For jethu joseph, there is no escape from the fact that, however, she wants otherwise, otherwise, Drisham The franchise remains his calling card. His film production is associated with thriller, despite his forces in other styles. With his latest film MirageHe adds another title to his list of mystery-powered stories.
“This is a thriller, even with elements of action and mystery,” Jethu says, because he sits for conversation. Mirage Following a woman in search of the answer, joined by two other people as they travel together. All this Jeethu is set to reveal before the release of the film on 19 September. Originally as a Hindi film, the project moved to Malayalam after nearly four years, as Jeethu felt that the Hindi industry approach to tell the story did not align with them.
The script was co-shared by Jeetu and Srinivasan Abrol, from a story of Aparna Tarakkad.
Aparna Balamurali played the lead role with Asif Ali. “Aparna’s character is trying to solve a puzzle, and Asif joins him in that journey,” Jethu explains. It was straight to cast both, such as seeing their installed on-screen chemistry in films Kishaninda Kandam And Sunday holiday,
Aparna Balamurali and Asif Ali in ‘MiRage’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Aparna is a skilled actor; For this role he needs to navigate several emotional stages. He needed an experience, and that was the right choice. Aparna and Asif also work well as a pair.
He says that keeping a woman at the center of the story was neither a deliberate decision nor a statement. “I do not believe in making a film because it sounds like the right time. If the character is strong and the film attachs the audience, it does not matter whether the main man or woman. It is the material that matters. If the success of the film depends on the gender of its leadership, why the films led by the leading male actors sometimes fail? It comes down to perform and write.”
Drisham Films have defined Jeethu’s reputation; He is often seen as a director of “The Thriller”, who broke the box office records in languages. Many of his other films, from his beginning Spying To Memories, Ozam, 12th man, Nearu And Coman, Fall also within the thriller mold. Nevertheless, Jeethu insisted that he never specializes in style.
On the set of ‘Drishyam 2’ with Meena. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“I did not start my career by choosing a style, at least all mysteries or thriller. SpyingThe idea began with an idea that developed in a search thriller. my second, Mummy and meWas completely different – I wanted to prove that I could make other types of films too. ,
Next came my bossA light film. He says, there was a deliberate option to avoid being a thriller-producer. but once Memories And Drisham Back-to-back released, no one was escaping from the association. “When i was working Memories And my bossScript of Drisham Was ready. Although I wrote it, I was not going to direct it. I didn’t really think about casting. By the time I was asked to direct, Mohanlal’s dates were confirmed, and Drisham happened.”
A view of ‘Drishyam 2’
They chased with it Joseutty’s lifeWho did not work at the box office. “It was a deliberate step, because I wanted a change. Creating a thriller can be a monotonous constant, even in terms of shots and camera work. So, I discovered other styles – like lighter films Shri and Mrs. Rowdy And NankuziAnd NearuA court room drama. I want to try different types of films. There is no point in chasing a formula for success. ,
Jeetu is equally reluctant to be banned by language. after Drisham He was often called ‘Pan-Indian’, a label that he questions. “Is there really such a thing? I wonder when I have heard that people say so. I don’t think about it, and I don’t pay attention to it. I just want to tell stories. I have proposals from other industries; I am working on a Hindi film and I am considering a couple of Telugu projects.” Beyond the language, he says, he is interested in experiencing various film production styles of various industries.
One of Jeethu’s desires is that he says “Mass Film”. “People expect logic in my films, but I want to make one that is just fun. Years ago, I told actor-director Johnny Antony that I want to make a film like him. Sid mosa -Just an out-end-out entertainer. ,
He says, “Later Drisham I was given a ‘Pan-Indian’ director label. For me, it is only about telling stories. The scale of a film does not matter. When i made NankuziPeople asked why I am making a ‘small film’. For me, there are no big or small films, only stories are worth telling, and ways to tell them. Some filmmakers aim to mount each project on a large scale; I do not see it in this way. I would also like to make a children’s film. ,
Jeethu joseph (left) still in one place from ‘Papanasam’
As a landscape, the writing of Jethu often comes for discussion, sometimes attracts equal praise as their direction. Stories, they say, do not get out of thin air. “This may be a scene, a character, or an event, reads about some experience, a film or news. You then weave a story around him. Cinema, of course, is, of course, a commercial medium, but I try to work in space between so -called parallel cinema and commercial films. Whenever I am scripting, keep in mind whenever I am scripting.
With third part of Drisham In actions, the unavoidable question is whether one day can be the fourth. Jeethu laughs, a little surprised. “I did not even expect another part. But when people suggested it, I discovered the possibility. Drisham 2 The third part was not taken into consideration. The final shot of the second film just opened the door for this. ,
For now, their focus is on other projects – Ram (Part I)An action thriller starring Mohanlal, and Valathu Vashthe KallanBiju is characterized by Menon and Jujee George.
Published – September 18, 2025 09:40 pm IST
