Best Malayalam Movie Directors of Decade

The scope and films being made in Mollywood changed drastically over the past decade. The new ideas and thoughtful concepts from the new generation of filmmakers have been expanding the reach of Malayalam movies globally. Now, we bring you the list of the Best Malayalam Movie Directors in the decade.

List of Top 10 Best Malayalam Movie Directors of Decade

• Dileesh Pothan

Made his directorial debut with the 2016 comedy-drama, Maheshinte Prathikaaram Dileesh impressed everyone with his style of narration with the film. The film received the Best Feature Film in Malayalam at the 64th National Film Awards. For the same film, Dileesh won the Best Director Award at the 64th Filmfare Awards South. To date, Dileesh Pothan directed three films. 2017 released Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and 2021 direct OTT released( Amazon Prime Video) Joji are the other two films of the director.

• Aashiq Abu

Made his directorial debut with the 2009 film, Daddy Cool, to date, Aashiq Abu has directed 12 movies. His 13th film as the director titled, Neelavelicham is the filming stage. Apart from directing films, Aashiq Abu is also a noted actor in Malayalam. For his directorial films such as 22 Female Kottayam and Virus, Aashiq Abu won ‘Best Director Award’ for various state and National award categories.

• Alphonse Puthren

Alphonse Puthren made his directorial debut with 2013 released Malayalam- Tamil bilingual project, Neram. But he got National wide popularity with the 2015 released romantic love drama, Premam. Currently, Alphonse Puthren is working on two projects named Paatu and Gold with Fahadh Faasil and Prithviraj Sukumaran respectively.

• Lijo Jose Pellissery

Made his directorial debut with the 2010 film, Nayakan, to date, Lijo Jose Pellissery directed eight films. Currently, he is working on his ninth film, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam with Mammootty. For films like Ee.Ma.Yau, Amen, Angamaly Diaries, Lijo Jose Pellissery won several state, National and Filmfare awards.

• Jeethu Joseph

Made his directorial debut with the 2007 film, Detective, to date, Jeethu Joseph has directed fifteen films including the highly appreciated Drishyam series. He is currently busy with two projects named Ram and 12th Man. After the release of the 2013 film, Jeethu Joseph got a good identity in other languages such as Tamil and Telugu. The first installment of Drishyam was directed by Jeethu Joseph as Paanasanam in Tamil. Later, this year, he remade Drishyam 2 in Telugu as Drushyam 2. For Drishyam, Jeethu Joseph won several state and national awards.

• Venu

Started his professional career as a cinematographer with 1983 released Malayalam film, Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla, Venu worked in all the prominent Indian languages as a cinematographer. Later, he turned as the film director with the 1998 film, Daya. To date, Venu directed four films and his fifth film as the director named Kaappa is under the making process.

• Rajesh Pillai

Made his directorial debut with the 2005 film, Hridayathil Sookshikkan, Rajesh Pillai later directed films like Traffic (2011), Mili(2015), Vettah(2016), Traffic ( Hindi version). But unfortunately in 2016, Rajesh Pillai passed away due to a liver-related problem. His then under making film, Motorcycle Diaries was later left unfinished. Rajesh Pillai won many state and Filmfare awards for his work in films like Traffic, Mili, Vettah.

• Zakariya

Zakariya made his directorial debut with the 2018 film, Sudani from Nigeria. Later, be directed film titled, Halal Love Story in 2020. Apart from directing two films, Zakariya also produced films like Momo in Dubai and Ayisha. For Sudani from Nigeria, Zakariya won various state awards.

• Madhu C Narayanan

Madhu C Narayanan made his directorial debut with the 2019 film, Kumbalangi Nights. He is currently working on the script for his second film.

• Anwar Rasheed

Made his directorial debut with the 2005 film, Rajamanikyam, to date, Anwar Rasheed has directed seventh films. His last film, Trance which was released in early 2020 brought him good popularity among the audience across the country. Apart from directing movies, Anwar Rasheed even produced films like Bangalore Days, Premam, Parava and Trance. He is yet to make an official announcement regarding his next project.