Orthodhaval at 16:44, 23 February 2026

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{{short description|Indian filmmaker}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Fan POV|date=October 2024}}
{{Tone|date=October 2024}}
}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joshiy
| image = Joshi.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|07|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Varkala]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], India
| othername =
| years_active = 1978 {{endash}} present
| spouse = Sindhu Joshi
| occupation = Film director
| children = 2
}}

'''Joshiy''' (born 18 July 1952) is an Indian [[film director]] who works predominantly in [[Malayalam cinema]] and also directed [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Kannada]]-language films.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=P. K. Ajith |date=15 September 2011 |title=Quest for perfection |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2455824.ece |access-date=8 July 2012}}</ref>

Joshiy made his directorial debut in the 1978 film ''[[Tiger Salim]]'', but it was the 1980 film ''[[Moorkhan (film)|Moorkhan]]'' that was his breakthrough in Malayalam cinema. He is regarded as the pioneer of [[film noir]] and [[action thriller]]s in Malayalam.

==Early life==
Joshiy, the sixth child of Vasudevan and Gowri, was raised in [[Varkala]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], India, alongside his eight siblings—three brothers and five sisters. His father, Vasudevan, worked as a canteen operator at the [[Singapore Naval Base]] before returning to India to establish a cinema theatre, Varkala Sasi. Joshiy's father died when he was six years old, after which his elder brother Shashankan and brother-in-law Sreenivasan (who named him Joshy) took on family responsibilities and expanded the theater business by opening two additional theatres: Varkala Vasu and Attingal Gowri. Varkala Sasi hosted both film screenings and stage plays, providing Joshiy early exposure to art.<ref name="Mathrubhumi1">{{cite news |author1=Bhanuprakash |title='അന്ന് ജയൻ മാറിച്ചിന്തിച്ചിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ ഒരുപക്ഷേ, ജോഷി എന്ന ഇന്നത്തെ സംവിധായകൻ ഉണ്ടാകുമായിരുന്നില്ല' |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/director-joshiy-exclusive-interview-part-1-filmography-of-joshiy-1.8202170 |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=8 January 2023 |language=ml}}</ref>

Joshiy attended [[Sree Narayana College, Cherthala]], but left without completing his degree. Joshiy, who showed little interest in formal education, declined an offer from Sreenivasan to join the [[Pune Film Institute]], preferring instead to explore opportunities directly in the film industry. During college, he and his junior, [[Ratheesh]]—who would later become an actor—were recruited with 30 other students as [[junior artist]]s in the 1969 film ''[[Koottukudumbam]]'', appearing as spectators in a dance scene featuring [[Sheela]] and [[Sarada (actress)|Sarada]].

