{{Short description|Indian film director (1940)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = P. Venu | image = Director P. Venu.jpg | caption = | birth_name = Pattathil Venugopala Menon | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|11|8}} | birth_place = Purannatukara, [[Thrissur]], [[Kingdom of Cochin]], [[British India]] | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2011|5|25|1940|11|8}} | death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India | other_names = Venu, Udhyogastha Venu | occupation = {{Flatlist| * Film director * producer * screenwriter * lyricist }}<ref name="auto">{{Cite book |title= Udyogastha Muthal |language= Malayalam |author= Venu |publisher= Kairali Books India |date= 2010 |location= [[Kannur]] |isbn= 978-93-80696-43-0}}</ref> | notable_works = {{unbulleted list | {{nowrap|''[[Udhyogastha]]''}} | ''[[Virunnukari]]'' | ''[[Veettu Mrugam]]'' | ''[[Viruthan Shanku]]'' | ''[[C.I.D. Nazir]]'' | ''[[Taxi Car]]'' | ''[[Prethangalude Thazhvara]]'' | ''[[Ariyappedatha Rahasyam]]'' | ''[[Parinamam]]'' (''The Change'') }}<ref name="auto"/> | years_active = 1967–2011 | spouse = Sasekala<ref name="auto"/>(1972-2011) | children = Vijay Menon, Sridevi Menon<ref name="auto"/> | awards = Kala Prathiba ([[Kerala Film Critics Association]]) 2005<ref name="auto"/> }}
'''P. Venu''' (8 November 1940 – 25 May 2011) was an Indian [[film director]], [[Film producer|producer]], [[screenwriter]], and [[lyricist]] with over 20 films to his name. His work in [[Malayalam cinema]] was significant and most influential, covering all themes and genres over a career spanning more than 40 years. His most recognized film C.I.D. Nazir, in 1971, revolutionized movie-making in the investigative genre in Malayalam cinema. Following this film's commercial and critical success, he came up with two more in the series - Taxi Car in 1972 and Prethangalude Thazhvara in 1973, as the first investigative sequels in Malayalam cinema.<ref name="auto"/> His last film, Parinamam (The Change), released in 2003, won an honour for the Malayalam cinema on the global stage by winning the Best Screenplay Award at the Ashdod International Film Festival in Israel. In 2005, he was bestowed the Kala Prathiba (Icon of Creative Arts) by the Kerala Film Critics Association for his contribution to the Malayalam cinema. He was also an active member of MACTA (Malayalam Cine Technicians Association). He published his book titled Udyogastha Muthal (meaning ‘Udyogastha Onwards’) in 2010, reminiscing his life as a filmmaker and his experiences in the film industry.<ref name="auto"/>
==Early life==
Early life Venu was born in Purannatukara, Thrissur district, Kerala, he was the son of Madhava Kurup and Amminiamma.<ref name="auto"/> His fascination and passion for filmmaking led him to Merryland Studio, Trivandrum, Kerala, where he worked as an assistant director for a few years before making his directorial debut Udhyogastha in 1967.<ref name="auto"/>
==Personal life==
In 1972, Venu married Sasekala from Parithipulli in Palakkad district, Kerala. Their son Vijay Menon is a writer, filmmaker, and founder of THE, a branding and design agency based in Chennai. Their daughter Sridevi was a professor at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai,<ref name="auto"/> presently settled with her husband in Canada.
[[File:Making of Udhyogastha IMG 2269.jpg|thumb|P. Venu, during the making of Udhyogastha.]]<ref name="auto"/>
==Career==
Venu made his debut as a filmmaker with Udhyogastha in 1967, the first multi-superstar cast Malayalam film starring Prem Nazir, Satyan, Madhu, K. P. Ummer, Sharada and Vijaya Nirmala. It was also the debut film of the National award winner Shoba as a child artist. She was named 'Baby Shoba' by Venu. He followed this commercial success with family dramas Virunnukari and Veettu Mrugam, both in 1969.<ref name="auto"/> His versatility was widely acclaimed when he directed the first full-length comedy Viruthan Shanku in 1968, starring the legendary comedian Adoor Bhasi. His works covered different themes and genres, earning him much regard as one of the veteran film directors of south India. He revolutionized Malayalam movie-making in the investigative genre in 1971 with C.I.D. Nazir, followed by Taxi Car in 1972 and Prethangalude Thazhvara in 1973. The first-ever investigative sequel made in Malayalam cinema history. His collaboration with the then superstar action hero Jayan created the iconic action scene in Ariyappedatha Rahasyam in 1981. Apart from a strong storyline, action, and drama, his movies were also famous for songs.<ref name="auto"/> Few of the compositions like Anuraga Ganam Pole (Udhyogastha), Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha (Udhyogastha), Ninmamiarayile (CID Nazir), Neela Nishidhini (C.I.D. Nazir), Malayala Bashathan (Prethangalude Thazhvazha) have become evergreen hits of Malayalam cinema. Music in his movies was composed by legendary music directors like M.S. Baburaj (Baburaj), G. Devarajan, K. Raghavan, R. K. Shekhar, M. K. Arjunan, Raveendran and Johnson. He worked with the leading actors, musicians, cinematographers, production houses for over four decades. He also debuted the careers of many of today's top film and entertainment personalities in the industry.<ref name="auto"/>
==Parinamam (The Change)==
[[File:Parinamam (The Change).jpg|thumb|Parinamam (The Change) 2003.]]<ref name="auto"/>
