Lijo Jose Pellissery movies are unlike anything else in Indian cinema. Wild, noisy, earthy and often experimental, his films have divided audiences and dazzled festival juries in equal measure. From long single-shot sequences to stories about runaway buffaloes and funerals, he constantly pushes the limits of mainstream Malayalam cinema. This guide explains all ten of his feature films in order, so you know what to expect and where to start.
Key Points
- Lijo Jose Pellissery debuted with Nayakan in 2010.
- Angamaly Diaries introduced dozens of newcomers and a famous long-take climax.
- Jallikattu was India’s official Oscar entry and won him Best Director at IFFI.
- He has directed both Mammootty and Mohanlal in recent years.
Table of Contents
1. Nayakan (2010) and 2. City of God (2011)
His debut Nayakan is a stylised revenge thriller starring Indrajith, set partly in the world of Kathakali. It was not a commercial hit, but its visual style announced a bold new voice. City of God, released the next year, used a hyperlink structure to connect several stories in Kochi’s underworld, with Prithviraj, Indrajith, Parvathy and Rima Kallingal. Both films are rough around the edges but show the early ideas that later defined Lijo Jose Pellissery movies.
3. Amen (2013)
Amen was his breakthrough. Set in a fictional Kuttanad village called Kumaramkary, it follows Solomon, a shy clarinet player played by Fahadh Faasil, who must win a band competition to save his church and his love story. Indrajith’s mysterious priest and the magical realism, music and colour made it a cult classic. Many viewers still consider it the most joyful entry among Lijo Jose Pellissery movies, and a perfect starting point.
4. Double Barrel (2015)
Among Lijo Jose Pellissery movies, Double Barrel is the most playful, comic-book style gangster spoof starring Prithviraj, Indrajith, Asif Ali, Arya and Sunny Wayne. Two gangs chase a pair of precious stones in a world full of colour and absurd humour. The film failed at the box office, partly because audiences were not ready for such an experimental comedy. In recent years, it has gained a small cult following among viewers who enjoy his offbeat sense of fun.
Lijo Jose Pellissery Movies at a Glance
| Film | Year | Lead actors | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nayakan | 2010 | Indrajith | Stylish debut |
| City of God | 2011 | Prithviraj, Indrajith | Hyperlink structure |
| Amen | 2013 | Fahadh Faasil | Magical realism |
| Double Barrel | 2015 | Prithviraj, Arya | Gangster spoof |
| Angamaly Diaries | 2017 | Antony Varghese | Long-take climax |
| Ee.Ma.Yau | 2018 | Chemban Vinod | Dark funeral comedy |
| Jallikattu | 2019 | Antony Varghese | Oscar entry |
| Churuli | 2021 | Chemban Vinod, Vinay Forrt | Mind-bending forest tale |
| Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam | 2023 | Mammootty | Dreamlike drama |
| Malaikottai Vaaliban | 2024 | Mohanlal | Fable-like epic |
5. Angamaly Diaries (2017)
Of all Lijo Jose Pellissery movies, Angamaly Diaries changed his career most. Featuring around 86 newcomers led by Antony Varghese, it follows Vincent Pepe and his friends through love, pork business rivalries and gang violence in Angamaly. The film’s climax, an unbroken single shot of about eleven minutes during a church festival, became legendary. Its realistic local flavour and music made it a box office success and a reference point for many young filmmakers.
6. Ee.Ma.Yau (2018)
Ee.Ma.Yau is a dark comedy about a son trying to give his father a grand funeral in a coastal village, while everything goes wrong. Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinayakan and Pauly Valsan deliver memorable performances. Lijo won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director for this film, and it earned wide critical praise. It is one of the most acclaimed Lijo Jose Pellissery movies and a brilliant study of death, faith and community.
7. Jallikattu (2019)
The most famous of Lijo Jose Pellissery movies abroad is Jallikattu. In it, a buffalo escapes from a butcher in a remote hill village and the entire community goes on a frenzied chase. What starts as a simple hunt becomes a terrifying portrait of human savagery. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, won Lijo the Best Director award at IFFI and was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. Its sound design and chaotic crowd scenes are extraordinary.
8. Churuli (2021)
Churuli follows two policemen who go undercover into a strange forest settlement to catch a fugitive, only to find that time, language and reality behave oddly there. Chemban Vinod Jose and Vinay Forrt lead the cast. Released on SonyLIV, it sparked debates for its heavy profanity and puzzling ending. Many viewers watched it twice to understand its loops. It is the most challenging of all Lijo Jose Pellissery movies.
9. Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2023)
Starring Mammootty, the gentlest of Lijo Jose Pellissery movies, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, tells the story of James, a Malayali traveller who, after waking from an afternoon nap, suddenly behaves like Sundaram, a man from a Tamil village. Gentle, dreamlike and poetic, it is very different from his loud films. Mammootty’s performance won wide acclaim, and the film became one of the most celebrated Malayalam releases of the year.
10. Malaikottai Vaaliban (2024)
Malaikottai Vaaliban paired Lijo with Mohanlal for the first time. Set in an undefined time and place, it follows a wandering champion wrestler who defeats rivals across the land. Shot in Rajasthan with a theatrical, fable-like style, it received mixed reactions from fans expecting a mass entertainer. However, its visuals and ambition earned admirers. Read our Malaikottai Vaaliban trailer breakdown for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best Lijo Jose Pellissery movies for beginners?
Start with *Amen* and *Angamaly Diaries*, then watch *Ee.Ma.Yau* and *Jallikattu*.
Was Jallikattu India’s Oscar entry?
Yes. *Jallikattu* was India’s official submission for the Academy Awards.
Which Lijo film stars Mammootty?
*Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam* (2023) stars Mammootty in a dual-identity role.
What is special about Angamaly Diaries?
It features around 86 newcomers and an unbroken climax shot of about eleven minutes.
Conclusion
Lijo Jose Pellissery movies reward viewers who enjoy bold, unusual cinema. Begin with Amen and Angamaly Diaries for energy and fun, move to Ee.Ma.Yau and Jallikattu for festival-level brilliance, and save Churuli for when you are ready for a puzzle. His work with Mammootty and Mohanlal shows he can bring superstars into his world. For more director guides, read our Dileesh Pothan movies article and visit Wikipedia for his full filmography.
