Basil Joseph, the dynamic film personality hailing from Wayanad in Kerala, is now a sought-after name across India. Thanks to the pathbreaking Minnal Murali — with Tovino Thomas in the lead — the film opened up new possibilities for the superhero genre in Malayalam cinema. Its impact is undeniable, setting the tone for future ventures and inspiring daring efforts like Lokah, led by Dulquer Salmaan and others, which is now smashing box office records.

Beyond being a proven director, Basil is also an in-demand actor — in fact, a bankable name in the Malayalam film industry. Particularly over the past few years, he has delivered a string of hits including Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Sookshmadarshini, and Ponman. Notably, all these roles have showcased his versatility, reinforcing his “boy next door” appeal.

However, what has now come to light is filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s candid revelation about Basil in a recent podcast. In the conversation, Kashyap disclosed that Basil had spent two years in Bollywood working on the proposed Shaktimaan superhero film — a project that ultimately never saw the light of day, exposing the challenges of the Hindi film industry.

“When I met Basil at an event, I asked him how he managed to take on such a wide variety of roles and responsibilities in just two or three years,” Kashyap recalled. “Basil told me that two years of his life were wasted on Shaktimaan. He even asked me, ‘God, how do you survive in that industry?’ And I told him, ‘I couldn’t — that’s why I stepped away.’ What he said reflected exactly how I’ve felt. That man lost two whole years.”

Shaktimaan was rumoured to have Ranveer Singh in the lead, with Basil attached to direct. However, after initial reports, no substantial updates followed, and it now appears the project remains indefinitely shelved.

Meanwhile, there were also reports suggesting Basil had pitched a separate superhero concept to Allu Arjun, although nothing has been confirmed.

Interestingly, when Basil announced the launch of his own production house last week, Ranveer Singh was among the first to congratulate him on social media. Singh commented on Basil’s Instagram post, to which Basil replied, “Bhai” — sparking light-hearted chatter and speculation among fans online.

While Shaktimaan remains in limbo, the episode sheds light on the enormous time, effort, and creative energy that filmmakers often invest in projects that never come to fruition — a harsh but common reality in the world of cinema. (With inputs from Agencies)