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Dileesh Pothan

Dileesh Pothan 2019
Dileesh Pothan 2019 Image: Wikimedia Commons. Asianet / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Dileesh Philip (born 19 February 1980), known professionally as Dileesh Pothan, is an Indian film director, actor and producer who works primarily in Malayalam cinema. He came to prominence as the director of the comedy drama Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) and the courtroom drama Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), both of which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in successive years.

Key facts

Born 19 February 1980
Birth name Dileesh Philip
Other name Dileesh Pothan
Occupation Film director, actor, producer
Industry Malayalam cinema
Directorial debut Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)
Acting debut Salt N' Pepper (2011)
Notable collaborator Fahadh Faasil

Background and early career

Pothan began his career in the Malayalam film industry as an assistant director on the 2010 film 9 KK Road. He subsequently assisted director Aashiq Abu on five of Abu's films. His on-screen debut came in 2011, when he appeared in a single scene in Aashiq Abu's Salt N' Pepper.

Direction

Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)

Pothan made his directorial debut with Maheshinte Prathikaaram, a comedy drama starring Fahadh Faasil. The film received the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award at the 64th National Film Awards. For his work on the film, Pothan won the Best Director Award at the 64th Filmfare Awards South.

Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017)

His second feature, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), was a critical and commercial success. The film won the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award at the 65th National Film Awards, marking the second consecutive National Award for a Pothan-directed film.

Joji (2021)

Pothan's third feature, Joji, again starring Fahadh Faasil, was released directly on the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video in April 2021 and was met with highly positive reviews. The film won the Best International Film Award at the Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF) 2021.

Significance

Pothan is regarded as one of the prominent voices of contemporary Malayalam cinema, particularly within the wave of realist filmmaking that emerged in the mid-2010s. His successive National Award-winning films, both featuring Fahadh Faasil, have contributed to wider recognition of Malayalam cinema in national and international contexts.

Filmography highlights

  • 2010 – 9 KK Road (assistant director)
  • 2011 – Salt N' Pepper (acting debut)
  • 2016 – Maheshinte Prathikaaram (director)
  • 2017 – Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (director)
  • 2021 – Joji (director)

References

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