Director TV Chandran receives JC Daniel Award, 2022

Director TV Chandran has been honoured with the prestigious JC Daniel Award, 2022, for his outstanding contributions to the Malayalam film industry. Minister for Culture, Saji Cherian, made the announcement through a press release. The JC Daniel Award, bestowed by the Kerala government, is the highest recognition in the field of cinema in the state. It includes a cash prize of five lakh rupees, a citation, and a sculpture. TV Chandran becomes the 30th recipient of this esteemed award.

The jury, chaired by director KP Kumaran, and comprising actor and writer VK Sreeraman, actor and director Revathi, and film academy secretary C Ajoy as member secretary, unanimously selected TV Chandran as this year's awardee.

The jury lauded TV Chandran as a visionary director who has significantly contributed to the growth of parallel cinema in the Malayalam film industry. 

Chadran’s remarkable journey in the film industry began as an actor in 1975 with the film 'Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol'. Over the past five decades, he has proved his mettle as a director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. His 15 Malayalam films and two Tamil films have received national and international acclaim, showcasing progressive political ideologies and strong feminist narratives for humanity, noted the jury.

With an illustrious career, TV Chandran has won seven national film awards and 10 state film awards, including the prestigious National Award for Best Director in 1993 (film: Ponthan Mada). Additionally, nine of his films have been selected for the Indian Panorama at IFFK. His film 'Alicinte Anweshananm’ earned a nomination for the Golden Leopard Award at the Locarno International Film Festival. Several of his films, such as Ponthanmada, Mangamma, Danny, Ormakal Undayirikkanam, Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam, Susanna, Kadhavaseshan, and Bhoomi Malayalam, have garnered recognition at both national and state levels.

Born on November 23, 1950, in Thalassery, Kannur, TV Chandran is the son of Murikoli Kannoth Narayanan Nambiar and Karthyayani Amma. He completed his primary education at Muzhappilangad Kadambur LP School. He pursued higher studies at Irinjalakuda Christ College and Kozhikode Farook College. After starting his professional career in a private financial institution in Bengaluru, he later secured a position at the Reserve Bank. However, his passion for filmmaking led him to create his first film, 'Krishnankutty,' in 1981. Subsequently, he ventured into Tamil cinema with the film 'Hemavin Kadhalargal.' He then received funding from the National Film Development Corporation to produce 'Alicinte Anweshananm.' Besides his remarkable filmography, TV Chandran has directed three documentaries, three short films, and a tele-series. He has also acted in three films. He is married to Revathi, and they have a son named Yadavan.