Antony Perumbavoor


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 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. He resides in Aimury, Perumbavoor.

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

Filmography

Acting credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1991KilukkamDriver Antony
1991Uncle BunSchool bus driver
1992AdhwaythamMessenger
1992KamaladalamMessenger
1993GandharvamThief on motorcycle
1994Thenmavin KombathFestival committee member
1994MinnaramMan at Squash Club
1994PingamiDevasootty
1995Thacholi Varghese ChekavarCollege student
1996KaalapaniMukundan's friend
1997VarnapakittuMan in the store
1997ChandralekhaCompany staff
1997IruvarMan sitting near the body of Anandan during the funeral paradeTamil film; cameo appearance
1998KanmadamPolice constable
1998HarikrishnansAntony
1998Ayal Kadha EzhuthukayanuMan in the shop
2007Ali BhaiBus driver
2009Sagar Alias Jacky ReloadedThawb clad man
2013DrishyamConstable Antony
2016OppamBoat passenger
2016PulimuruganJeep driver
2017Velipadinte PusthakamMan at wedding
2017VillainSI Joy K. Thomas
2018AadhiHimselfCameo appearance
2018OdiyanKSEB employeeCameo appearance
2019Irupathiyonnaam NoottaanduAntony Bavoor
2019LuciferDaniel RowtherCameo appearance
2019Ittymaani: Made in ChinaDe-addiction centre attender
2021Drishyam 2SI Antony
2021Marakkar: Arabikadalinte SimhamShopkeeper
2022Bro DaddySI Antony Joseph
2022AaraattuHimselfCameo appearance
2023NeruMohammed's neighbour
2024Barroz 3DIntelligence officer
2025L2 EmpuraanDaniel RowtherCameo appearance

Accolades

;National Film Awards
;Kerala State Film Awards
;Filmfare Awards South
;South Indian International Movie Awards
;Asianet Film Awards
;Jaihind TV Awards
;Kairali TV – World Malayali Council Film Award