Joy Mathew

Joy Mathew is a multifaceted Indian film director, actor, playwright, and political activist, renowned for his contributions to both cinema and theatre. He gained significant acclaim for his performance in John Abraham's 1986 classic "Amma Ariyan," which was recognized as one of the Top 10 Indian films by the British Film Institute, marking a pivotal point in his acting career.

In 2012, Mathew transitioned into directing with his debut feature, "Shutter." This film intricately weaves a narrative around the unexpected events that unfold over two days and a night in Kozhikode. Its success was highlighted by its screenings at prestigious film festivals, including its Indian premiere at the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala and its international debut at the 9th Dubai International Film Festival. The film was honored with the Silver Crow Pheasant Award for Best Feature Film (Audience Prize) at the Kerala festival.

A prolific playwright, Mathew has penned over 20 plays in Malayalam, with notable works such as "Athirthikkal" (1989), "Sankadal" (1996), "Pretoria – 18 Oct" (1996), and "Chille 73" (1997). His contributions to literature and theatre have been recognized by the Kerala Sahitya Academy and the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy, with accolades for his plays in 1995 and 1996. Furthermore, he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for "Madhya Dharanazhi" in 1996, underscoring his impact on the arts in Kerala.