He’s my mentor, but he made it easy: Shahi Kabir on directing Dileesh Pothan in 'Ronth'

Actor-director Dileesh Pothan and writer-director Shahi Kabir’s upcoming film 'Ronth' revolves around two police officers on a night patrol — but don’t expect the usual cop thriller.
“This isn’t a thriller. It’s about two people, their personalities, and how things unfold between them in a single night,” said Shahi Kabir. He and Dileesh Pothan shared insights about the film in an interview with Onmanorama, where they also discussed their creative process, casting choices, and how 'Ronth' differs from typical police narratives.

Shahi, who previously wrote 'Joseph' and 'Nayattu', said the seed of 'Ronth' was planted long ago, in what was actually his first script. “It never got made. But after 'Joseph' and 'Ela Veezha Poonchira', I revisited the idea and shaped it into this,” he said. Elements of the story are drawn from his own life and experiences in the police force.

Casting came together organically. While the script wasn’t written with anyone in mind, Shahi had narrated it to Roshan Mathew two years ago. When Dileesh came on board as the senior cop Yohannan, the film found its footing. “We didn’t cast based on image. It was about who fit best,” said Shahi.
For Dileesh, who has played police officers before, this character was different. “Earlier, I didn’t have any real reference. This time, I had a director who’s also an experienced cop,” he said. That meant no acting workshops — just learning through Shahi’s attention to detail. “Yohannan doesn’t have a fixed persona. He behaves based on who’s in front of him. That’s how experienced officers operate.”

Roshan’s younger cop, meanwhile, reflects Shahi’s own early days in uniform. “He reacts the way I used to — quick to anger, always challenging things. The contrast between the two men drives the story,” said Shahi.
The entire film unfolds across one night, focusing on subtle interactions rather than dramatic events. “This is a quiet film, full of small observations,” Dileesh said. “We’re not raising our voices or chasing anyone. We’re just watching these two men in their world.”

Directing Dileesh was both a challenge and a delight for Shahi, who had earlier assisted him on 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum'. “He’s my mentor,” Shahi said, “but once we started, he made things very easy.”
Dileesh noted that his performances are usually based on real people — not necessarily cops. “Sometimes it’s just someone I’ve seen around, someone whose body language fits,” he said.

Filming 'Ronth' came with its own hurdles. Shot entirely at night and often in pouring rain, the crew had to adapt constantly. One memorable moment was an unscripted action by Dileesh — walking off set to pick mangoes — which ended up making it into the final cut. “It worked better than what I’d originally planned,” laughed Shahi.

As someone who writes and directs, Shahi admitted it can be overwhelming. “You miss small links or logical gaps. Having a second writer really helps, but when that’s not possible, you just have to be extra careful.” Dileesh added that it's important to have someone to challenge your ideas: “You need someone to ask you tough questions — otherwise, you get too comfortable.”

Despite being another film about police officers, Ronth stands apart. “It’s not about an investigation or crime. It’s about the people behind the uniform — what they think, how they change,” said Shahi.

Asked about his first love — acting or directing — Dileesh didn’t hesitate. “Direction. Acting helps me earn and learn, but directing is where my heart is.”

Coming up next, Dileesh will be seen in 'Oru Durooha Sahacharyathil' and a film by Leo Thaddeus. Shahi hopes to venture beyond police dramas in the future. “But I don’t want to let go of the space completely. There are still so many human stories to tell within it.”