Thrissur: Antony Eastman, who was revered as a multi-faceted figure in the film industry, died here on Saturday following cardiac arrest. He was 74 years old.
Eastman had ventured into filmmaking as a still photographer, and later made significant contributions as a director, producer and screenwriter. Eastman is credited with introducing popular star Silk Smitha, music director Johnson Master, and screenwriters Kaloor Dennis and John Paul.
His first directorial project was “Inaye Thedi” (1979), and it was also the first work for Smitha and Kalashala Babu as actors and Paul as screenwriter.
Eastman originally planned to cast the National Sobha Prize winner in this film. However, he had to explore alternative options after Sobha’s death.
Financial considerations forced him to rely on beginning artists. He wanted Devarajan Master to be the musical director of the title song of his film. However, Devarajan had a tight schedule by then and Eastman decided to choose Johnson Master for the job.
He had made six films, including ‘Mridula’, ‘Ice Cream’, ‘Vayal’ and ‘Varnatheru’. His last film was “Ambada Njane”.
He worked as a still photographer for 13 films from PA Backer’s “Manimuzhakkam”, wrote stories for nine films and wrote a screenplay for one film. He had also acted in a movie.
Filmmaker Sathyan Anthikkad recalled Eastman as a committed and remarkable still photographer in the early years, and he was ready to capture the shots for all kinds of artistic functions and events.
“In fact, when I decided to run away with my lover Nimmy and have our wedding ‘underground’ in Chottanikkara, Eastman volunteered to take our wedding photos. He was a very helpful person to everyone he knew, Anthikkad said.
“Eastman was always overflowing with the desire to do something new and had the energy to make it happen. Two more weeks ago, when we spoke, he was saying we had to do something. He had found the time to write a novel in his early days while working as a very busy photographer. He had written another novel two years ago based on the rather unknown period in the life of Jesus Christ, ”said Paul.
Antony was born in Chowannur near Kunnamkulam in 1946 and had started his “Eastman Studio” in Ernakulum in the mid-1960s, which gave him his affectionate name “Antony Eastman”.
He had moved into his son’s house in Thumboor near Mala about 10 years ago. He was actively associated with organizations like “Gramika” in Kuzhikattussery near Mala.
He leaves behind his wife Mary, his son Ganji and his daughter Mini.
Eastman had ventured into filmmaking as a still photographer, and later made significant contributions as a director, producer and screenwriter. Eastman is credited with introducing popular star Silk Smitha, music director Johnson Master, and screenwriters Kaloor Dennis and John Paul.
His first directorial project was “Inaye Thedi” (1979), and it was also the first work for Smitha and Kalashala Babu as actors and Paul as screenwriter.
Eastman originally planned to cast the National Sobha Prize winner in this film. However, he had to explore alternative options after Sobha’s death.
Financial considerations forced him to rely on beginning artists. He wanted Devarajan Master to be the musical director of the title song of his film. However, Devarajan had a tight schedule by then and Eastman decided to choose Johnson Master for the job.
He had made six films, including ‘Mridula’, ‘Ice Cream’, ‘Vayal’ and ‘Varnatheru’. His last film was “Ambada Njane”.
He worked as a still photographer for 13 films from PA Backer’s “Manimuzhakkam”, wrote stories for nine films and wrote a screenplay for one film. He had also acted in a movie.
Filmmaker Sathyan Anthikkad recalled Eastman as a committed and remarkable still photographer in the early years, and he was ready to capture the shots for all kinds of artistic functions and events.
“In fact, when I decided to run away with my lover Nimmy and have our wedding ‘underground’ in Chottanikkara, Eastman volunteered to take our wedding photos. He was a very helpful person to everyone he knew, Anthikkad said.
“Eastman was always overflowing with the desire to do something new and had the energy to make it happen. Two more weeks ago, when we spoke, he was saying we had to do something. He had found the time to write a novel in his early days while working as a very busy photographer. He had written another novel two years ago based on the rather unknown period in the life of Jesus Christ, ”said Paul.
Antony was born in Chowannur near Kunnamkulam in 1946 and had started his “Eastman Studio” in Ernakulum in the mid-1960s, which gave him his affectionate name “Antony Eastman”.
He had moved into his son’s house in Thumboor near Mala about 10 years ago. He was actively associated with organizations like “Gramika” in Kuzhikattussery near Mala.
He leaves behind his wife Mary, his son Ganji and his daughter Mini.
