Malayalam film producer Century Raju Mathew who produced Mohanlal starrer ‘Thanmathra’
Century Raju Mathew (1937 – 2019) was a Malayalam film producer and distributor best known for producing National award winning film, Thanmathra released in 2005. He was active in the field of cinema till his death in 2019 and Fahadh Fasil starrer Athiran was his last movie as a film producer. He was the owner of Century Films, and hence known as Century Raju Mathew. He was the former president of Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, and owns 4-decades of experience in the field of cinema. He was 82 years old when he passed away in Kottayam.
Century Raju Mathew was born into a rich and influential Christian family in Kottayam as the son of Maliyekkal M. C. Mathew. Later he along with his siblings became a part of Malayalam cinema, by producing and distributing films. His brothers are M. M. Chandy, who owned National City Press, George Mathew (Central Pictures), M. M. Mathew (Finance Consultant), Joy Mathew and Thomas Mathew (Centor Films) and Ranji Mathew (Centenary Films).
As a film producer, Raju Mathew is best known for the movies – Mukti, Sandhyakk Virinja Poovu, Adiyozhukkukal, Adimakal Udamakal, Kelkkaatha Shabdam, Karyam Nissaram, Athirathram, Karimbin Poovinakkare, Alkoottathil Thaniye, Nadodikaatu, Thanmathra etc. He produced 45+ movies in total, which include several Mammootty and Mohanlal starrers since 1980s. He distributed films more than that. He passed away on 12th November 2019, and was survived by two children. His wife Lilly Mathew is not alive. He was suffering from age related ailments and passed away in a private hospital. His banner is to distribute Kunjaldo – Malayalam release.
Century Raju Mathew – Some interesting and less-known facts
He had an amzing hit combination with Mohanlal since mid-1980s, and ‘Thanmathra’ is one such film
1. His father was one of the founders of Travancore Forward Bank.
2. He was a banker turned film producer. He resigned his job as manager at LIC to become a film producer.
3. Kelkaatha Sabdam (1982) directed by Balachandra Menon was his first film as a producer under the banner, Century Films.
4. His production venture Thanmathra won National award for best regional film in Malayalam in 2006.
5. As a distributor he is best known for the film, Bahubali: The Beginning and Mersal in Malayalam.
6. His last outing – Athiran released a few months before his death was the 125th film under this banner.
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