Dileesh Pothan

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Dileesh Pothan
Born (1980-02-19) 19 February 1980 (age 44)
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active2008–present
Organisation(s)Working Class Hero
Bhavana Studios
Known for
Spouse
Jimsy
(m. 2013)
Children2
Websitedileeshpothan.com

Dileesh Philip (born 19 February 1980), also known as Dileesh Pothan is an Indian film director, actor and producer, who works in Malayalam cinema.[1] He made his directorial debut with the 2016 comedy drama film Maheshinte Prathikaaram, starring Fahadh Faasil. The film received the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award at the 64th National Film Awards. Pothan also won the Best Director Award at the 64th Filmfare Awards South.[2][3]

Pothan began his career as an associate director to the 2010 film 9 KK Road. He served as an assistant director under Aashiq Abu, assisting in five of Aashiq's films. He made his acting debut as a film director in one scene in Aashiq Abu's 2011 film Salt N' Pepper. His second directional was Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), which was also a critical and commercial hit.[4] Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum won the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award as well at the 65th National Film Awards. His third and latest film Joji, also starring Fahadh Faasil, released to highly positive reviews on the OTT platform of Amazon Prime Video in April 2021.[5][6] Joji won the best International Film Award at the Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF 2021).[7]

Personal life[edit]

Pothan was born in Omalloor of Manjoor panchayat-village in northern Kottayam district, Kerala. He did his schooling at Emmanuel's High School, Kothanalloor. After pre-degree from Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam, he pursued a BSc degree at St. Philomena's College, Mysore. Due to his keen interest in drama and cinema, he followed up with an M.A. in Theatre Arts at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady and an M.Phil. in Theatre Arts from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Pothan married Jimsy in December 2012 at St. Thomas Church, Kuruppanthara. They have a daughter and a son.[8][9]

Film career[edit]

Pothan started his film career as an assistant director in the film 9 KK Road (2010). Later on he became an associate director to Aashiq Abu. He assisted Aashiq Abu in films like 22 Female Kottayam (2012), Da Thadiya (2012), and Gangster (2014).[10] He was the chief associate director in Dileesh Nair's 2014 film Tamaar Padaar.[11]

His first appearance in front of a movie camera was as a junior artist in the movie Chandranudikunna Dikkil (1999) directed by Lal Jose. Later his first proper role as an actor was in Salt N' Pepper. He has also acted in small roles mostly in Aashiq Abu's films, Salt N' Pepper (2011), 22 Female Kottayam (2012), Idukki Gold (2013), Gangster (2014), Iyobinte Pusthakam (2014), and Rani Padmini (2015). He has acted in several films since then.

Pothan ventured into film production by forming the film production company Working Class Hero in 2018, partnered by Syam Pushkaran. Their first movie was Kumbalangi Nights.[12]

Filmography[edit]

Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
  • All films are in Malayalam language unless otherwise noted.

As director[edit]

Year Title Production company
2016 Maheshinte Prathikaaram OPM Dream Mill Cinemas
2017 Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Urvasi Theatres Release
2021 Joji[13][14] Working Class Hero,
Fahadh Faasil and Friends,
Bhavana Studios

As producer[edit]

Year Film Director Cast Notes
2019 Kumbalangi Nights Madhu C. Narayanan Fahadh Faasil, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Shane Nigam, Anna Ben, Mathew Thomas Co-produced with Fahadh Faasil and Friends
2021 Joji Himself Fahadh Faasil, Baburaj, Unnimaya Prasad, Shammi Thilakan, Basil Joseph Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero[13][14]
2022 Palthu Janwar Sangeeth P. Rajan Basil Joseph, Johny Antony, Indrans Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero
2023 Thankam Saheed Arafath Vineeth Sreenivasan, Biju Menon, Aparna Balamurali, Girish Kulkarni Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero[15][16]
2024 Premalu Girish A.D. Naslen K Gafoor, Mamitha Baiju Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero[17]

