Exclusive! Jana Gana Mana director Dijo Jose Antony: Glad we could achieve the pan-Indian reach we set out to

It’s an outstanding feat for a movie to achieve success in both theatres and still be watched and discussed widely when it drops on OTT. Jana Gana Mana’s director Dijo Jose Antony is happy that he has pulled that off. The film as well as its Telugu version titled Jana 2022 features in the top 10 most-watched movies in India last week.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Dijo says that he is happy that he could achieve the pan-Indian reach they initially set out for with the film. “That was what we wanted. We wanted people across the country to relate to the film’s story,” says the filmmaker, on the movie starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mamta Mohandas.

Within days after it dropped on Netflix, people started sharing clips from the movie including its court scene. Several also lauded the makers for having the courage to make a relevant socio-political drama that mirrored what was happening in the society.

“It’s been 50 days since its theatrical release and the movie is still running in cinema halls. Also, the response after the OTT release has been huge. People are still putting up reviews. It’s been almost two weeks now, and we are happy that people are watching it in Kannada and Telugu as well,” says the director.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Dijo’s next project will have him teaming up with a superstar again. Ask him this and the director says, “There are several big projects in discussion. But nothing has been finalised yet and so I can’t confirm,” says the director.

The filmmaker had also announced a period film with Tovino Thomas titled Pallichattambi a few years ago. The movie, which is scripted by S Suresh Babu, could go on floors after Tovino completes his current commitments.

Also read: Exclusive! Vaashi star Tovino Thomas: I am glad I can now do the movies I want in the budgets they warrant