Antony Perumbavoor is the best example of all time that no matter where you start, if you try sincerely, you can reach anywhere. Some may ridicule it, saying that it is just beliefs without scientific basis. But it cannot be said without saying it. How true it is to say that sometimes the missions that start at a good time can take us to unexpected heights, holding our hands. At least in the case of Antony Perumbavoor. Antony must have met Mohanlal for the first time in some sacred moment when God opened his eyes. From there, Antony’s career changed. And so did Malayalam cinema.
The year was 1988. The Perumbavoor resident, who had been sitting in the front row of the theater and watching Mohanlal’s films, unexpectedly got the opportunity to meet his idol in person and get close to him one day. While waiting for a taxi at the Perumbavoor taxi stand, Antony was overjoyed when he got the opportunity to run as a substitute for a driver on the set of the film Pattanapravesham. When he realized that he really had to run for Mohanlal, the second parrot also left the nest. Then it was a race without looking back or forward. A relationship that lasted only a few days. Antony was thrilled to be able to see his idol Lal sir up close for a few days. When he returned from work, he asked.
“If you see me anywhere from now on, will you recognize me?”
Mohanlal laughed in Lal style, saying, “What’s that question, Antony?” That laugh never left Antony’s mind. That same year, Antony went to see the shooting of the third generation in Kochi with his friends. When Lal waved to Antony, who was standing far away, Antony looked around, thinking that someone else was being called. When he realized that it was him, he ran over enthusiastically. When Lal asked Antony what he was doing here, that memory and care came to Antony’s mind. That day, Lal asked.
‘Can you drive my car for a few days?’
Antony couldn’t have been happier. Antony stayed with Lal until the shooting was over. Lal asked about the day of packing.
‘Will Antony go with me?’
Antony felt as if someone from beyond the realms of existence was inviting him. He didn’t have to think twice.
He just said, “I’ll come, sir.”
Antony drove the vehicle that day, and it was in Lal’s mind. Lal used to say that his wife Suchitra and Antony came into his life at about the same time. Both were lucky people. Not only did Lal not look back after they came in, but Mohanlal reached a paradise of achievements that no other actor in Malayalam could dream of.
From companion to actor…
Later, Antony also acted in very small roles in many films starring Mohanlal. He acted in Kilukkam as Antony. A young man comes to the house where Lal’s character lives and says, ‘Sir, those hoteliers are looking for you.’ That’s it. That film became a historical success. Then he acted as a school bus driver in the film Uncle Bun. Antony acted in small roles in many films like Ayitham, Kamaladalam, Pingami, Gandharvam, Thenmavil Kompath, Kalapani, Varnapakittu, Chandralekha, Harikrishnans, Iruvar, Aaju Kathayechukka, Aad, Drishyam, Pulimurugan, Odiyan, Lucifer, Bro Daddy, Ner… Most of these were big hits. Along with Lal’s popularity, star value, and acting ability, Antony’s presence was considered one of the factors behind the film’s success. It is not certain whether that is true or not, but it was a belief.
It was believed that if the first shot was taken on actor Janardhanan’s face, the film would be a big hit. There was a time when Dileep and Siddique Lal believed that films released on July 4 would bring them good luck and that their films, which were performed on Chingam Onn, would become megahits. The three films that changed Mohanlal’s career – Drishya, Pulimurugan and Lucifer – not only made him a pan-Indian star but also made him a global sensation. It was also due to the historic mission of a Malayalam film reaching the 200 crore club. All these projects were also Antony’s decisions. He had a decisive influence on matters including deciding the story and script. With that, Mohanlal firmly believed that Antony’s convictions were sound. Later, Antony’s words became valuable in any decision.
From driver to manager
Mohanlal used to be a little less skilled at calculating his remuneration. He was reluctant to say no to people. On the one hand, there are those who exploit him in the name of acquaintance and friendship by paying him much less than the actor who is constantly on the rise in the market. On the other hand, there are those who leave without paying the agreed remuneration. Those who cheat him by giving him a cheque. Lal is the one who lost crores in that way. Back then, Malayalam actors did not have managers like they do today.
When Antony first became a driver and then a manager, things turned upside down. No one could cheat Lal for a penny. Antony had the energy to take money without any compromise. That was backed by the permission given by the Vada tree named Lal Sir. Years later, Mohanlal himself said that when Antony came, I came to me, and when Antony came to me, he was saved.
Mohanlal often openly said that he was not a good fit for business and that he did not have the talent to manage such things. But Mohanlal succeeded in recognizing and utilizing Antony’s talents. Loyalty was the greatest quality that Mohanlal saw in Antony. With Antony’s intervention, Mohanlal grew financially more prosperous. He started getting paid regularly for the films he acted in. Aashirvad Cinemas, led by Antony and Lal, started producing more films. But Antony did not think that many positive things were happening in Lal sir’s life because of any of his smartness.
Relationship without books
Antony’s entire life was Lal sir. They never talked to each other. They didn’t keep accounts. Antony’s only agenda was the good of Mohanlal. The moment he felt that a selfless soul was dwelling in Antony, Mohanlal took a decisive decision. He closed his old banner, Pranavam Arts, and started a production company under Antony’s ownership. He named it Aashirvad Cinemas. Narasimham was the first film released in that partnership. The film broke all the collection records that existed at that time. The film, which was made for 1 crore 10 lakhs, collected 22 crores 25 years ago. More than twenty times.