Parinamam (The Change), an NFDC film released in 2003 directed by Venu, tackles the age-old issue of loneliness and redundancy among the aged. Balakrishna Marar played by Madampu Kunjukuttan, faces callous treatment from his family after his retirement.<ref name="auto"/> Parallel to his story is that of the mentally disturbed and lonely former judge Damodaran Nambeeshan played by Nedumudi Venu, who goes to Kashi searching for peace. There are five other senior citizens whose problems form the basis of the film. The story revolves around the lives of these characters, who lose everything they hold dear, feel rejected, and develop a feeling of being a burden on their respective families and society.<ref name="auto"/> In 2003, the film was screened at the Malayalam Film Festival, Dubai, Chennai International Film Festival, and the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India. The film won a selection at Cannes 2004. In 2005, the film won the award for Best Screenplay at the Ashdod International Film Festival held in Israel.<ref name="auto"/>
==Filmography== <ref name="auto"/> *[[Udhyogastha]] - 1967 *[[Viruthan Shanku]] - 1968 *[[Virunnukari]] - 1969 *[[Veettu Mrugam]] - 1969 *[[Detective 909 Keralathil]] - 1970 *[[C.I.D. Nazir]] - 1971 *[[Taxi Car]] - 1972 *[[Prethangalude Thazhvara]] - 1973 *Boy Friend - 1975 *Cherupakkar Sukshikuga - 1976 *[[Raathriyile Yaathrakkaar]] - 1976 *[[Aalmaaraattam]] - 1978 *Amrutha Chumbanam - 1979 *Avalude Prathikaram - 1979 *Ward No.7 - 1979 *[[Pichathikuttappan]] - 1979 *[[Ariyappedatha Rahasyam]] - 1981 *[[Aranjaanam]] - 1982 *Thacholi Thankappan - 1984 *Shesham Screenil - 1990 *Parassala Pachan Payyannur Paramu - 1999 *[[Parinamam]] (The Change) - 2003<ref name="auto"/>
==Published==
* {{Cite book |title= Udyogastha Muthal |language= Malayalam |author= Venu |publisher= Kairali Books India |year= 2010 |location= [[Kannur]] |isbn= 978-93-80696-43-0}}
==References== {{Reflist}} * {{cite web |title = Honour for Malayalam film |date = 2005-05-13 |url = http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/05/13/stories/2005051302250200.htm|work = [[The Hindu]] |access-date = 2005-05-13}} * {{cite web |title = CANNES Product Guide 2004 |publisher = thebusinessoffilm |date = 2004-05-01 |url = http://www.thebusinessoffilm.com/magazine_editions/Cannes2004_ProductGuide.pdf |access-date = 2004-05-01 |archive-date = 4 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035808/http://www.thebusinessoffilm.com/magazine_editions/Cannes2004_ProductGuide.pdf |url-status = dead }} * {{cite web |title = Inauguration of Film Festival commemorating the Centenary year of Indian Cinema |publisher = Embassy of India, Budapest, Hungary |url = http://www.indianembassy.hu/?p=8577 |access-date = 21 June 2014 |archive-date = 18 July 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140718031057/http://www.indianembassy.hu/?p=8577 |url-status = dead }} * {{cite web |title = Ashdod international film festival |website = [[Sify]] |date = 2005-04-29 |url = https://www.google.ca/#q=ashdod+international+film+festival |access-date =2005-04-29}} * {{cite web |title = International Festival, Sarajevo Winter 2014 |publisher = Sarajevo2014 |url = http://sarajevo2014.com/en/news/international-festival-sarajevo-winter-celebrated-its-30th-birthday/31 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117071027/http://sarajevo2014.com/en/news/international-festival-sarajevo-winter-celebrated-its-30th-birthday/31 |archive-date = 17 November 2015 |df = dmy-all }}
==External links== * {{cite web |title = Indian film festival - Budapest |publisher = Rollinginbudapest |date = 2014-02-08 |url = http://rollinginbudapest.com/2014/02/08/incredible-india-incredible-indian-films-in-budapest-february-2014/ |access-date = 2014-02-08}} * {{cite web |title = Malayalam film wins award at Israel fest |website = [[Sify]] |date = 2005-04-30 |url = http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-film-wins-award-at-israel-fest-news-malayalam-kkfv5gbbfhjsi.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170703141041/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-film-wins-award-at-israel-fest-news-malayalam-kkfv5gbbfhjsi.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 3 July 2017 |access-date = 2005-04-30}} * {{cite web |title = The Week of Indian Film, ''Parinamam'' |publisher = SarajevskaZima.ba |date = 2014-03-18 |url = http://sarajevskazima.ba/en/the-week-of-indian-film-parinamam-malayalam-2003-director-venu/ |access-date = 2014-03-18 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140918202612/http://sarajevskazima.ba/en/the-week-of-indian-film-parinamam-malayalam-2003-director-venu/ |archive-date = 18 September 2014 |df = dmy-all }}
==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |title= Udyogastha Muthal |language= Malayalam |author= Venu |publisher= Kairali Books India |year= 2010 |location= [[Kannur]] |isbn= 978-93-80696-43-0}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Venu, P.}} [[Category:Malayali people]] [[Category:1940 births]] [[Category:2011 deaths]] [[Category:Malayalam screenwriters]] [[Category:Film directors from Thrissur]] [[Category:Malayalam film directors]] [[Category:Telugu film directors]] [[Category:Tamil film directors]] [[Category:Odia film directors]] [[Category:Hindi-language film directors]] [[Category:Writers from Thrissur]] [[Category:Indian documentary filmmakers]] [[Category:21st-century Indian people]] [[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]] [[Category:Film producers from Thrissur]] [[Category:Malayalam film producers]] [[Category:Screenwriters from Kerala]]