==Career==
In 1969, at the age of 20 and during his final year of college, Joshiy left school to pursue opportunities as an [[assistant director]].<ref name="Mathrubhumi1"/> He moved to Chennai to try his luck in the film industry and began his career working under renowned directors [[M. Krishnan Nair (director)|M. Krishnan Nair]] and [[J. Sasikumar]]. He also assisted [[Crossbelt Mani]] and he was the assistant director of [[Aanayum Ambariyum]] in 1978 film directed by [[Crossbelt Mani]]. He made his debut as director through ''[[Tiger Salim]]'', released in 1978. His next movie was ''[[Moorkhan (film)|Moorkhan]]'' which was followed by ''[[Raktham]]''. He directed [[Prem Nazir]], [[Srividya]] in ''Ithihasam''.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Following this, Joshiy directed many films including ''[[Kaahalam]]'', ''[[Sharam]]'', ''[[Karthavyam (1982 film)|Karthavyam]]'', ''[[Dheera]]'' and ''[[Aarambham]]''. In 1983, he collaborated with [[Mammootty]] for the first time, for ''[[Aa Rathri]]''. This was followed by ''[[Kodumkattu]],'' came out and a series of films including ''[[Bhookambam]]'', ''[[Kodathi]]'', ''[[Alakadalinakkare]]'', ''[[Muhurtham Pathnonnu Muppathinu]]'' and ''[[Minimol Vathicanil]]'' and ''[[Sandarbham|Sandharbham]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 1985, Joshiy directed ''[[Nirakkoottu]]'', based on the script by debutant [[Dennis Joseph]]. Joshiy, Mammootty, and Dennis Joseph continued working together with ''[[Nyayavidhi]]'', ''[[Shyama (film)|Shyama]]'' and ''[[Veendum]]''. He made his debut in Hindi films in 1984 and achieved national fame when he directed ''[[Dharm Aur Qanoon]]'' starring [[Rajesh Khanna]] in a double role along with [[Dharmendra]]. It had box office collection of {{INR|6.5 crores}} in 1984<ref name=":2">[https://archive.today/20130125205721/http://www.ibosnetwork.com/asp/filmbodetails.asp?id=Dharam+Aur+Qanoon Dharam Aur Qanoon - Starring Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, Jayaprada, Mazhar Khan, Vinod Mehra, Om Shivpuri, Danny Denzongpa, Supriya Pathak. Dharam Aur Qanoon's box...]</ref> and went on to become a hit at the Indian boxoffice.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219165002/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=19 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The films ''[[Veendum]]'', ''[[Nyayavidhi]]'', ''[[Aayiram Kannukal]]'', ''[[Sayam Sandhya]]'', ''[[Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku]]'' followed. In the same year, Joshiy directed ''[[New Delhi (1987 film)|New Delhi]]'' under Jubilee Productions which was a blockbuster and the highest grossing Malayalam film at the time ( his third Industrial hit ) and was a comeback film for [[Mammootty]]. In 1987, he directed [[Itihaas (1987 film)]], starring [[Raaj Kumar]] in the lead in Hindi, which was remake of Ithihasam. In 1988, Joshiy directed three films, all scripted by [[Dennis Joseph]] and [[Mammootty]] in the lead role - ''[[Dhinarathrangal]]'', ''[[Sangham (1988 film)|Sangham]]'' and ''[[Thanthram]]''. In 1989, he again teamed with [[Mohanlal]] for ''[[Naduvazhikal]]''. In 1989, Joshiy brought out a military film. ''[[Nair Saab]]'', completely shot in Kashmir, with [[Mammootty]] in the title role. ''[[Mahayanam]]'', his third film of the year. ''[[No.20 Madras Mail]]'' was released in 1990 with [[Mohanlal]] in lead role, followed by the investigation thriller ''[[Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu]]''. ''[[Kuttettan]]'' was his third film of that year. Joshiy's next film was ''[[Kauravar]]'' in 1992.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 1993, ''[[Dhruvam]]'' got released, followed by ''[[Sainyam]]'' in 1994. His debut into Telugu cinema was in 1994 through ''Angarakshugudu'', starring Rajashekhar and [[Meena (actress)|Meena]] in leading roles. In 1997 Joshiy brought out ''[[Bhoopathi (1997 film)|Bhoopathi]]'' with [[Suresh Gopi]] in the lead role. Joshiy joined with Gopi and [[Renji Panicker]] for ''[[Lelam]]'' and ''[[Pathram]]'' in 1997 and 1999. His next two films were ''[[Praja]]'' and ''[[Dubai (2001 film)|Dubai]]'' in 2001 which performed poorly at the box office.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} He took a break after these films. In 2004, Joshiy made a comeback with ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]'', this time [[Dileep (actor)|Dileep]] in the leading role and was followed by ''[[Mampazhakkalam|Maambazhakkaalam]]''. ''[[Naran (film)|Naran]]'' released in 2005 starring [[Mohanlal]], followed by ''[[Lion (Malayalam film)|Lion]]'' in 2006.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

His next films included ''[[Pothan Vava]]'' (2006) and ''[[July 4 (film)|July 4]]'' (2007) followed by ''[[Nasrani (film)|Nasrani]]'' (2007) and ''Janmam'' (2007). In 2008 he directed ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' bringing together almost all Mollywood actors. It was followed by the thriller ''[[Robin Hood (2009 film)|Robinhood]]'' in 2009. ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'' released in 2011, a multi-star film with [[Mohanlal]], [[Suresh Gopi]], [[Dileep (actor)|Dileep]] and [[Sarath Kumar]]. In 2012, he directed ''[[Run Baby Run (2012 film)|Run Baby Run]],'' another film with [[Mohanlal]] in the lead. It was followed by ''[[Lokpal (film)|Lokpal]]'' in 2013 and ''[[Salaam Kashmier]]'' 2014 with [[Jayaram]] and Suresh Gopi in lead roles. In 2015, Joshiy directed ''[[Lailaa O Lailaa]]''. After a four-year hiatus, Joshiy made a comeback with the hit movie ''[[Porinju Mariam Jose]]'' and also directed the 2022 film ''[[Paappan]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