The subsequent triumphal journey was such that anyone would think that if Antony touched it, it would turn into gold. Ravanaprabhu, Natturajavu, Naran, Rasathantra, Aadha Chinthavishyam, China Town, Spirit, Drishyam, Eenka Aampaam, Aadhaar, Lucifer, Drishyam 2, Bro Daddy, Twelfthman, Ner, most of the films born from this partnership became blockbusters. Even then, one reality remained. Sometimes, even Antony’s calculations went wrong. When the films did poorly, there were failures. None of this affected Antony’s growth in the slightest. The graph of achievements was ten times higher than the failures. When many people ignored the sight of foreign films earning crores from Kerala, it made Antony sit up and think. He thought, why can’t we also make a film with global subjects and release it globally to increase our business potential? While established filmmakers dismissed it as a beautiful dream that never came true, he ensured that his visions would yield results with Lucifer. Later, Antony became one of the undisputed names in the Malayalam film production, distribution and exhibition sector.
Support provided by Lalsar
Even when he rose to the level of being the producer of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema, Antony stood behind Mohanlal with a natural smile. He huddled like a shadow. He prepared a protective shield for Lal with his own hands so that he would not be pushed by the crowd in crowded places. He himself drove Lal’s car during long journeys. He still has no pride in calling himself Lal sir’s driver. It was Lal sir’s mind that brought me to a place I could not even imagine. Antony’s testimony is that I am indebted to those good deeds.
The heights that Antony has reached today are unimaginable. Starting as a producer, he has worked in Aashirvad multiplex theater complexes, passed through the distribution company Max Lab, and has expanded into many limitless ventures. He is a producer who has won two National Awards, four State Awards, and a Filmfare Award. He is the president of FIOC, an organization formed by producers, distributors, and theater owners. Today, Aashirvad Cinemas has offices in Hong Kong and other places.
Antony is the best example of all time that one can reach heights beyond dreams from the height of limitations. Born as the son of Joseph and Elamma in the Malekkudi house in Perumbavoor, Antony was not allowed to go beyond school education. Antony, who took up the profession of a taxi driver for a living, was his impeccable sincerity and honesty along with meticulous driving. The only quality that made Antony so close to Mohanlal was his trustworthiness.
Those close to Antony would deny that it took the great actor Mohanlal to find the great businessman hidden within him. The truth is that the two are complementary. Lal was such a great necessity for Antony and Antony was so indispensable to Lal. Even when Lal said that we have done so many films together, Antony should do a film with someone else, Antony smiled gently.
Antony shocked Lal by saying, “I can’t think of any other film except with Lal sir.”
Antony’s response to journalists who asked about his role as the CEO of Aashirvad Cinemas, the biggest banner in Malayalam, is also noteworthy.
‘It’s not right to say I am. Lalsar brought me here’
How many people can give an answer like this? That’s where Antony stands out. Lal saw a man of quality in Antony. Not just once, but on many occasions. It wasn’t just a conspiracy for career gains. It was a time when Mohanlal’s father Viswanathan Nair was ill. One day Antony approached Lal and said.
“Sir, we don’t know how long our father will live. So this time we should celebrate his birthday in a grand manner.”
‘That doesn’t require a lot of preparation, Antony. Will you have time for that?’
‘Sir, you don’t need to know anything. Just give me permission. I’ll do the rest.’
Antony, from the position of a brother, did everything including printing the invitations, inviting people, setting up the tent, arranging food, etc. The ceremony was very beautiful. Antony is a combination of many such elements. In an interview conducted by this writer with Mohanlal, when asked how Antony came to drive, Lal replied: ‘He has the quality for that. Many people have come to drive my car. None of them have become Antony Perumbavoor. They would say purity of soul. Antony has more than enough of that.’
Unborn brother
Antony stays awake every night with an ever-vigilant mind, ensuring that Lal doesn’t get even a scratch in the crowd. Such is Antony’s committed approach.
Antony will say that Suchi Chechi is sending Lal sir with him because she trusts him. Antony is neither a producer nor a driver in that house. He is Mohanlal’s unborn brother. The relationship between Antony and Lal will remind us that karmic ties are greater than blood ties.
Lal and Suchitra performed the rituals from the place of origin at the wedding ceremonies of Antony’s children. Each member of that family has a deep bond with Antony that cannot be explained or defined in words. One May Day, some scoundrel posted a picture of Antony on FB. ‘The first worker in the world who made crores by making the boss work’. All this is the cruel entertainment of those who do not know the relevance of a film producer in the production of a film. A producer like Antony is not just someone who invests money.
He is actively involved in every stage of the film, from choosing the story to casting. He also has a clear understanding of the marketing of the film. Apart from production and distribution, Antony is also responsible for running the theaters. Behind the great successes of Aashirvad Cinemas, there are huge contributions from producer Antony Perumbavoor.
Antony once said publicly, “I have not yet paid Lalsar’s salary in the movie Kunjali Marakkhar.” Many people expressed doubts. Who is the capitalist and who is the worker in this? If true socialism and communism become a reality when these boundaries are lost, then the only place where that happens is Aashirvad Cinemas.
A partnership between two people who do not place any limits or conditions on each other. There is a warmth of friendship and brotherhood rather than a capitalist-worker relationship.
Antony once said, ‘I still call him Lal Sir, just like I did when I first started calling him. But in my mind, he is my elder brother.’ This is not a fancy word. It is a heartfelt and sincere thing to say. It is when Mohanlal and Antony are expressed in action, not in words, that the feeling arises that they are not two, but one.
Antony is not a person. He is a symbol. Antony’s life deeply convinces every Malayali that loyalty and commitment always have value.