Dileesh Pothan

Dileesh Pothan's first film as director, Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), starred Fahadh Faasil, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and earned him the Filmfare Award South for Best Director. Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017) took the same National Award. Joji (2021), released on Amazon Prime Video, was honoured at the Swedish International Film Festival. Born Dileesh Philip, the Malayalam filmmaker, actor and producer comes from Manjoor in Kottayam and studied theatre arts at postgraduate level before entering cinema. His start was behind the scenes: he assisted on the direction of 9 KK Road (2010), then worked as an associate to Aashiq Abu on several projects. His first proper turn before the camera was a single scene in Salt N' Pepper (2011), as a film director. Acting has since brought a run of supporting parts, among them Peter in Joseph (2018) and a retired DySP in Thalavan (2024). He was also a producer on Premalu (2024). Udumbanchola Vision is his current release, and he shares the lead with Vineeth in the thriller Bouma, which his distribution company Bhavana Release is bringing to theatres.