Jeethu Joseph – Wiki, Biography, Age, Family

I recently had the opportunity to explore the journey of Jeethu Joseph, one of the most acclaimed contemporary filmmakers from Kerala. Through my research into his background and stellar career, I gained interesting insights into how this director became the master storyteller behind some of Malayalam cinema’s biggest blockbuster thrillers. In this post, I will be sharing details about Jeethu Joseph’s early life, education at FTII Pune, remarkable filmography, personal life and other fascinating facts.

Jeethu Joseph hails from the town of Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district of Kerala. He was born on November 10, 1972 in a Syrian Catholic family to parents V. Joseph and Leelamma Joseph. From childhood, Jeethu harbored a passion for filmmaking even though his father envisioned an engineering career for him. This passion led Jeethu to pursue a diploma course from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, which proved to be a turning point.

Here’s a quick look at Jeethu Joseph’s details:

Early Life and Family

Born in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district of Kerala, Jeethu Joseph grew up in a Syrian Catholic family. His father V. Joseph was a former MLA. Jeethu has a younger brother, and their family shared a tight bond. Though his father wanted him to pursue engineering, Jeethu was drawn towards films right from his school days.

Education

After schooling in Muvattupuzha, Jeethu earned a diploma in Film Direction from the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. His time at FTII helped him immerse in world cinema and hone his filmmaking skills. This strong foundation would guide his craft once he entered the film industry.

Career

Jeethu Joseph’s directorial debut was in 2007 with the Malayalam crime thriller Detective. Starring Suresh Gopi, the gritty police procedural earned critical acclaim. Thereafter, he helmed several acclaimed and commercially successful films like Memories (2013), Drishyam (2013), Life of Josutty (2015) and Oozham (2016).

However, it was Drishyam that catapulted him to fame. The thriller about an average man whose family is accused of murder became a sensational hit, with its Hindi remake also gaining success. Jeethu solidified his reputation with films like Ramaleela, Koode, The Body and Drishyam 2.

Jeethu is hailed for his mastery over the thriller genre. His films are known for taut screenplays, unpredictable twists, detailed characterizations and technically slick execution. He has frequently collaborated with acclaimed actors like Mohanlal, Prithviraj and Suresh Gopi.

With his pulse-pounding storylines and edge-of-the-seat thrills, Jeethu has redefined the thriller landscape of Malayalam cinema. The maverick filmmaker possesses a sharp understanding of human psychology and conflict that reflects in his narratives. Off-screen, he is known to be very down-to-earth and spiritual.

As he enters his 50s, Jeethu Joseph has tremendous goodwill among Malayalam audiences thanks to his exceptional filmography. He represents the new wave of filmmakers who have elevated Malayalam cinema to national and global success. Jeethu’s journey from Muvattupuzha to the pinnacle of filmmaking serves as an inspiration to aspiring storytellers everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed profiling this exceptional director. Let me know your thoughts on Jeethu Joseph and his thriller classics in the comments!