Dileesh Pothan's career began with a strong foundation in theatre arts, which influenced his approach to realistic acting in Malayalam cinema. He transitioned from television and short content to films, starting as an associate director for the 2010 film '9 KK Road' before emerging as a director and actor. His initial role was as a junior artist in the movie 'Chandranudikunna Dikkil' (1999). He has collaborated closely with filmmaker Aashiq Abu on several projects and gained recognition for his directorial work, including the acclaimed film 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' (2017) and 'Joji' (2021).