==Personal life==
Joshiy is married to Sindhu. The couple have a son, Abhilash, and a daughter, Aishwarya, who died in a car accident in [[Chennai]] in July 2011. Abhilash is married to Varsha. Abhilash made his directorial debut with ''[[King of Kotha]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dulquer Salmaan announces two projects 'King of Kotha' and 'Othiram Kadakam' on his birthday |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2021/07/28/dulquer-salmaan-announces-two-projects-king-of-kotha-and-othiram-kadakam-on-his-birthday.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Writer
|-
| 1978|| ''[[Tiger Salim]]'' ||[[S. L. Puram Sadanandan]]
|-
| 1980|| ''[[Moorkhan (film)|Moorkhan]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |1981 || ''Ithihasam''
|-
|''[[Raktham]]'' || [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Kaahalam]]'' ||Joshy
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1982 || ''[[Aadharsam|Aadarsham]]''
| rowspan="3" |[[Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan]]
|-
|''[[Aarambham]]''
|-
|''[[Dheera]]''
|-
|''[[Karthavyam (1982 film)|Kartavyam]]'' ||[[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Sharam (film)|Sharam]]'' || rowspan="2" |[[Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan]]
|-
| rowspan="5" |1983 || ''Ankam''
|-
| ''[[Bhookambam]]'' ||[[Priyadarshan]]
|-
| ''[[Aa Raathri]]''|| [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
| ''[[Himam]]''||[[T. Damodaran]]
|-
| ''[[Kodumkattu]]'' ||[[Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan]]
|-
| rowspan="10" | 1984 || ''[[Kodathi]]''
| rowspan="3" |[[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Minimol Vathicanil]]''
|-
|''[[Sandarbham]]''
|-
|''[[Ivide Ingane]]'' ||[[Pappanamkodu Lakshmanan]]
|-
|''[[Alakadalinakkare]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Idavelakku Sesham]]''
|-
|''[[Inakili]]'' ||[[John Paul Puthusery|John Paul]]
|-
|''[[Piriyilla Naam]]'' ||[[Sheriff]]
|-
|''[[Umanilayam]]'' || [[Cochin Haneefa]]
|-
|''[[Dharm Aur Qanoon]]'' || B. R. Ishara, Bhushan Banmali
|-
| rowspan="7" | 1985 || ''[[Nirakkoottu]]''
|[[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
|''[[Iniyum Kadha Thudarum]]''|| [[John Paul Puthusery|John Paul]]
|-
|''[[Oru Kudakeezhil]]'' || rowspan="5" | [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Onningu Vannengil]]''
|-
|''[[Katha Ithuvare]]''
|-
|''[[Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki]]''
|-
|''[[Muhurtham Pathnonnu Muppathinu]]''
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1986|| ''[[Veendum]]''|| rowspan="4" | [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
|''[[Nyayavidhi]]''
|-
|''[[Sayam Sandhya]]''
|-
|''[[Aayiram Kannukal]]''
|-
|''[[Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku]]'' || [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
|''[[Shyama (film)|Shyama]]'' || rowspan="2" | [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1987 || ''[[New Delhi (1987 film)|New Delhi]]''
|-
|''[[Itihaas (1987 film)|Itihaas]]'' (Hindi film) || Gyandev Agnihotri
|-
|''[[January Oru Orma]]'' || [[Kaloor Dennis]]
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1988 || ''[[Sangham (1988 film)|Sangham]]'' || rowspan="6" | [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
|''[[Thanthram]]''
|-
|''[[New Delhi (1988 Kannada film)|New Delhi]]'' (Kannada film)
|-
|''[[New Delhi (1988 Hindi film)|New Delhi]]'' (Hindi film)
|-
|''[[Dinarathrangal]]''
|-
|''[[Antima Teerpu (1988 film)|Antima Teerpu]]'' (Telugu film)
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1989 || ''[[Mahayanam]]''|| [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
|-
|''[[Nair Saab]]''|| [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
|''[[Naduvazhikal]]''|| [[S. N. Swamy]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1990 || ''[[Kuttettan]]''
|[[A. K. Lohithadas]]
|-
|''[[Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu]]'' ||[[P. Padmarajan]]
