Director

Dileesh Pothan

Dileesh Pothan is a Kerala-born filmmaker who's basically become the golden boy of Malayalam cinema in less than a decade. Since making his directorial debut with Maheshinte Prathikaaram in 2016, he's been on an absolute roll—the film not only won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam but also landed him the Best Director Award at the Filmfare Awards South. Before stepping behind the camera as a director, Pothan paid his dues as an assistant director, working with Aashiq Abu on multiple projects. His second film, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, proved the first wasn't a fluke, snagging another National Film Award and proving he could consistently deliver both critical acclaim and commercial success. What makes Pothan's work stand out is his knack for blending everyday storytelling with sharp humor and genuine heart—his films feel lived-in rather than manufactured. He's carved out a unique space in Malayalam cinema by focusing on character-driven narratives that resonate beyond regional audiences. His collaborations with actor Fahadh Faasil have become iconic, creating some of the most talked-about moments in recent Malayalam films. His latest venture, Joji, released on Amazon Prime Video in 2021, took that winning formula to the OTT space and picked up the Best International Film Award at the Swedish International Film Festival, proving that Pothan's storytelling transcends boundaries and platforms.