Actor Joju George, known for his famous roles in Nayattu and Irratta, is stepping into the director’s chair for the first time with his film Paani. The trailer has created anticipation for the film’s release on October 24. Prominent personalities from the Indian film industry like Anurag Kashyap, Karthik Subbaraj and Suriya have shared their excitement after watching the trailer. The entertaining family thriller ‘Paani’ will release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.

Anurag Kashyap expressed his appreciation for Paani on Instagram and described it as “a super confident directorial debut”. He compared it to some of the best works of the Korean new wave and described it as “powerful” and “absolutely unforgettable”. His words have added momentum to the ongoing discussion about Joju’s directorial debut. In response, Joju described Kashyap as his “inspiration” and highlighted the filmmaker’s influence on his career.

Karthik Subbaraj also praised the film, sharing the trailer on X and terming Paani as “a fantastic thriller” with “super intense performances”. The entertaining visuals of the trailer have raised expectations among fans, who are eager to see what Joju has to offer in his directorial debut.

Joining the conversation, Tamil star Suriya tweeted, “Loved the trailer! All the best for your directorial debut Dear Joju #Paani,” giving the film a pan-India appeal. With Suriya’s support, the film’s potential audience expanded beyond its Malayalam roots.

Paani stars Joju George in the lead role, with him also acting, marking his return to Malayalam cinema after a decade. Abhinaya, who has made her mark in Tamil and Telugu films, is ready to give another memorable performance. Joju’s journey from junior artiste to lead actor with films like Joseph and Madhuram gives significance to his directorial debut. Apart from Paani, Joju will be starring opposite Kamal Haasan in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life.