Dileesh Pothan
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]
Dileesh Pothan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 February 1980 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Organisation(s) | Working Class Hero Bhavana Studios |
| Known for | |
| Spouse |
Jimsy (m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | https://www.dileeshpothan.com |
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
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
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
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
- All films are in Malayalam language unless otherwise noted.
As director
| 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
| 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[13][14] | Himself | Fahadh Faasil, Baburaj, Unnimaya Prasad, Shammi Thilakan, Basil Joseph | Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero |
| 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 |
| Thankam [15] | Saheed Arafath | Vineeth Sreenivasan, Biju Menon, Aparna Balamurali, Girish Kulkarni[16] | Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil and Friends & Working Class Hero | |
| 2024 | Untitled Project | Girish A.D. | Naslen K Gafoor, Mamitha Baiju | Produced by Bhavana Studios |
As actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Salt N' Pepper | Movie director | |
| 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 | [17] | ||
| 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 | [18] | |
| 2023 | Christopher | ADGP Abhilash Balakrishnan IPS | [19] |
| O.Baby | Othayathu Baby | [20] | |
| Garudan † | TBA | [21] | |
| TBA | 9MM † | TBA | |
As associate director
- 3 char sau bees(2010)
- 22 Female Kottayam (2012)
- Da Thadiya (2012)
- 5 Sundarikal (2013)
- Idukki Gold (2013)
- Gangster (2013)
- Tamaar Padaar (2014)
Awards
Filmmaking style
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. But Pothan is also singularly distinctive in his approach, which is a delectable medley of native roots (classy old-school) and modern kerala. 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.[41]
References
- 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.
- V.P, Nicy (20 August 2014). "Fahadh to Play Photographer in 'Maheshinte Prathikaram'". www.ibtimes.co.in.
- Karthikeyan, Shruti. "Anusree is a nurse in Maheshinte Prathikaram - Times of India". The Times of India.
- "'Driksakshiyum' scores big at multiplexes". The News Minute. 6 July 2017.
- "Fahadh Faasil's 'Joji' premiered April 7th on Amazon Prime Video". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- 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.
- Staff, TNM (23 September 2021). "Dileesh Pothan and Fahadh's Joji wins big at Swedish International Film Festival". www.thenewsminute.com.
- "അഭിനയമല്ല, സത്യമായും സംവിധായകനാണ്". Malayala Manorama. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- "സന്ദേശം നൽകാനല്ല ഞാൻ സിനിമ ചെയ്യുന്നത്". Madhyamam. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "Aashiq Abu Uncooked". 6 December 2011.
- "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum review: magically realistic". OnManorama. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- "Dileesh Pothan and Shyam Pushkar announce production company, first movie - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- "Joji: Fahadh Faasil announces next movie with Dileesh Pothan". OnManorama.
- "Dileesh Pothan's next is inspired by 'Macbeth', will have Fahadh in the lead". The News Minute. 3 October 2020.
- "'Thankam': Biju Menon - Vineeth Sreenivasan starrer crime drama starts rolling - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- "അവാർഡ് തിളക്കത്തിൽ 'തങ്കത്തുടക്കം'". Indian Express Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- "Nithya Menen-starrer Kolaambi's trailer is here". Cinema Express. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- "Kaapa certified U/A". Cinema Express. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- "Mammootty starrer 'Christopher' gets a release date! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- O.Baby (2023) - IMDb, retrieved 23 June 2023
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- Upadhyaya, Prakash (17 June 2017). "Jio 64th Filmfare South Awards 2017: Here is the complete winners' list". www.ibtimes.co.in.
- Correspondent, A. (8 May 2017). "Padmarajan awards announced". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- "CPC cine awards 2016: Vinayakan, Sai Pallavi & Rajisha win top honors". OnManorama.
- 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.
- 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.
- "65th National Film Awards: Full winners list". 13 April 2018.
- "'Wajib' bags Suvarna Chakoram at IFFK". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 15 December 2017 – via Business Standard.
- "Winners: 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 - Times of India ►". The Times of India.
- "SIIMA Awards: Here are the winners from Malayalam". OnManorama.
- "Fahadh, Manju, Aishwarya corner Movie Street film excellence awards". OnManorama.
- "'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' bags a rich haul of laurels". The New Indian Express.
- Correspondent, A. (20 April 2018). "Film critics awards announced". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- "വനിത ഫിലിം അവാര്ഡ് 2018: ഫഹദ് മികച്ച നടൻ, മഞ്ജു വാരിയർ, പാർവതി മികച്ച നടിമാർ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam).
- "Watch: Mollywood's who's who attend 20th Asianet Film Awards". The News Minute. 21 May 2018.
- James, Anu (28 November 2017). "Asiavision Movie Awards 2017: Deepika Padukone, Dulquer Salmaan, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas grace event [PHOTOS]". www.ibtimes.co.in.
- "North American Film Awards - Winner". www.nafaawards.com.
- "52nd Kerala State Film Awards: The complete winners list". The Indian Express. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- An, Arjun (13 August 2020). "Promising directorial debuts in Malayalam cinema (2000-2020)". Plumeria Movies. Retrieved 31 August 2020.