Dileesh Pothan


Dileesh Pothan is an Indian film actor and director, who works in Malayalam cinema.
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 movie director in one scene in Aashiq Abu's 2011 film Salt N' Pepper. He made his directorial debut with the 2016 comedy-drama film Maheshinte Prathikaaram, starring Fahadh Faasil. The movie 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. His second directional was Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, which was also a critical and commercial hit. Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum won the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award as well at the 65th National Film Awards.

Personal life

Pothan was born in Omalloor of Manjoor panchayat-village in northern Kottayam district, Kerala. Pothan 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 on December 2012 at St. Thomas Church, Kuruppanthara. They have a daughter and a son.

Film career

Pothan started his film career as an assistant director to the film 9 KK Road. Later on he became an associate director to Aashiq Abu. He assisted director Aashiq Abu in films like 22 Female Kottayam, Da Thadiya, and Gangster. He has also acted in small roles mostly in Aashiq Abu's films, Salt N' Pepper, 22 Female Kottayam, Idukki Gold, Gangster, Iyobinte Pusthakam, and Rani Padmini. He was the chief associate director in Dileesh Nair's 2014 film Tamaar Padaar.
His first appearance infront of a movie camera was as a junior artist in the movie Chandranudikunna Dikkil directed by Lal Jose. Later his first proper role as an actor was in Salt N' Pepper. Till 2020 he has acted in more than 50 films. Dileesh has also co-produced movies including critically acclaimed 2019 movie Kumbalangi Nights.

Film Production Venture

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

Filmography

As director

As actor


YearFilmRoleNotes
2011Salt N' PepperMovie director
201222 Female KottayamAdvocateUncredited
2012Da Thadiya
20135 SundarikalSecuritySegment: Kullante Bharya
2013Idukki GoldEmployee at 'Mathrubhumi'
2014GangsterDYSP Vithura Chengalath
2014HangoverKrishna Kumar
2014Tamaar PadaarSibi Karimannur
2014Iyobinte PusthakamTea shop owner
2015Chandrettan EvideyaNaadi Jyothishi
2015Ennum EppozhumDeepa's client's Son
2015Rani PadminiUllas Menon
2016GuppyKrishnan
2016Maheshinte PrathikaaramEldho
2017AbyCI George
2017Rakshadhikari Baiju OppuGeorgeCameo appearance
2017Comrade in AmericaHari
2017Role ModelsGautam's boss
2017Njandukalude Nattil OridavelaVarkichan
2017Pullikkaran StaraaKuryachan
2017TharangamGod
2017Pokkiri SimonCI Alex
2017Honey Bee 2.5
2018CarbonThamban
2018Ee.Ma.YauVikariyachan
2018Rosapoo Kuttan
2018Kadha Paranja Kadha
2018NeeraliRajan
2018Ente Mezhuthiri AthazhangalSony George
2018PadayottamSenan
2018Varathan Benny
2018DramaDixon Lopez
2018Oru Kuprasidha PayyanDr. P. Suresh Babu
2018LadooSuresh
2018JosephPeter
2018Ente Ummante PeruShivankutty
2018Ennalum SarathDoctor
2018Samaksham
2019Neeyum Njnanum
2019Lonappante MamodeesaKunjuoottan
2019Kumbalangi NightsCircle Inspector Raju UnniCameo appearance
2019Vaarikkuzhiyile KolapathakamJoy
2019Oru Yamandan PremakadhaAbhilash Karikkan
2019Thottappan
2019VirusPrakashan
2019UndaC. I. K. Mathukutty
2019Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal
2019MoothonMoosa
2019Sidharthan Enna Njan
2019ThakkolFilming
2019KolaambiPost Production
2019Arakkallan MukkakallanFilming
2020Trance
ThankamPre Production

As associate director