Minnal Murali director Basil Joseph: 'Acting in Fahadh Faasil's Joji was a turning point in my career'

Basil Joseph, who directed the popular superhero film Minnal Murali, has been establishing himself as a lead actor in Malayalam films. Jan. E. Man, Palthu Janwar, and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey — the films that he has acted in — received appreciation from audiences.

In a recent interview with Club FM, Basil spoke about the characters that have made an impact on his career.

“My first movie was Homely Meals, in which I played an editor. Director Anoop Kannan compelled me to essay that role; he was the first person who told me that I could act and instilled the confidence in me to do so. After that film, I was stereotyped and only played funny characters for some time. Playing a priest character in Joji proved to be a turning point in my career. After Joji, directors started to offer me diverse roles,” Basil said.

Basil also said that he was surprised with the response to his film, Jan. E. Man. “I expected Paltu Janwar and Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey to have good runs in theatres, but the response for Jan. E. Man was a surprise. The idea behind Jan. E. Man was exciting, but I thought the audience would get bored after an hour. But the film succeeded in surprising the audience in every scene,” he said.

Basil's last film to hit theatres was Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham, a feel-good drama. Set against the COVID-19 backdrop, the movie had a serious tone compared to his other feel-good movies.

He will next be seen alongside Prithviraj and Tovino Thomas in Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil and Ajayante Randam Moshanam.

Meanwhile, Basil and Tovino have given hints about a sequel to Minnal Murali, which is slated for a theatrical release, unlike the first part.