Maranamass director discusses crafting unconventional dark comedy with Basil Joseph
Malayalam director Sivaprasad made his commercial cinema debut with the 2025 film 'Maranamass', produced by Tovino Thomas. The dark comedy thriller stood out for its unconventional storytelling. In a candid chat with IndiaToday.in, the debutant director opened up about how his latest Malayalam film - featuring Basil Joseph and an ensemble cast - came to life.Having previously worked on emotionally intense, genre-bound projects, he revealed that he had been waiting for something distinctly different."I had worked in different genres before my debut, but most of them were serious or emotionally driven. So, I couldn't find the right fit for a conventional film in the Malayalam industry. I was waiting for something unique, something offbeat. That's when Siju (Sunny), also the writer of the film, approached me with the core idea of Maranamass," the director shared.advertisementHe further added that the idea was so compelling that it naturally led him to collaborate with actor-producer Tovino Thomas.'When Tovino and I started discussing the script and potential casting, Basil Joseph's name came up. We weren't sure if he'd agree, but he came on board and it turned out to be one of our best decisions,' he said, praising Basil's unique comic timing.
Watch the trailer of 'Maranamass' here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia)Sivaprasad, acclaimed for multiple short films, continued, 'He brings a different wavelength of humour, and we were clear from the start that this wasn't a hero-centric film. It's an ensemble story where each character is equally important.'advertisement"That's what excited me - the idea itself demanded such characters," he added.The director initially envisioned the film as a dark genre piece, but as it developed, it took on a more experimental tone. 'It started as a dark comedy, but eventually, the film became a mix of genres with tonal shifts, especially in the second half,' he explained.Speaking about the cast, which includes Suresh Krishna, Rajesh Madhavan, Anishma, and others, the filmmaker expressed gratitude for the team's chemistry. "All the actors had a great sense of humour, which made a big difference. Their input was vital in shaping the comedic tone," he said. "Each character carried a thread of dark humour (laughs), which really worked in the film's favour, and helped me pull it off."He also confirmed that casting Siju in the film was his own decision. "He had experience in similar roles, and I knew he could bring the right energy," he said excitedly.'Maranamass' hit theatres on April 10. India Today reviewed the film, saying, "It tries to end on a high. However, due to one-too-many subplots, the viewers tend to get tired by the time they reach the climax, which is set in a dumpyard. Even there, you get a handful of funny moments. Not just Basil and JK, even Anshima's performance in that particular sequence adds to the hilarious quotient of the film."'Maranamass' is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
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