Not just Malayali viewers, even Bollywood awaits Georgekutty’s comeback for the third time. Director Jeethu Joseph opens up about his four films in 2025 film lineup.

Among those films, the first to release is Mirage. The movie name itself hides something curious. Could you tell us more about it?

Mirage is an emotional thriller featuring Aparna Balamurali and Asif Ali in lead roles. Though it fits into the thriller category, the emotional layer of the story plays a crucial role. Aparna plays the central character who goes on a journey in search of answers for certain queries. But as her investigation unfolds, she realises that what she believed to be true is not the actual problem at all. Like the title suggests, it’s a narrative built around illusions, like chasing a mirage.

Asif Ali plays a character who joins her along this journey. He’s a reporter who runs his own online news channel. Hannah Reji Koshy also plays a key role in the movie.

We started discussing the story around four to five years ago. Initially, we considered making it in Hindi. It’s a female-centric film, and even though there are powerful roles for male actors, the story clearly leans toward the heroine’s perspective. Many Bollywood actors stepped back because of this reason. That’s when we decided to return to Malayalam cinema with it.

I narrated the idea to Asif Ali, and he said, “If it’s a substantial character, I’m definitely in.” He liked the story and character, and that’s how we moved forward.

Though the story is set in Kozhikode and Coimbatore, we also shot in Karaikudi and Malayattoor. After Kooman, this is my next collaboration with Asif Ali. Mirage was truly a team effort, and that spirit will be evident on screen.

You’ve announced four films for 2025, including Drishyam 3. Isn’t that a heavy responsibility for a single year?

Yes, certainly it is a huge responsibility. But this wasn’t something I planned, it just happened. For example, Nunakkuzhi, which was released last year, had already completed filming the year before. In 2024, I didn’t shoot anything because I was entirely occupied with the preparations for Ram starring Mohanlal. So, the projects I had intended for 2024 were pushed to 2025. And since producers were patiently waiting, I couldn’t delay things further.

Mirage is the upcoming release. Valathu Vasathe Kallan is another thriller starring Biju Menon and Joju George. It’s one of the projects lined up for this year along with Drishyam 3, which is expected to begin filming by mid-September.

A legal drama rooted in a true incident, which stars Fahad Fazil in the lead role is waiting with its completed script. We’re planning to begin filming in December 2025. While a few possible titles are in mind, nothing has been finalised yet. The script was written by Advocate Shanti Mayadevi, who previously collaborated with me on the movie Neru. Authoring of the movie was completed around six to seven months ago.

Drishyam 3 has been eagerly awaited since its announcement. Rumours are buzzing among fans that both the Hindi and Malayalam versions are set to be shot simultaneously

Drishyam 3 is expected to begin filming by mid-September. The script is still in progress. I usually don’t begin shooting until I finish the screenplay. In fact, I was writing parts of it even this morning. People from Bollywood have indeed approached me for the Hindi rights and adaptation. They’re waiting for the script to be ready. There was even a proposal to shoot both the Hindi and Malayalam versions simultaneously, but no firm decisions have been made yet.

Initially, there were efforts to begin with the Hindi version, but they faced potential legal complications, so they had to step back.

I received many emails with suggested stories and twists for the movie, but without even reading I had deleted them. I don’t want my creative process to be influenced or distracted. When I finished Drishyam 2, I already had some thoughts about a possible continuation. Even when Lalettan watched Drishyam 2 at my home theatre, I think, because he interpreted the way I crafted the climax, he asked me if a third part was possible. Though I was not sure about what to say, at that time, I told him that if we ever went for another sequel, I wish for the climax of the movie to be crafted in a particular way. I shared my thoughts with him.

At that time I had said that if Georgekutty returns once again, the climax of the movie will be in a particular way. Lalettan liked it and asked me to have a try on it and if it comes right, let’s move ahead with the story and he left.

With the thoughts of the story brewing up in my mind, the occasion finally ended up in the story for the third sequel. It was the climax of Drishyam 3 that first came to my mind.