Basil Joseph EXCLUSIVE Interview: ‘It is always good to be alongside Tovino Thomas’

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Recently spotted gracing the silver screen in the film Ponman, which premiered on January 30, 2025 and continues to draw crowds at cinemas, Basil Joseph shared some intriguing insights about his movie, future ventures, and robust bond with Tovino Thomas of Minnal Murali fame, during an exclusive chat with TopMob.

Basil Joseph Interview

The movie trailer for Ponman showcased a story about dowry, an issue still contentious within our community today, yet employed comedy as its method of storytelling. Can you explain the development of this narrative and how did you become part of it?

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say it’s fascinating to explore an alternate perspective on topics like dowry and its challenges. Typically, we hear a predictable, dramatic narrative that comes from the women who have experienced the impact of these issues firsthand. However, what intrigues me is delving into less-discussed viewpoints, such as Ponman’s, offering fresh insights and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.>

Dowry can be understood as a kind of transaction that takes place when a woman is preparing for marriage. It’s not only about the bride-to-be who will experience the consequences of this tradition, but also her family members such as her brothers, father, and mother who work hard to accumulate money for her marriage and the dowry payment.

When a daughter is born, many parents often shape their careers and lifestyle choices around future marriage prospects and financial security for their child. In essence, they structure their financial strategies accordingly. This practice could be likened to an established system that’s been integrated over time.

Instead, let me rephrase that for you: What makes this film’s writing stand out is its unique perspective from the male victims, focusing on their experiences rather than portraying female tears. Consequently, these men devise strategies to acquire the gold connected to the bride’s dowry.

Additionally, there are instances where we delve into female viewpoints, yet it’s important to note that this isn’t like a classic tale of a male antagonist and protagonist, such as two characters in a film battling over a dowry. Instead, the narrative might follow a David versus Goliath-style conflict, but with both the ‘David’ and ‘Goliath’ being male figures.

In this project, you’re teaming up with Sajin Gopu from Aavesham, who was outstanding as Ambaan alongside Fahadh Faasil. This is your second collaboration with him since Jan-E-Man. Can you tell us about your experience working together?

Absolutely! I’m equally thrilled about it. You might be interested to know that our first acting gigs were in the same production, Jan-E-Man. I can’t wait to witness his development as an actor, just like you. Interestingly, he portrayed a character named Amban in Avesham, which is a beloved, humorous cult figure, quite distinct from his role in Jan-E-Man.

In the movie we’re discussing, Ponman doesn’t exhibit any similarities to Amban from Avesham in terms of character traits. Instead, he seems to inhabit an entirely distinct role – portrayed as the antagonist by Sajin. Interestingly enough, he shares a friendly bond with me too. If you recall, Amban was quite comical, but this fellow is more like a villain.

Given your well-known camaraderie with Tovino, both online and offline, especially those humorous instances of skipped handshakes, I’m curious about your experience working with him as a producer on the movie ‘Marana Mass’, since it is under his production. How has that been for you?

Sure thing. He’s not the type of director who constantly hovers over the set giving orders. Instead, he simply appreciates and takes joy in the creative process. To clarify, we don’t usually make many calls to the set for any specific reason or instructions.

His brother and companions handle the production aspects, but he’s consistently laid-back – then, now, and forevermore. There’s an easy camaraderie between us, whether on-set or off-, whenever we connect. The “handshake” universe, a current pop culture phenomenon, even includes our supposed missed handshakes, which fans often scrutinize closely.

It’s truly delightful to witness these sights. I’m always thrilled to be with Tovino, and his achievements make me joyful too. Since we both started our journey in the film industry together, it’s heartening to see us grow. Godha was essentially his debut as a leading character, which I had the privilege of directing.

Our bond traces back to its foundations, making it deeply ingrained and authentic, unlike a casual connection with someone who has achieved fame as an actor or director. To put it simply, we have grown together, which is the source of our strong emotional attachment. This bond follows us wherever we go, and we continually engage with each other.

We often feel like wide-eyed children encountering something new at social events or functions, marveling at everything as if it were our first time. This childlike wonder and curiosity is a constant part of who we are. In essence, we carry a bit of the spirit of an excited youngster within us.

I’m consistently thrilled about being with this company and the environment here, and I feel fortunate to contribute as an actor within this project. Anticipation for this movie fills me up, and it’s helmed by one of my longtime collaborators, Sivaprasad. He was instrumental in the Minnal Murali directorial team, so this is his first solo venture too. As a result, it carries a deeply emotional significance for him – making it all the more special to be involved.

4: In relation to Tovino, there’s news that the Minnal Murali universe is growing as the producers are creating a new film called Detective Ujjwalan. Are you aware of any future projects within this universe that you might be involved in, and have there been any whispers about collaborations with Mohanlal or Mammootty?

As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement about what might be next in the director’s pipeline! However, being a director myself, I’m sworn to secrecy regarding any upcoming projects at this time. All I can say is that I’m eagerly awaiting official announcements before I can share any details. So, for now, it’s all about getting ready for the Marana Mass project as an actor!

Additionally, I haven’t made any official announcements regarding collaborations with Mohanlal or Mammootty sir. The buzz about potential projects that frequently circulates on social media platforms like Twitter should be taken with a grain of salt as many details connected to them are speculative. Therefore, I can neither confirm nor deny anything at this moment.

Absolutely, every time something is confirmed, it’s followed by an official announcement – you can bet your last dollar on that! However, at the moment, there’s nothing new to share with you all. But hey, guess who’s making a comeback next month? None other than Marana Mass! As a die-hard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement!

As a seasoned performer, I’ve been fortunate enough to deliver one box-office smash after another, regardless of the movie’s genre. The consistent positive response from audiences has been truly gratifying. Reflecting on this streak of success, I find it invigorating and humbling at the same time. However, with each new project comes a unique set of challenges, and while I’m excited about what’s to come, there’s always a hint of anticipation when it comes to the release of my upcoming films.

Answer: I am thrilled to occupy the realm of a successful, versatile actor, often referred to in various ways. The joy I derive is immense, witnessing the affection from people. Mostly, I embody roles that resonate with the everyday man, making me the charming neighbor every girl dreams of having next door.

In a sense, I blend seamlessly with the community, just like a friendly neighbor’s kid. It’s a delicate, almost imperceptible realm as an actor and individual, to be adored so deeply by others. I am grateful for this fortunate circumstance.

Such an experience isn’t commonplace and happens infrequently for most people. It’s truly a privilege to find myself in this unique situation, and I am deeply thankful for it.

Since I now find myself under the constant expectation to select a movie that upholds consistency and meets certain standards, there’s always this pressure lingering. However, don’t fret about the figures or statistics; what truly matters is the appeal of the movie for you – its excitement, entertainment value, or relevance.

Up until now, I haven’t based my film choices on a specific plan. And, regardless of whether they succeed or not, I don’t intend to alter this approach.

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2025-05-28 13:38