Dileesh Pothan is a path-breaking Indian director, producer and actor from Malayalam cinema. Pothan began his career as an associate director on the 2010 film 9 KK Road, and went on to be an assistant director with producer-director Aashiq Abu for five films. He also made his acting debut with a scene in Aashiq Abu's 2011 film Salt N' Pepper. He has since acted in 44 films till date. Dileesh Potha's directorial debut was the exceptional 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, and set a new bar for story telling in Malayalam cinema. Pothan also won the Best Director Award at the 64th Filmfare Awards South. His second film as director was Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), again starring Fahad Fasil. This film was once again a major critical and commercial hit, and won the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award at the 65th National Film Awards. His third and most recent movie, Joji, also starring Fahadh Faasil, released to glowing reviews nationally on Amazon Prime in April 2021. Dileesh successfully ventured into producing with the block-buster 2019 cult film, 'Kumbalangi Nights' and is producing 'Thankam' starring himself, Fahad Faasil and Joju George.