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]
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