John Matthew Matthan

John Mathew Matthan is a renowned Indian filmmaker hailing from the southern state of Kerala. He is most prominently known for his impactful 1999 Bollywood film, “Sarfarosh,” which featured the stellar talents of Aamir Khan and Naseeruddin Shah.

Matthan’s journey in the world of cinema commenced as an assistant director on the epic movie “Gandhi,” directed by the legendary Sir Richard Attenborough. During his stint on “Gandhi,” Matthan also had the opportunity to collaborate with another notable filmmaker, Govind Nihlani. This collaboration paved the way for Matthan to assist Nihlani on several film projects. However, he later transitioned to directing advertisements, showcasing his versatility and proficiency in the world of visual storytelling.

In the early 1990s, Matthan embarked on a new venture by establishing his own production company, Cinematt Pictures Pvt Ltd, based in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. This company, which also involved Matthan’s brother George, marked its foray into feature filmmaking with the release of “Sarfarosh” in 1999. Notably, Matthan commenced work on “Sarfarosh” in 1992, investing seven years in research, pre-production, and production. The film was met with both critical acclaim and commercial success, earning four out of five stars from a Filmfare reviewer, who also lauded Matthan’s directorial prowess and the performances of the entire cast.

Following the triumph of “Sarfarosh,” Matthan initially began crafting a script centered around the issue of brain drain. However, the tragic events of 9/11 altered the relevance of the script, prompting Matthan to shift his focus to a different concept, which ultimately materialized into “Shikhar” in 2005. While “Shikhar” received critical acclaim, it faced challenges at the box office.

In 2007, Matthan embarked on his next cinematic endeavor, “A New Love Ishtory.” The film, written by Vipul K Rawal and featuring Himesh Reshammiya and Niharika Singh, was completed in 2009. However, its release was delayed until September 29, 2013, due to a dispute with Himesh Reshammiya and his record label, T-Series.

John Mathew Matthan’s cinematic journey has been marked by a dedication to creating impactful films that tackle diverse themes and genres. His directorial finesse and commitment to storytelling continue to leave a lasting impression on Indian cinema.