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Dileesh Pothan

ディリース・ポータン

Dileesh Pothan

Aliases: Dileesh Philip

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1980-02-19 （Manjoor, Kottayam, Kerala, India）
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Malayalam, English

Career

Occupations
Actor, Film director, Producer
Active Years
2008-
Affiliations
Working Class Hero (production company), Bhavana Studios
Influenced By
K. G. George, Aashiq Abu

Education

St. Philomena's College, Mysore
Degree: BSc
Country: India
BSc obtained (year unknown)
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (Kalady)
Theatre Arts
Degree: M.A.
Country: India
Master's degree in Theatre Arts
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
Theatre Arts
Degree: M.Phil.
Country: India
M.Phil. in Theatre Arts

Awards

National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
2016
Work: Maheshinte Prathikaaram
Category: Best Feature Film in Malayalam
Organization: National Film Awards (India)
Result: Winner (shared)
Filmfare Award South — Best Director (Malayalam)
2017
Work: Maheshinte Prathikaaram
Category: Best Director
Organization: Filmfare Awards South
Result: Winner
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
2017
Work: Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
Category: Best Feature Film in Malayalam
Organization: National Film Awards (India)
Result: Winner (shared)
NETPAC Award
2017
Work: Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
Category: NETPAC Award
Organization: International Film Festival of Kerala
Result: Winner
Swedish International Film Festival — Best International Film
2021
Work: Joji
Category: Best International Film
Organization: Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF)
Result: Winner
Kerala State Film Awards — Best Director
2021
Work: Joji
Category: Best Director
Organization: Kerala State Film Awards
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Maheshinte Prathikaaram

2016 Comedy drama

A character-driven film set in a small town, following Mahesh and using everyday incidents to explore human relationships and local life.

Retribution and forgivenessCommunity bondsAttention to everyday detail

Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum

2017 Drama / Realism

A realistic drama that follows how a mundane incident escalates into legal and moral questions; praised for its ensemble and detailed depiction.

Justice and moralityRealismObservation of human relationships

Joji

2021 Psychological thriller / Drama

A tense contemporary drama inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth, depicting domestic ambition and power struggles with dark humor.

Power and ambitionMoral decayFamily dynamics

Bibliography

  • Maheshinte Prathikaaram (Director, 2016)
  • Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (Director, 2017)
  • Joji (Director, 2021)
  • Kumbalangi Nights (Producer, 2019)
  • Various other credits as actor, associate/assistant director and producer

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Meticulous attention to small details and subtle everyday depictionBlend of local roots with modern cinematic languageUnderstated yet striking emotional expression
Recurring Motifs
Human patterns in regional communitiesSmall everyday incidents triggering larger consequencesCoexistence of humor and pathos

Legacy

Dileesh Pothan is recognized in Malayalam cinema for his sensitivity to detail and his distinctive way of dramatizing everyday life. Since his debut he has earned critical success and awards, becoming a significant figure in contemporary Kerala cinema.

Trivia

  • Full name Dileesh Philip.
  • Married to Jimsy in 2013; they have two children.
  • Founded production company 'Working Class Hero' in 2018 and co-produced Kumbalangi Nights.
  • Has received multiple national and international awards for films such as Maheshinte Prathikaaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum.