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Basil Joseph
Basil Joseph
from Wikipedia

Basil Joseph (born 28 April 1989) is an Indian film actor and director who works in the Malayalam film industry. He started his film career as an assistant director of Vineeth Sreenivasan in the 2013 film Thira. He has directed three films till date, Kunjiramayanam (2015), Godha (2017) and Minnal Murali (2021).

Key Information

Basil made his acting debut in the 2013 film Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu. Basil has played supporting roles in numerous Malayalam films and is well appreciated for his role in Joji (2021). He has since received praise for his lead roles in films such as Jan. E. Man (2021), Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), Palthu Janwar (2022), Falimy (2023), Nunakkuzhi (2024), Sookshmadarshini (2024), and Ponman (2025).

Early life

[edit]

Basil Joseph was born at Sultan Bathery[2][3] in the Wayanad district of Kerala. He is the son of Fr. Joseph Pallippatt, a Jacobite priest. He studied at St. Joseph's School, Sulthan Bathery, and at SKMJ Higher Secondary School in Kalpetta.[4] He then did his B.Tech. degree at the College of Engineering, Trivandrum.[5] He worked at Infosys in Technopark, Trivandrum for two years before starting his career in movies.[6]

Career

[edit]

Basil Joseph acted in the short film CET Life whilst attending College of Engineering, Trivandrum. He also scripted and directed the short films, Oru Thundu Padam and Priyamvadha Katharayano during his stint at Infosys as a Systems Engineer in Thiruvananthapuram.[7]

Basil assisted Vineeth Sreenivasan in his third directional venture, Thira in 2013. He made his directorial debut in 2015 with Kunjiramayanam which featured brothers Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan. His second directorial venture was the sports comedy Godha starring Tovino Thomas. The film was a commercial success and went on to become the highest-grossing film of Tovino Thomas during that period.[citation needed] His third film Minnal Murali starring Tovino Thomas was released on Netflix in 2021 and had a simultaneous release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.[8]

Basil made his acting debut in 2013 Malayalam film Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu and has since played both leading and supporting roles. [citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

On 17 August 2017, he married Elizabeth,[9] with whom he was in a relationship for over seven years.[10][11] They have one daughter,[12] named Hope Elizabeth Basil.

Filmography

[edit]
Key
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

As director

[edit]
Year Title Writer Notes Ref.
2015 Kunjiramayanam Deepu Pradeep Debut film [13]
2017 Godha Rakesh Mantodi [14]
2021 Minnal Murali Arun Anirudhan, Justin Mathew Netflix film [15]

As assistant director

[edit]

As actor

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu Lift Technician
Silence John
2014 Homely Meals Editor Basil
2015 Kunjiramayanam Vellakkundil Dinesan
2017 Mayanadhi Director Jinu Cameo appearance
Godha Villager
2018 Rosapoo Bhanu
Padayottam Pinku
Nithyaharitha Nayakan Joby
2019 Virus Dr. Mithun
Kakshi: Amminippilla Adv. Pilakul Shamsu [16]
Love Action Drama DJ Brijesh
Ormayil Oru Shishiram Sanju
Manoharam Prabhu [17]
Kettyolannu Ente Malakha Kunjaambi
Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi Pizza Delivery Boy
2020 Gauthamante Radham Venkidi Iyer
Kilometers and Kilometers Kuttan
2021 Joji Fr. Kevin
Aanum Pennum Thug Sabu
Jan.E.Man Joymon [18]
Minnal Murali Young Politician Special appearance
2022 Dear Friend Sajith
Nna Thaan Case Kodu Judge Special appearance
Palthu Janwar Prasoon Krishnakumar [19]
Jack and Jill Ravi
Ullasam Asi
Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey Rajesh [20]
No Way Out [21]
Mukundan Unni Associates Himself Voiceover
2023 Enkilum Chandrike Kiran [22]
Pookkaalam Advocate Jikkumon [23]
Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham Bashiruddeen (Bachu) [24]
Falimy Anoop Chandran [25]
2024 Varshangalkku Shesham Pradeep [26]
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Kaitholapparambil Vinu Ramachandran [27]
Nunakkuzhi Eby Zachariah Poozhikunnel [28]
Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys Police officer Cameo appearance [29]
Ajayante Randam Moshanam K.P. Suresh [30]
Cup Raneesh [31]
Sookshmadarshini Manuel [32]
2025 Pravinkoodu Shappu SI Santhosh C J [33]
Ponman PP Ajesh [34]
Maranamass Luke P P [35]
Hridayapoorvam Dr. Manu Rameshan Cameo appearance [36]
Madhuram Jeevamrutha Bindu Ilyas [37]
2026 Parasakthi Major Oomen Chacko Tamil film; Cameo appearance [38]

Short films

[edit]
Year Title Role Language Director Notes Ref.
2012 CET Life Actor Malayalam Arun & Sarath
Shhh... Script writer Malayalam Basil Joseph
Priyamvadha Katharayano Actor Malayalam Basil Joseph
2013 Pakalukalude Rani Actor Malayalam Ritwik Baiju
Oru Thundu Padam Writer Malayalam Basil Joseph
2014 Happy Onam Writer Malayalam Basil Joseph

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2019 SIIMA Award Best Actor in a Comedy Role (Malayalam) Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha Won [39]
2022 Mazhavil Manorama Entertainment Award Special Mention Minnal Murali Won [40]
SIIMA Award Best Director (Malayalam) Nominated [41]
Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Director (Fiction) Won [42]
2023 SIIMA Award Special Jury Appreciation Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey Won [43]
2024 Mazhavil Entertainment Awards The Entertainer of the Year (Special Mention) Falimy, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil, Varshangalkku Shesham Won [44]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Basil Joseph (born 28 April 1990) is an Indian , , and who works predominantly in the Malayalam-language film industry. Hailing from in the of , he initially trained as an engineer, graduating from the , and briefly worked at before quitting at age 22 to pursue . Joseph began his professional career as an on the 2013 Malayalam thriller Thira, under , after creating short films during his college years, including CET Life and Priyamvadha Katharayano. His directorial debut came with the 2015 comedy , a critical and commercial success that marked his transition to feature films, followed by the sports drama Godha (2017) and the Minnal Murali (2021), the latter of which premiered on and earned him the Best Director (Fiction) award at the 2022 . As an , Joseph made his on-screen debut in the 2013 anthology Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu and has since built a reputation for versatile performances, often in comedic and character-driven roles, including Father Kevin in Joji (2021), Joymon in Jan.E.Man (2021), Rajesh in the blockbuster Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), Manuel in Sookshmadarshini (2024), and leads in Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024), Nunakkuzhi (2024), Pravinkoodu Shappu (2025), Ponman (2025), and Maranamass (2025). His multifaceted contributions have positioned him as a key figure in contemporary , blending direction with acting while expressing a preference for over performing.

Early years

Early life

Basil Joseph was born on 28 April 1989 in Sulthan Bathery, a town in the of , . He hails from a Syrian Jacobite Christian family and is the son of Pallippatt, a in the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church. His mother instilled in him a strong sense of humour, while the family's religious and cultural environment shaped his early worldview. has a younger sister, Shincy Joby, who worked as a technical specialist at Ltd. Growing up in the lush, rural setting of Wayanad, Joseph experienced a childhood immersed in community activities and nature. He was an active participant in school drama, choir, and sports, often excelling despite being the shortest boy in his class, and harboured early dreams of becoming a cricketer like his idol, . His academic performance was strong, reflecting the supportive family backdrop that emphasized and creativity. Joseph completed his secondary education up to the 10th standard at St. Joseph's English Higher Secondary School in Sulthan Bathery, followed by higher secondary studies at SKMJ Higher Secondary School in the same region. During this period, he developed an early fascination with cinema, influenced by the vibrant film and familial storytelling traditions, particularly the witty anecdotes from his maternal grandfather, Kunjithomman, which later inspired elements in his work. These experiences in Wayanad laid the groundwork for his creative inclinations before he pursued engineering studies in .

Education

Basil Joseph completed his secondary education at St. Joseph's English Higher Secondary School in Sulthan Bathery. He pursued a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering at the College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), one of Kerala's premier engineering institutions, where he was admitted based on his performance in the state engineering entrance exams. Joseph graduated in 2011 as part of the 2011 batch. During his college years, Joseph was actively involved in extracurricular activities, serving as the arts club secretary and participating in cultural events that honed his creative interests. He met his future wife, Elizabeth Samuel, who was his classmate at CET, during this period. These experiences, including collaborations with peers, sparked his passion for filmmaking; he acted in the short film CET Life in 2012 and directed early works like Shh and the satirical Oru Thundu Padam in 2013, which critiqued societal hypocrisy. This academic foundation in , combined with his student-led projects, facilitated Joseph's shift toward a in cinema, where he initially worked briefly in IT before fully committing to the industry.

Career

Assistant

Basil Joseph's entry into the film industry began with his role as an on the 2013 thriller Thira, directed by . This opportunity arose after Joseph impressed Sreenivasan with his Priyamvadha Kaatharayanu, leading to an introduction via actor and his subsequent approach to join the project. In this position, Joseph handled on-set coordination, script supervision, and logistical support, gaining hands-on exposure to the filmmaking process under Sreenivasan's guidance. He collaborated closely with a seasoned crew, including cinematographer and actress , which provided invaluable insights into professional hierarchies and production dynamics. These experiences on Thira were particularly formative, as Joseph later described them as equivalent to the learning from two or three full films, emphasizing Sreenivasan's mentorship in nurturing newcomers. Prior to Thira, Joseph's contributions were primarily to short films in supportive capacities, such as scripting and production assistance, though no additional credits appear before 2015. This phase honed his technical skills in scripting, shooting schedules, and on-location production, bridging his prior short film work with professional cinema. As a newcomer transitioning from an engineering background, Joseph faced challenges including self-doubt about his suitability for the industry and the lack of familial connections in , requiring him to quit his corporate job on a four-month leave to commit fully to Thira. His aided in grasping technical aspects like production logistics and handling, easing his adaptation despite these hurdles.

Directorial works

Basil Joseph's directorial debut came with (2015), a comedy-drama that captures the quirks and simplicity of village life in , co-written by him and . The film, produced by Suvin K. Varkey under the banner of Little Big Films, marked his transition from assistant director to leading a project that blended humor with relatable rural narratives, earning praise for its fresh take on slice-of-life storytelling. In 2017, Joseph helmed Godha, a sports drama centered on the world of wrestling, starring and in lead roles. The narrative follows a Punjabi woman's journey to empower herself through the sport in a village, highlighting themes of and resilience, and was noted for its authentic portrayal of athletic determination and cultural fusion. This work showcased Joseph's ability to infuse motivational elements with light-hearted moments, further establishing his reputation for character-driven stories. Joseph ventured into the superhero genre with (2021), featuring as a tailor who gains powers after a freak accident. Produced by and released directly on amid the pandemic, the film represented a significant shift toward action-oriented genre filmmaking in , blending high-energy sequences with emotional depth rooted in small-town dynamics. Its success underscored Joseph's adaptability in scaling up production while retaining his signature humor and focus on underdog protagonists. In September 2025, Joseph launched his , Basil Joseph Entertainment. He expanded into production as co-producer of the comedy Athiradi (expected late 2025), directed by Arun Anirudhan and starring , , and himself. Under his banner Basil Joseph Entertainment, the project reunites key collaborators from and aims to deliver explosive fun through mismatched friendships. By 2025, two of Joseph's post-Minnal Murali directorial projects had been shelved due to production challenges beyond his control, including a rumored Bollywood debut. In response, he announced plans for a directorial comeback in 2025 interviews. To prepare, Joseph took a brief pause from commitments starting late 2024, prioritizing script development and for his next directorial endeavor. His roles, meanwhile, had provided the financial stability needed to pursue these ambitious directing goals. Joseph's directorial style has evolved from the intimate, humor-infused slice-of-life portrayals in to more dynamic action and comedy elements in later works like . Across his films, he consistently emphasizes strong female characters—such as the resilient wrestler in Godha—and layers narratives with witty, relatable humor to explore themes of empowerment and community.

Acting career

Basil Joseph made his acting debut in the 2013 Malayalam psychological thriller Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu, portraying the role of a lift technician in a story centered on eight people trapped in an elevator unraveling a mystery. This marked his entry into on-screen performances shortly after beginning his film career as an assistant director. His early appearances were primarily in supporting capacities, including small roles in films like Silence (2013) and Homely Meals (2014), where he played an editor. Joseph's visibility in increased with his supporting role as a college student in the 2015 coming-of-age romantic comedy , directed by , which became a major commercial success and helped establish him among younger audiences. He transitioned toward more prominent supporting and lead roles in the following years, including a key part in the 2017 family drama , where his performance contributed to the film's exploration of father-son dynamics. A significant turning point came with his nuanced portrayal of Father Kevin, a offering moral guidance, in the 2021 black comedy thriller Joji, inspired by Shakespeare's and starring in the titular role; this performance earned widespread appreciation for its subtlety amid the film's tense narrative. In parallel, Joseph excelled in comedy and ensemble casts, showcasing his versatility. He played a memorable comic role in the 2019 romantic drama Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha, supporting Asif Ali's lead as a newlywed farmer navigating marital quirks. This was followed by a lead role in the 2021 comedy Jan. E. Man, where he depicted Joy Mon, a lonely man in Canada planning a birthday party to combat isolation, blending humor with emotional depth. His ensemble work continued in the 2023 family road-trip comedy Falimy, as Anoop, a self-centered family member on a pilgrimage, highlighting his timing in chaotic group dynamics. Joseph's recent projects in 2024 and 2025 further solidified his range across genres. He took on lead roles in the investigative Nunakkuzhi (2024), a Sookshmadarshini (2024), the period drama Ponman (2025), the latter earning praise for his grounded portrayal in a story of rural life and revenge, and the thriller Pravinkoodu Shappu (2025), where he played police inspector Santhosh. In the 2025 romantic -drama Hridayapoorvam, he appeared in a cameo as Dr. Manu Rameshan. Upcoming releases include Athiradi (late 2025), and Parasakthi (2026). Known for his natural, understated style that blends realism with emotional nuance in , dramas, and thrillers, Joseph has credited with providing to fund his directorial ambitions. However, in 2025 interviews, he announced plans to pause temporarily to prioritize his next directorial venture, citing the challenges of balancing both roles amid demanding schedules.

Personal life

Marriage

Basil Joseph has been in a long-term relationship with Elizabeth Samuel, whom he met during their time as classmates at the (CET). The couple, who shared formative years in engineering studies, got engaged in July 2017 in . They married on 17 August 2017 in a traditional Christian ceremony held in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, Basil's native place. The intimate event marked the culmination of their over seven-year romance, which began during their college days. Elizabeth Samuel is an educationalist from , serving as the director of Firki, Teach For India's online teacher education platform. Their enduring partnership, rooted in shared academic experiences at CET, provided personal stability during Basil's shift from to a career in filmmaking.

Family

Basil Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth Samuel, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Hope Elizabeth Basil, on 15 February 2023. The couple announced the birth on , expressing their joy at becoming parents. Elizabeth, an educationalist, serves as a director at Firki under , contributing to educational initiatives aimed at underprivileged children. Their has formed a supportive foundation for this family dynamic, allowing them to prioritize both professional and personal growth. In October 2025, shared heartwarming social media glimpses of his family spending an evening with veteran actor , shortly after the superstar's health recovery. The posts captured tender moments, including two-year-old innocently asking Mammootty, "What's your name?", to which he patiently responded, creating cherished memories for the family. Elizabeth's involvement with also reflects a commitment to without direct participation in Joseph's cinematic projects.

Filmography

As director

Basil Joseph's directorial debut was the comedy-drama (2015), which runs for 122 minutes and stars in the lead role as Kunjiraman, a middle-aged man returning from the Gulf to his village, alongside , , and supporting cast including and Arhaan. The film explores themes of village life, , and romance through humorous vignettes set in a fictional hamlet. It achieved commercial success by grossing approximately ₹10.08 in over 35 days, ranking as the second-highest grosser among releases that year. Critically, it was praised for its lighthearted narrative, quirky characters, and effective humor, earning a 3/5 rating from reviewers who highlighted the measured performances and engaging storytelling despite some pacing issues. His second film, Godha (2017), is a sports comedy running 142 minutes, featuring as Das, a young man who revives wrestling traditions in his village after encountering a talented Punjabi wrestler played by , with and in key roles. Production spanned five months across locations in () and (, , , ), involving challenges such as coordinating authentic wrestling sequences and a complex opening shot using a 110-foot crane. The film grossed around ₹16.36 crore in over its lifetime run and received positive reception for its warm storytelling, humor, and performances, often compared to Dangal while standing out for its cultural blend; it also garnered award recognition for its technical and narrative achievements. Minnal Murali (2021), Joseph's third directorial venture, is a 158-minute starring as Jaison, a who acquires lightning-based powers after a freak accident, facing off against a rival empowered by the same event, with supporting performances by Shyam Mohan and . Co-produced by and , the film incorporated extensive VFX work for its action sequences and supernatural elements, marking a milestone in cinema's foray into the genre with a budget emphasizing practical effects alongside digital enhancements. It had a limited theatrical release in amid the , earning about ₹8 at the before its global premiere, where it achieved significant international acclaim as one of the most-watched non-English films, topping charts in and ranking fourth worldwide while boosting content's visibility. Critics lauded its fresh take on superhero tropes, character depth, and VFX quality, awarding it a 3.5/5 for its engaging plot and emotional core. A , 2, was announced in 2022 following the original's success, with Basil Joseph returning as director and reprising his role; as of November 2025, it has faced delays amid rumors of potential shelving due to issues, with no confirmed production timeline.

