Dileesh Pothan

“When I heard the stories of both my movies, I liked them. These are the kind of stories that I enjoy.”

“From the 'get go', we were working within the limitations of the pandemic. The idea was to work around the situation, and that led us to 'Joji.'”

“I am not saying theatre release movies are restrictive. But I do not get certain 'freedoms' which 'Joji' gave me; I did not get those with both my earlier films.”

“I act because I find everything about cinema fun and exciting.”

“I've always been interested in the arts and chucked a science degree to study theatre and performance art because I was so enamored by it.”

“I enjoy humor with a poignant touch.”

“Clearly the encouragement I received after 'Mahesh...' helped in the making of 'Thondimuthalum.'”

“I find it difficult to direct myself in my films and so I avoid taking on any major roles in my films as I feel my judgement might be flawed.”

“Cinema felt like a fantasy. It was like watching dreams unfold on the screen before me.”

“I enjoy acting in all kinds of roles; it's only that I don't get the time to do all what is offered to me!”

“The Malayali audience, which appreciates a good story or experiment, is our strength. They don't ask who is the star of a new film, they ask who is the director and writer.”

“But acting is just something I do. It's not a passion like filmmaking is.”

“In 'Maheshinte...' fight is the central aspect of the story - a man who is assaulted physically in front of his own townsfolk and how he fails miserably. Humiliated, fighting back his honor becomes the sole reason behind his existence.”

“Sometimes, during a shoot, an actor might fail to turn up or there might be a need for an actor for a scene... and then if the director asks me, I step in front of the camera.”

“'Joji' is a special film, the story will keep audiences hooked till the end.”

“In each of our lives, there are certain moments that have the potential to change everything, depending on how we react. Those are the little stories that I'm trying to capture.”

“I always wanted to be a director. And I make films that I like.”

“I think I'm overrated as a director!”

“A film released in a theatre needs to provide entertainment to more people. It is different with an OTT platform, not just in terms of audience size - it gives space to break more conventions.”

“As a film-maker, I enjoy telling stories, and every film has its own journey.”