We Knew Maranamass Would Divide Opinions

With Maranamass streaming now on Sony LIV, actor-director Basil Joseph discusses his role as Luke PP, the directorial instincts he brings to his acting, and more

- VIVEK SANTHOSH

ASIL JOSEPH is currently the man for all seasons in Malayalam cinema. Whether behind the camera or in front of it, he has consistently demonstrated a sharp instinct for engaging audiences. After establishing himself as a director with hits like Kunjiramayanam, Godha, and the game-changing Minnal Murali, he has also steadily grown into one of the industry's most dependable actors. The latest film to showcase his flair for blending wild and unpredictable humour with surprising emotional depth was Maranamass.

With Maranamass streaming now on Sony LIV, Basil discusses playing Luke PP, his dynamic with director Sivaprasad, his evolution as an actor, and more.

"We're currently working on my next directorial, and I hope to begin shooting next year," says Basil when asked about his much-awaited return to direction. Even while asserting that it won't be a Malayalam film, Basil remains tight-lipped about whether it will be the much-hyped Ranveer Singh project.

Excerpts: In the past four months, you've played three distinct roles, with Luke PP in Maranamass standing out as a chaotic, unpredictable figure reflecting a slice of Gen Z. Given how easily a character like that could have gone overboard, what was your approach to striking the right balance?

The trickiest part was getting the meter right. Luke PP is definitely a bit of a caricature, and the writing and making style leaned into that loud, over-the-top tone. If we pushed it too far, it could've ended up being unappealing or too distracting. Also, since real Gen Z folks might not behave like Luke, we took the satire route. It wasn't about realism, but finding that sweet spot in the exaggeration. I'd just wrapped Sookshmadarshini the day before joining Maranamass, and the former had a very subtle tone. The switch was pretty sharp, but once we figured out the rhythm, everything fell into place.