Pravinkoodu Shappu star Basil Joseph: I wanted to see how much I could fit in in the world of raw characters

After being part of six hits in 2024 including Guruvayoor Amabalandayil and Sookshmadarshini, it’s safe to say that actor Basil Joseph is among the most dependable actors in Malayalam cinema today. Before he takes a break for his upcoming directorial venture, the actor has three more releases in 2025 – with Sreeraj Sreenivasan’s Pravinkoodu Shappu hitting theatres on January 16, and Ponman and Marana Mass to follow.

In an exclusive interview with OTTplay, Basil explains why his character in the mystery thriller, which also has Soubin Shahir and Chemban Vinod Jose, was the most challenging role he has ever played, what the expectations of the audiences mean to him and more.

Also read: Sookshmadarshini star Basil Joseph: 'The success of my films has let filmmakers create varied roles for me' 

Are you now conscious of the fact that you are among the favourites of Malayali family audiences and does that also impact your choice of films?

I am definitely aware that the audiences have confidence in me and my films, and have a certain kind of expectations. But if I keep choosing movies only for a select kind of audience, then as an actor, I would be limiting myself. If you only keep playing endearing characters, you would be typecast. Moreover, you need filmmakers to consistently come with such roles, which doesn’t often happen. So, I don’t have that mindset that I would only do films for the family audience.

Also read: Sookshmadarshini review: Nazriya, Basil Joseph’s suspense thriller about neighbourhood snoops is a gripping outing 

What I want to do is to keep doing good films, while sustaining their expectations. I want to give a minimum guarantee to viewers, and I am continuously striving for that, be it when I listen to scripts or discuss and improve after I sign a film.

Also read: Sookshmadarshini OTT release date: When and where to watch Basil Joseph, Nazriya Nazim Fahadh’s film 

Your next film, Pravinkoodu Shappu, has a star cast featuring Chemban Vinod Jose and Soubin Shahir – who are known for their realistic, gritty roles. What did that combination do for you as an actor?

I have learnt the most from acting in this film. It’s a character for which I have taken maximum effort, to convincingly pull it off. Even during its dubbing, I had to spend days to get it right; it’s a police role that needed me to speak in a Thrissur accent. That said, it doesn’t follow the usual investigative thriller template and so, the police character needed a different mannerism. There are several other layers to the role as well – all of which made it exciting.

Also, when you are working with Soubikka and Chemban chettan, the thought is how do you stand toe-to-toe with them, even in terms of size. When I am portraying Chemban chettan’s opponent, I had to show that through my attitude more than my physique. Those were the challenges, and I wanted to see how I could fit in, with the image that I have, with people who play raw characters.

Tell us about working with your Pravinkoodu Shappu director Sreeraj Sreenivasan.

I had watched his short film Thoomba before listening to the script of Pravinkoodu Shappu. It IS one of the best short films in Malayalam that I have watched. So, when I read this script too, I was thrilled.

When he was directing too, his feedback helped me break out of my comfort zone. For instance, after a shot I was fine with, he would come and tell me he needed one more take. I would ask him why, and then he would suggest a few more ideas. That collaboration and feedback helped me a lot. I haven’t worked with another director who would give so much feedback. Other filmmakers would just move on to the next take, if they got what they wanted. Sreeraj would just keep on pushing us. He is a different character and his film too would have that flavour.

Is there a genre you could peg Pravinkoodu Shappu to?

It’s an investigation thriller; at the same time, it’s a dark comedy that also has drama. If you would say Sookshmadarshini is a suspense thriller, Pravinkoodu Shappu is a mystery thriller.

When you are a successful actor, your sphere of influence grows. Last year, you used that influence to drive relief efforts during the Wayanad tragedy. Now that you know you can bring change, how do you use your influence, as a celebrity and as a person, or do you not use it at all?

I am not someone who is keen on being too involved in social affairs; I’d rather just focus on my profession. In the case of Wayanad, it’s something that I have grown up seeing and hearing. Also, it’s my hometown. So, when something like that happened, I genuinely spoke out for support and also for changes. I didn’t do it because it’s my responsibility or because I was aware of my influence. But I knew that when I speak, it would get more visibility. That said, I don’t think I will continuously state my opinions and get involved. I don’t have that kind of exposure, nor am I that sort of person.

My life revolves around cinema and my family. And I try not to get involved anything else. But when I genuinely feel I have to, I do.

Also read: Ponman release date out: Basil Joseph’s film to hit the theatres in February 2025