Basil Joseph is one of the rare talents who is equally successful behind and in front of the camera. As a director he gave India one of its most loved superhero films, Minnal Murali; as an actor he has become one of Malayalam cinema’s most dependable box office names. This guide to the best Basil Joseph movies covers both sides of his career.
Quick Profile
- From: Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, Kerala
- Directorial debut: Kunjiramayanam (2015)
- Best-known film as director: Minnal Murali (2021)
- Acting breakthrough as lead: Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022)
- Recent highlights: Sookshmadarshini (2024), Ponman (2025)
Table of Contents
Basil Joseph’s Journey
Basil grew up in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad and studied engineering before turning to film. He made short films that went viral online, then worked as an assistant director under Vineeth Sreenivasan on Thira (2013). That apprenticeship led to his first feature, and from there his career moved quickly. Unusually, he kept acting in small comic roles even while directing, building a fan base that would later make him a lead star.
Best Basil Joseph Movies as Director
1. Minnal Murali (2021)
Basil’s superhero film starring Tovino Thomas as a tailor struck by lightning was released on Netflix on Christmas Eve 2021 and became a national sensation. Its blend of village humour, emotional villain (Guru Somasundaram’s Shibu) and homegrown superhero mythology won Basil the Best Director award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Read our Minnal Murali review.
2. Godha (2017)
A sports comedy about a Punjabi woman wrestler (Wamiqa Gabbi) who comes to a Kerala village, with Tovino Thomas as the lead. Fun, warm and full of local colour, it proved Basil could handle bigger productions.
3. Kunjiramayanam (2015)
His debut, a quirky comedy set in a village called Desam starring Vineeth Sreenivasan, Dhyan Sreenivasan and Aju Varghese. It has since become a cult favourite for its meme-worthy humour.
Best Basil Joseph Movies as Actor
4. Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022)
Vipin Das’s satirical comedy about domestic abuse featured Basil as Rajesh, an insecure husband who meets his match in Darshana Rajendran’s Jaya. A surprise hit, it established him as a lead actor who could carry a film.
5. Sookshmadarshini (2024)
Opposite Nazriya Nazim, Basil played Manuel in M.C. Jithin’s clever neighbourhood thriller. His ability to switch between likable and suspicious kept audiences guessing. Read our Sookshmadarshini review.
6. Ponman (2025)
Jothish Shankar’s gritty drama about a gold agent trying to recover jewellery from a dowry deal gave Basil his most serious role yet. Many critics hailed the performance as a career-best. For awards news, see our Kerala State Film Awards 2026 coverage.
7. Palthu Janwar (2022)
A gentle comedy-drama about a reluctant livestock inspector in a hill village, produced by Bhavana Studios. It showed Basil’s skill in quiet, character-driven comedy.
8. Falimy (2023)
A road-trip family comedy in which a dysfunctional family travels to Varanasi. Basil’s performance as the frustrated eldest son earned praise.
9. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024)
Vipin Das’s wedding comedy co-starring Prithviraj Sukumaran was a major box office hit, confirming Basil’s star power.
10. Jan.E.Man (2021)
A dark comedy in which Basil plays a lonely man who throws himself a birthday party, only for it to collide with a funeral next door. Funny and moving.
11. Maranamass (2025)
A dark comedy thriller produced by Tovino Thomas, in which Basil played an eccentric young man caught up in a serial-killer mystery.
12. Supporting roles
Before becoming a lead, Basil stole scenes in films such as Joji (2021), where he played a police officer, and many comedies. Read our Joji movie review.
Basil Joseph Movies at a Glance
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Kunjiramayanam | Director |
| 2017 | Godha | Director |
| 2021 | Minnal Murali | Director |
| 2021 | Jan.E.Man | Actor (lead) |
| 2022 | Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey | Actor (lead) |
| 2022 | Palthu Janwar | Actor (lead) |
| 2023 | Falimy | Actor (lead) |
| 2024 | Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil | Actor |
| 2024 | Sookshmadarshini | Actor |
| 2025 | Ponman | Actor (lead) |
What Defines Basil Joseph’s Style
Rooted humour
Whether directing or acting, Basil draws comedy from small-town life — gossip, family pressure and village rivalries. His humour feels specific to Kerala yet connects widely.
Emotion inside entertainment
Minnal Murali is remembered as much for Shibu’s tragic love story as for its superhero action. Basil understands that audiences remember feelings more than set pieces.
Smart script choices
As an actor, he has picked scripts with strong concepts — satire, mystery, social drama — rather than relying on star image. That is why so many Basil Joseph movies have become sleeper hits.
How His Directing Shapes His Acting
Few actors understand a script from the director’s chair the way Basil does. As the Minnal Murali director, he learned how to balance comedy, emotion and genre thrills in a single film, and that instinct shows in the roles he accepts.
He seems comfortable letting the story lead, rather than demanding scenes built around his image. That makes him an ideal collaborator for younger filmmakers, and it explains why Basil Joseph films often feel tightly constructed even when they are modest in budget.
Where to Start With Basil Joseph Movies
| If you like | Watch |
|---|---|
| Superheroes and big entertainers | Minnal Murali |
| Social satire | Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey |
| Mysteries and thrillers | Sookshmadarshini |
| Serious drama | Ponman |
| Family comedy | Falimy, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil |
A good plan is to watch Minnal Murali first, then Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey and Ponman back to back to see how far his acting range stretches. For similar crowd-pleasers, browse our list of Malayalam comedy movies.
What’s Next?
Fans have long hoped the Minnal Murali director will make a sequel, and Basil has spoken about wanting to return to direction. Until official announcements are made, he remains one of Malayalam cinema’s busiest actors. Follow our upcoming Malayalam movies page for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which films has Basil Joseph directed?
The Basil Joseph films he directed are Kunjiramayanam (2015), Godha (2017) and Minnal Murali (2021).
What is the best Basil Joseph movie as an actor?
Many critics point to Ponman (2025) and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022).
Where is Basil Joseph from?
He is from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, Kerala.
Are Basil Joseph films suitable for family viewing?
Most of them are. Falimy, Palthu Janwar and Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil are light family comedies, while Ponman deals with heavier themes.
Did Basil Joseph win an international award?
Yes, he won Best Director at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Minnal Murali.
Conclusion
From viral short films to a pan-Indian superhero hit and a run of acclaimed performances, the best Basil Joseph movies show a filmmaker and actor who understands audiences deeply. For more details, see Basil Joseph on Wikipedia.
