S. P. Pillai
Ettumanoor Somadasan
Dennis Joseph

Dennis Joseph was an Indian scriptwriter and director known for his work in Malayalam films. He was active during the 1980s and early 1990s. He has frequently collaborated with directors Joshi and Thambi Kannanthanam. He's known for scripting films such as Nirakkoottu (1985), Rajavinte Makan (1986), Shyama (1986), New Delhi (1987), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990),m Akashadoothu (1993),Palayam (1994), and F.I.R (1999). Dennis Joseph has also directed five films, including Manu Uncle which won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film. And won the Kerala State film Award for the best children's Film in 1988.

Dennis Joseph started his career as a sub-editor in Cut Cut magazine. He made his debut into cinema in 1985, through Eeran Sandhya as a story writer followed by Nirakkoottu (screenplay) in 1985. Directed by Joshiy, Nirakkoottu had a strong cast line including Mammootty, Urvashi, Lizzy and Sumalatha. The film was a success, he wrote a series of films in the next couple of years. Dennis Joseph wrote the two breakthrough film of Mammootty and Mohanlal. Rajavinte Makan, loosely adapted over Rage of Angels, a novel by Sidney Sheldon got released in 1986. Directed by Thampi Kannanthanam, this film was a huge success at the box office. Appearing as Vincent Gomas, a crime boss, Mohanlal successfully mesmerised the moviegoers and the film raised his stardom. Similarly, after around two dozen huge flops, Mammootty was in his darkest days of his career in the period 1986–87, when Dennis Joseph scripted New Delhi. Directed by Joshiy, this film was also a loose adaptation of an English novel. Completely shot in and around Delhi, this film initially had no takers to buy it. Even theatre owners were not ready to release it. But it became a commercial success, thus becoming the comeback film of Mammootty.

Dennis Joseph was active throughout eighties and early nineties with several films of his becoming success. Joshiy directed most of his scripts in these years. T.S Suresh Babu was another director with whom, Dennis Joseph joined hands most frequently in those days.

Dennis Joseph passed away on 10th May 2021 at a private hospital (Carithas Hospital)in Kottayam following a heart attack.

V. D. Rajappan
Victor George