Indian actor Joju George from Pani reflects on Mohanlal and Mammootty’s incredible power

Dubai: “Watching Mohanlal and Mammootty on the big screen was what first sparked my dream of becoming an actor,” says Joju George.

The actor-turned-filmmaker, who rolled out his directorial debut ‘Pani’ on the web streaming platform Sony LIV earlier this month, quickly clarifies that this isn’t just a polite nod to legends but a genuine reflection of their influence on his career.

“My fondest memories of Malayalam cinema are shaped by seeing it through their lens and the characters they brought to life. They inspired me to delve deeply into acting and filmmaking, and to this day, they are my benchmarks for greatness in our industry.”

Joju George began his journey in Malayalam cinema as a junior artist and served his time before he began getting meaty roles in thrillers like ‘Joseph’. He turned director last year with ‘Pani’, an actioner in which he played the lead. The film chronicled his life with his wife whose life gets disrupted when she gets sexually assaulted.

“When we started, there was no guarantee about how Pani would perform or be received critically. But for all the effort we put in, this is the best result I could have hoped for.”

The survival drama Pani was a challenging yet rewarding project for Joju. He spent two years meticulously planning and executing his vision.

“Every success comes with immense effort. In Kerala, we work within limited budgets, but we give everything we have. Pani was a survival test for me as a director and producer. By God’s grace, the audience has given it great acceptance,” he shares.

What sets Pani apart is Joju’s commitment to authenticity and detail. The film features 16 new faces, all handpicked by him from social media, friend circles, and recommendations.

“We trained them for three months before shooting. It’s a big responsibility to deliver a film with this level of preparation and budget,” he explains.

Joju made a bold choice by casting the specially-abled actress Abhinaya as his on-screen wife, a role that required immense emotional depth.

“Casting her was both a challenge and a privilege,” he shares. “The entire process demanded sincerity and thoughtfulness.”

One particular scene involving her character’s on-screen sexual assault has sparked intense debates about the portrayal of such violence, the male gaze, and the sensitivity required in filming such sequences.

 “Every scene had to deliver on all fronts—performance, technical precision, and narrative tone … In my eyes, every scene required an extraordinary amount of care to handle respectfully and authentically,” he reflects.

For Joju, cinema is deeply personal. “I love cinema. It’s an art form that I constantly study and seek to improve at. It’s not a gamble—it has to work. I think that’s why I’ve found success, but I still consider myself a student of this craft,” he says.

Unlike the conventional image of a leading man, Joju doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional hero. With his stocky frame, bulbous nose, unruly hair, and a scruffy appearance, he is far from the polished, suave archetype. Yet, there’s an undeniable sensitivity that shines through his presence, defying stereotypes associated with his imposing stature.

“Every film I work on teaches me what to do and what not to do. I’m obsessed with my work and believe that the only way to survive in this industry is by delivering good work consistently. If I don’t do well, there’s a good chance I will be an out of work actor. This industry respects success.”

Joju is equally pragmatic when it comes to criticism. “Pani is a product of my perspective and experience. If there’s constructive criticism, I welcome it. But if it’s something I don’t understand, I assume it’s coming from a bigger perspective than mine,” he says with a laugh. “At the end of the day, we all have limitations as artists. All we can do is work within them and keep growing.”

'Pani' is streaming now on Sony LIV