As actor

Basil Joseph made his acting debut in the 2013 Malayalam film Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu, directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar, where he essayed a supporting role that marked his entry into the industry as an actor. His early career featured supporting parts in youth-centric comedies and dramas, with a notable role as Shambu, a college friend of the protagonist, in the 2015 coming-of-age film Premam, directed by Alphonse Puthren, which highlighted his natural comic timing within the ensemble cast. By 2021, Joseph transitioned to more prominent characters, including Fr. Kevin in the black comedy thriller Joji, directed by Dileesh Pothan, where his portrayal of the priest added layers of subtle intrigue to the narrative inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth. Joseph's versatility shone in lead roles across genres, such as Joymon in the horror comedy Jan.E.Man (2021), Rajesh in the satirical comedy Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), the lead in the romantic comedy Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024), Manuel in the thriller Sookshmadarshini (2024), the lead in the mystery comedy Nunakkuzhi (2024), Luke P. P. in the action comedy Maranamass (2025), the dejected dubbing artist Anoop in the 2023 family comedy Falimy, directed by Nithish Sahadev, an ensemble road-trip film that earned praise for his relatable everyman performance amid humorous family chaos. In 2025, he took the lead as P. P. Ajesh in Ponman, a black comedy thriller directed by Jothish Shankar, depicting a man's entanglement in a high-stakes family drama that showcased his ability to blend tension with dark humor. Upcoming projects include Athiradi, a action-comedy in production since October 2025, where Joseph shares co-lead billing with and , directed by Arun Anirudhan, with an expected release in 2026. By November 2025, Joseph had appeared in over 40 feature films, demonstrating genre diversity from light-hearted comedies like to intense thrillers such as Ponman, often leveraging his understated expressions for comedic effect. He occasionally incorporated brief cameos in his own directorial works, such as a special appearance in (2015).

Short films

Basil Joseph's entry into filmmaking began during his time as a student at the College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), where he acted in the 2012 short film CET Life, portraying a character that reflected campus experiences and marked his initial foray into on-screen performance. This student-led project highlighted his early interest in comedy and ensemble storytelling, serving as a foundational step in his creative development. Transitioning to directing, Joseph helmed his first , Shhh... (2012), which he also scripted, exploring humorous scenarios with minimal resources and showcasing his knack for concise, witty narratives. Later that year, while employed as a software engineer at , he directed Priyamvadha Katharayano (2012), a zero-budget quirky love story that gained viral attention online and attracted industry notice from figures like actor , prompting Joseph to leave his job for full-time . In 2013, he followed with Oru Thundu Padam, where he handled the adaptation from John Jose's story, further experimenting with comedic timing and character-driven humor in a short format. These early short films, produced between 2012 and 2013, acted as a crucial training ground for Joseph, allowing him to refine his skills in and direction amid limited budgets and resources, which directly influenced the light-hearted tone of his later feature works. No additional short films directed or acted in by Joseph have been noted post-2013, as he shifted focus to feature-length projects.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2021 in a Comedy Role – Won
2022Best Director – Nominated
2022Best Direction (Fiction)Won
2023Special Jury Award – Won
2024 in a Leading Role – / Nominated
2024Kerala State Youth CommissionYouth Icon Award – /Overall contributionWon
2025JFW Movie AwardsMan of the YearOverall contribution (Nunakkuzhi, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil)Won
2025Mazhavil Entertainment AwardsAll-Rounder of the YearOverall contributionWon

References

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