Kochi: Speculation and rumors regarding pervasive drug use within the Kochi film fraternity have been a hot topic of discussion. Now, acclaimed Malayalam director and actor Dileesh Pothan, known for his critically celebrated films like 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram', has addressed these allegations head-on, sharing his nuanced thoughts on the matter.

In a recent interview with The New Indian Express, when asked about the veracity of such statements, Pothan responded, "We don't know everyone. Like everywhere, there might be people who use them." He questioned the extent of the problem specific to Kochi's film scene, musing, "But for Kochi's film fraternity to have a special drug... could something like that exist?" However, he quickly added a pragmatic observation: "No, no, drugs are... if you use drugs, how long can you survive? If everyone uses them... there's a limit. There will be users, definitely. Society is significantly... they say it's being used everywhere. The statistics are scary to hear. What I'm saying is... in all of Kerala there are people who use them and they could be in film industry too" His statement suggests that while individual instances of drug use might exist within the industry, he doesn't believe it's a sustainable, all-encompassing phenomenon for the majority.

Pothan, who has directed three highly acclaimed films, two of which won National Awards, emphasized his grounded approach to success. "When successes come continuously, I have often felt that there's a possibility of us losing touch with our reality," he explained. He consciously makes an effort to stay connected to society and prepare himself for potential failures, possibly linking this philosophy to the ability to avoid pitfalls like substance abuse.

Known for his selective choices as a director, Pothan admitted that as an actor, he sometimes takes on roles for financial reasons, even if they don't fully align with his personal convictions or politics. "Yes, I have had to do that often," he confessed, acknowledging the practicalities of the industry.

Currently, Pothan is taking a break from acting to pursue a PhD programme in acting at the MG School of Letters, focusing on the topic of acting. He sees this academic endeavor as a way to stay refreshed and "a bit more original," reinforcing his commitment to maintaining a realistic perspective despite his celebrated career. This pursuit of continuous learning and staying connected to diverse age groups also reflects his consistent effort to remain grounded and avoid the isolation that can sometimes accompany immense success in cinema.