As actor[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Salt N' Pepper Movie director
2012 22 Female Kottayam Advocate
2013 5 Sundarikal Security Segment: Kullante Bharya
Idukki Gold Employee at 'Mathrubhumi'
2014 Gangster DYSP Vithura Chengalath
Hangover Krishna Kumar
Tamaar Padaar Sibi Karimannur
Iyobinte Pusthakam Tea shop owner
2015 Chandrettan Evideya Naadi Jyothishi
Ennum Eppozhum Deepa's client's Son
Rani Padmini Ullas Menon
2016 Guppy Krishnan
Maheshinte Prathikaaram Eldho Also director
2017 Aby CI George
Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu George Cameo appearance
Comrade in America Hari
Role Models Gautam's boss
Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela Varkichan
Pullikkaran Staraa Kuriachan / "Stephen"
Tharangam God
Pokkiri Simon CI Alex
Honey Bee 2.5
2018 Carbon Thamban
Ee.Ma.Yau Vikariyachan
Rosapoo Kuttan
Kadha Paranja Kadha
Neerali Rajan
Ente Mezhuthiri Athazhangal Sony George
Padayottam Senan
Varathan Benny
Drama Dixon Lopez
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan Dr. P. Suresh Babu
Ladoo Suresh
Joseph Peter
Ente Ummante Peru Shivankutty
Ennalum Sarath Doctor
Samaksham
2019 Neeyum Njnanum
Lonappante Mamodeesa Kunjuoottan
Kumbalangi Nights Circle Inspector Raju Unni Cameo appearance
Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam Joy
Oru Yamandan Premakadha Abhilash Karikkan
Thottappan Jonappan
Virus Prakashan
Unda C. I. K. Mathukutty
Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal
Moothon Moosa Bilingual (Hindi, Malayalam)
Sidharthan Enna Njan
Thakkol
Kolaambi [18]
2020 Trance Avarachan
2021 Joji Dr. Roy
Malik P. A. Aboobacker
Djibouti Thomachan
2022 Bheeshmaparvam TV James
Pada Narayanankutty
Prakashan Parakkatte Prakashan
Shalamon
Kallan D’Souza Manoj
Palthu Janwar Priest
Kaapa Latheef [19]
2023 Christopher ADGP Abhilash Balakrishnan IPS [20]
O.Baby Othayathu Baby [21]
Garudan IGP Cyriac Joseph [22]
2024 Abraham Ozler Sudhakaran Payyarath / Dr. Alexander Joseph [23]
Manasa Vacha Dharavi Dinesh [24]

As associate director[edit]

Awards[edit]

Year Film Award Category Notes
2016 Maheshinte Prathikaaram 64th National Film Awards[25] Best Feature Film in Malayalam Shared with Aashiq Abu
47th Kerala State Film Awards[26] Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value Shared with Aashiq Abu
64th Filmfare Awards South[27] Best Director
Best Film – Malayalam
Padmarajan Award[28]
CPC Cine Awards[29] Best Director
North American Film Awards[30] Best Debut Director
Best Movie
Vanitha Film Awards[31] Best Movie Shared with Aashiq Abu
Asianet Film Awards Critic's Awards for Best Film
2017 Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum 65th National Film Awards[32] Best Feature Film in Malayalam Shared with Sandip Senan and Anish M. Thomas
International Film Festival of Kerala[33] NETPAC Award
65th Filmfare Awards South[34] Best Director
Best Film
7th South Indian International Movie Awards[35] Best Film
Movie Street Film Awards[36] Best Movie
CPC Cine Awards[37] Best Movie
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[38] Best Director
Vanitha Film Awards[39] Best Director
Asianet Film Awards[40] Best Film
Asiavision Awards[41] Best Film
North American Film Awards[42] Best Film
2021 Joji Kerala State Film Awards[43] Best Director

Filmmaking style[edit]

