Antony Perumbavoor

Antony Perumbavoor
Antony Perumbavoor
	Antony Perumbavoor in 2021
Born	M. J. Antony; 25 May 1970 (age 54); Perumbavoor, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupations	Film producer; distributor; exhibitor; actor;
Years active	1987–present
Spouse	Santhy Antony
Children	2

Malekudy Joseph Antony, better known as Antony Perumbavoor is an Indian film producer, distributor, cinema exhibitor and actor, who works in Malayalam film industry. He began his career as a chauffeur to Mohanlal in 1987 and started appearing in brief roles in Malayalam films in 1990s. In 2000, he established the film production house Aashirvad Cinemas, which exclusively produces Mohanlal films. Antony owns the multiplex theatre chain Aashirvad Cineplexx and co-owns the film distribution company Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments. He is the president of Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK).

As a producer, he has received several awards, including two National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South among others.

Early life and family

M. J. Antony^[1] was born as the son of Joseph of the Malekudy house and Elamma. He hails from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, Kerala and studied in a government upper primary school in Iringole, Perumbavoor and MGM Higher Secondary School in Kuruppampady. Antony is married to Shanti and the couple have two children.^[2] He resides in Aimury, Perumbavoor.^[1]

Career

During the filming of Mohanlal-starrer Pattanapravesham in 1988, Antony joined the film crew as a temporary driver in the filming location, during which he worked as a chauffeur to Mohanlal in its 22 days long shooting schedule before departing back to his hometown. Later, when Antony was a spectator during the filming of Mohanlal's Moonnam Mura (1988) in Ambalamugal, Kerala, he was recognised by Mohanlal from the crowd and invited to join again as chauffeur. At some point later during this time, Mohanlal invited him to join as his permanent chauffeur, which he accepted.^[3]^[4]^[5]

In 2000, he established the film production company Aashirvad Cinemas, debuting with Mohanlal-starring action drama Narasimham, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film to that date. Until 2009, the films of Aarshirvad Cinemas were distributed by Swargachitra and later by Central Pictures. In 2009, Antony along with Mohanlal and industrialist K. C. Babu established the film distribution company Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, debuting with Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded.^[6]^[7]

In 2016, Antony established his first multiplex theater, Aashirvad Cineplexx in Perumbavoor and later opened its chain in other regions in the state.^[8] In 2017, Antony was elected the vice-president of the newly formed Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), an organisation comprising producers, distributors, and exhibitors in Malayalam film industry.^[9] Since July 2017, he is the president of FEUOK.^[10] in 2019, Aashirvad Cinemas opened office in Hong Kong under the name Feitian Aashirvad Cinemas.^[11]

Filmography

Acting credits

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
1984	Sandarbham	Nurse in Hospital - Gopalan
1991	Kilukkam	Driver Antony
1991	Uncle Bun	School bus driver
1992	Adhwaytham	Messenger
1992	Kamaladalam	Messenger
1993	Gandharvam	Thief in motorcycle
1994	Thenmavin Kombath	Festival committee member
	Minnaram	Man at Squash Club
	Pingami	Devasootty
1995	Thacholi Varghese Chekavar	Man at kalari
1996	Kaalapani	Mukundan's friend
1997	Varnapakittu	Man in the store
	Chandralekha	Company staff
	Iruvar	Man sitting near the body of Anandan during the funeral parade
1998	Harikrishnans	Antony
1998	Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu	Man in the shop
2007	Ali Bhai	Bus driver
2009	Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded	Thawb clad man	In the song "Sagar Alias Jackie"
2013	Drishyam	Constable Antony		^[12]
2016	Oppam	Boat passenger		^[12]
2016	Pulimurugan	Jeep driver		^[12]
2017	Velipadinte Pusthakam	Man at wedding	In the song "Mele Arimulla"
2017	Villain	SI Joy K.Thomas
2018	Aadhi	Himself
2018	Odiyan	Electricity officer
2019	Irupathiyonnaam Noottaandu	Antony Bavoor
	Lucifer	Mumbai Don	In the song "Raftaara"
	Ittymaani: Made in China	De-addiction centre attender
2021	Drishyam 2	SI Antony	In an investigation scene
2021	Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham	Shopkeeper
2022	Bro Daddy	SI Antony Joseph
2022	Aaraattu	Guest in Stage
2023	Neru	Neighbour