Veteran Malayalam film producer and distributor NG John, popularly known as Geo Kuttappan, passed away in Kochi on Wednesday. He was 90. He suffered a heart attack while his family was preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday. He died at Ernakulam Medical Centre at around 1.30 am.
John was among the prominent figures associated with the formative years and golden period of Malayalam cinema. The son of NX George, one of the early distributors in the industry, he entered the film business when Malayalam cinema was still largely centred in Madras. He witnessed and contributed to the industry's transition from its early years to the establishment of a more organised production and distribution system in Kerala.
He produced several films under the banner of Geo Movie Productions, with a significant part of his filmography comprising collaborations with director IV Sasi and screenwriter T Damodaran. His productions with the duo included Iniyum Puzhayozhukum, Ezhamkadalinakkare, Meen, Innalenkil Nale, Ee Nadu, Iniyenkilum and Ithrayum Kaalam.
Among his other notable productions were J Sasikumar's Mini Mol, M Krishnan Nair's Rajaneegandhi, Bhadran's Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol and Mani Ratnam's only Malayalam film Unaroo, headlined by Mohanlal and Sukumaran.
John was also an important figure in the film trade and industry bodies during the period. He was associated with the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce from its early years and served as president of the Kerala Film Chamber for six years.
His production Ee Nadu, starring Mammootty and Ratheesh, was among the significant political films of the period. The film ran for 125 days and won the Kerala State Award for Best Popular Film. Its impact extended beyond Malayalam cinema, with remakes made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. When veteran actor Kamal Haasan listed the 60 films that had influenced his career on turning 60, Ee Nadu featured among them.
John documented his long association with Malayalam cinema in his 2012 book Cinemayum Njanum - 70 Varshangal, published by DC Books. The memoir traces his seven decades in film production and distribution, covering the transition from silent cinema to talkies and the eventual shift of Malayalam cinema's centre from Madras to Kerala.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at Mary Queen's Church Cemetery, Edappally, Kochi. The FEFKA Directors' Union has also condoled his death.