Pothan's filmmaking style―flirting with molecule level details, imbuing vibrance; one of its kind and stamping touches of sensationalism, is from the KG George school[citation needed]. But Pothan is also singularly distinctive in his approach, which is a delectable medley of native roots (classy old-school) and modern kerala[citation needed]. In Maheshinte Prathikaram, Pothan charts a butterfly effect idiom through remarkable attention for detail and sensational film language, using every medium―song, sky, rain, space, place and drama with consummated precision.[44]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nair, Sree Prasad (20 February 2018). "Cinema Paradiso Awards 2018: Fahadh Faasil, Parvathy win 'best actor' trophies, legendary filmmaker KG George honored with 'special award'". CatchNews. catchnews.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018. Versatile actor Fahadh Faasil bags the best actor award for portraying the titular role of a thief, Prasad in Dileesh Pothan's Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum.
  2. ^ V.P, Nicy (20 August 2014). "Fahadh to Play Photographer in 'Maheshinte Prathikaram'". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  3. ^ Karthikeyan, Shruti. "Anusree is a nurse in Maheshinte Prathikaram - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. ^ "'Driksakshiyum' scores big at multiplexes". The News Minute. 6 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Fahadh Faasil's 'Joji' premiered April 7th on Amazon Prime Video". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ^ Chopra, Anupama (7 April 2021). "Joji Review On Amazon Prime Video: Dileesh Pothan's Loose Adaptation Of Macbeth Is Deeply Unsettling". Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. ^ Staff, TNM (23 September 2021). "Dileesh Pothan and Fahadh's Joji wins big at Swedish International Film Festival". www.thenewsminute.com.
  8. ^ "അഭിനയമല്ല, സത്യമായും സംവിധായകനാണ്". Malayala Manorama. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  9. ^ "സന്ദേശം നൽകാനല്ല ഞാൻ സിനിമ ചെയ്യുന്നത്". Madhyamam. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Aashiq Abu Uncooked". 6 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum review: magically realistic". OnManorama. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Dileesh Pothan and Shyam Pushkar announce production company, first movie - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Joji: Fahadh Faasil announces next movie with Dileesh Pothan". OnManorama.
  14. ^ a b "Dileesh Pothan's next is inspired by 'Macbeth', will have Fahadh in the lead". The News Minute. 3 October 2020.
  15. ^ "'Thankam': Biju Menon - Vineeth Sreenivasan starrer crime drama starts rolling - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  16. ^ "അവാർഡ് തിളക്കത്തിൽ 'തങ്കത്തുടക്കം'". Indian Express Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Naslen-Mamitha Baiju's rom-com titled 'Premalu', first look out!". The Times of India. 1 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Nithya Menen-starrer Kolaambi's trailer is here". Cinema Express. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Kaapa certified U/A". Cinema Express. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Mammootty starrer 'Christopher' gets a release date! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  21. ^ O.Baby (2023) - IMDb, retrieved 23 June 2023
  22. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (26 June 2023). "'Garudan' teaser: Suresh Gopi bashes up goons with a motorbike helmet". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Jayaram's Abraham Ozler gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Dileesh Pothan to star in 'Manasa Vacha'". The Times of India. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  25. ^ Express Web Desk (3 May 2017). "National Film Awards 2017: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor felicitated by Pranab Mukherjee". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  26. ^ "Kerala State Film Awards 2016: Complete winners' list". The Times of India. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  27. ^ Upadhyaya, Prakash (17 June 2017). "Jio 64th Filmfare South Awards 2017: Here is the complete winners' list". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  28. ^ Correspondent, A. (8 May 2017). "Padmarajan awards announced". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  29. ^ "CPC cine awards 2016: Vinayakan, Sai Pallavi & Rajisha win top honors". OnManorama.
  30. ^ James, Anu (30 January 2017). "North American Film Awards (NAFA) 2017: Nivin Pauly, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas and others in winners list". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  31. ^ James, Anu (8 February 2017). "Vanitha Film Awards 2017: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier win top honours; netizens question if they deserve to be in winners' list". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  32. ^ "65th National Film Awards: Full winners list". 13 April 2018.
  33. ^ "'Wajib' bags Suvarna Chakoram at IFFK". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 15 December 2017 – via Business Standard.
  34. ^ "Winners: 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 - Times of India ►". The Times of India.
  35. ^ "SIIMA Awards: Here are the winners from Malayalam". OnManorama.
  36. ^ "Fahadh, Manju, Aishwarya corner Movie Street film excellence awards". OnManorama.
  37. ^ "'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' bags a rich haul of laurels". The New Indian Express. 19 February 2018.
  38. ^ Correspondent, A. (20 April 2018). "Film critics awards announced". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  39. ^ "വനിത ഫിലിം അവാര്‍ഡ് 2018: ഫഹദ് മികച്ച നടൻ, മഞ്ജു വാരിയർ, പാർവതി മികച്ച നടിമാർ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam).
  40. ^ "Watch: Mollywood's who's who attend 20th Asianet Film Awards". The News Minute. 21 May 2018.
  41. ^ James, Anu (28 November 2017). "Asiavision Movie Awards 2017: Deepika Padukone, Dulquer Salmaan, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas grace event [PHOTOS]". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  42. ^ "North American Film Awards - Winner". www.nafaawards.com.
  43. ^ "52nd Kerala State Film Awards: The complete winners list". The Indian Express. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  44. ^ An, Arjun (13 August 2020). "Promising directorial debuts in Malayalam cinema (2000-2020)". Plumeria Movies. Retrieved 31 August 2020.

External links[edit]