|-
|''[[No.20 Madras Mail]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=No.20 Madras Mail song remade |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/no20-madras-mail-song-remade-news-malayalam-mdgjyujgcacsi.html |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>|| [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
| 1992 || ''[[Kauravar]]''|| [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1993 || ''[[Dhruvam]]''
| rowspan="4" |[[S. N. Swamy]]
|-
|''[[Airport (1993 film)|Airport]]'' (Tamil film)
|-
| rowspan="2"|1994 || ''Angarakshakudu'' (Telugu film)
|-
| ''[[Sainyam]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1997 || ''[[Lelam]]''|| [[Renji Panicker]]
|-
|''[[Bhoopathi (1997 film)|Bhoopathi]]''|| [[Dennis Joseph]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1999 || ''[[Pathram]]''
|[[Renji Panicker]]
|-
|''[[Vazhunnor]]''|| [[Benny P. Nayarambalam]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001 || ''[[Praja]]''|| rowspan="2" | [[Renji Panicker]]
|-
|''[[Dubai (2001 film)|Dubai]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004 || ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]''|| [[Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|Udayakrishna<br />Siby K. Thomas]]
|-
| ''[[Mampazhakkalam]]''|| T.A. Shahid
|-
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Naran (film)|Naran]]''||[[Ranjan Pramod]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
|''[[Pothan Vava]]''
|[[Benny P. Nayarambalam|Benny P Nayarambalam]]
|-
|''[[Lion (Malayalam film)|Lion]]''
|[[Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|Udayakrishna<br />Siby K. Thomas]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2007 || ''[[Nasrani (film)|Nasrani]]''|| [[Ranjith (director)|Ranjith]]
|-
|''[[July 4 (film)|July 4]]''|| [[Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|Udayakrishna<br />Siby K. Thomas]]
|-
|''Janmam''
|[[S. N. Swami]]
|-
| 2008|| ''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' || [[Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas|Udayakrishna<br />Siby K. Thomas]]
|-
| 2009|| ''[[Robin Hood (2009 film)|Robin Hood]]''|| [[Sachi-Sethu]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|2011 || ''[[Sevenes]]'' || [[Iqbal Kuttippuram]]
|-
| ''[[Christian Brothers (film)|Christian Brothers]]'' || [[Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas]]
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Run Baby Run (2012 film)|Run Baby Run]]'' || [[Sachy (writer)|Sachy]]
|-
| 2013 ||''[[Lokpal (film)|Lokpal]]'' || [[S. N. Swamy]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|2014 ||''[[Avatharam (2014 Malayalam film)|Avatharam]]'' || Vyasan Edavanakad
|-
| ''[[Salaam Kashmier]]'' || [[Sachi-Sethu|Sethu]]
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Lailaa O Lailaa]]'' || Suresh Nair
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Porinju Mariam Jose]]'' || Abhilash N. Chandran
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Paappan]]'' || [[RJ Shaan]]<ref name="times">{{cite news |last1=Soman |first1=Deepa |date=15 Feb 2021 |title=Suresh Gopi starrer 'Paappan' is Joshiy's next! |work=[[Times Of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suresh-gopi-starrer-paappan-is-joshiys-next/articleshow/80919745.cms}}</ref>
|-
| 2023 || [[Antony (2023 film)|''Antony'']]<ref name="Antony">{{cite news |last1=Movies |first1=SJP |date=15 Feb 2021 |title=Joju George's next with filmmaker Joshiy titled 'Antony' |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/joju-georges-next-with-filmmaker-joshiy-titled-antony/article66737088.ece/}}</ref> || Rajesh Varma
|-
|TBA
|JXUM
|Abhilash N. Chandra
|-
|}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0430782|name=Joshi}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joshiy}}
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]
[[Category:People from Varkala]]
[[Category:1952 births]]

Joshiy - Revision history

Orthodhaval at 16:44, 23 February 2026