Dileesh Pothan has rarely been a filmmaker who rushes, and it has always shown in his films. After his first three directorials, Maheshinte Prathikaaram, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Joji, all critically acclaimed hits, the filmmaker is back behind the screen for his fourth directorial, Nedumkandam Miracle.
Nedumkandam Miracle is Pothan's collaboration with Malayalam megastar Mohanlal, and was a part of Mohanlal's recently announced packed seven-film slate.
Discussing his upcoming projects both as an actor and a director in an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Pothan shared that the script for his next directorial, co-written with frequent collaborator Syam Pushkaran, is currently in its third draft and a release is planned for 2027.
"As of now we are planning to release it next year," Pothan shared. "We are in the final parts of the scripting stage, working on the third draft of the script currently."
The Mohanlal collaboration, which garnered considerable attention as the director's long-awaited directorial return, is by Pothan's description, still in early stages. "The process of our collaboration has only just begun. We've only had about three meetings with him so far; I've narrated the story to him, and he has agreed to come on board the project."
Next steps will follow the script, he says. "I'll be getting back to him once the script is ready. Syam Pushkaran and I are working on the latest draft currently. Once we're happy with what we have, we'll get into the next stage of the film."
In the meantime, Pothan's calendar as an actor is even fuller. He is currently shooting for Navarasa Films' third production, an untitled film directed by Saheed Arafath (Thankam, Theeram), alongside Samvritha Sunil and Alphonse Puthren, which was announced earlier this month.
“I am working on a film with the director of Thankam, Saheed Arafath. He is directing this film, and it co-stars Samvrita Sunil and Alphonse Puthren. We are currently shooting," he shares.
Pothan is also starring in Picnic, the debut directorial of Kiran Josey — writer of both Premalu and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit — which is produced by Bhavana Studios, the banner behind Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. It is set to release in January 2027.
Then there is Chevittorma (The Soul Whisperer), a Malayalam-language independent feature film directed by Leo Thaddeus, in which Pothan stars alongside Pauly Valsan. The film has its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival this year as one of the selections for the festival's 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section.
Chevittorma stars Pothan as Varkichan, a powerful landlord who finds himself on his deathbed following a sudden illness. He is soon accompanied by Theresia (Pauly Valsan), a woman who sits beside the dying whispering prayers believed to ease the passage of the soul. The story follows as Varkichan's passing does not arrive easily, leading to a prolonged vigil unearthing old tensions, buried memories and unresolved histories.