a long time.