I had enough of priest roles: Joy Mathew

Joy Mathew has done the priest act successfully in several films in the past, but apparently the actor has had enough of it.
From a bar owner to traveller and military man, he is picking roles which will see him in a totally new light these days. The actor speaks about his upcoming films, his approach to movies, how he feels about criticism and more.
You are not seen in priest roles anymore...
I did the good priest and the bad and felt that I am getting stereotyped in priest roles. I am not picking them anymore. I play a military officer in Pradeepan Mullanezhi’s Namukkore Akasham. It has a bit of romance as well, Sharbani Mukerjee is my love interest in the film. I will be seen in two get-ups in the film, and my younger version will be played by my son, Mathew Joy. Interestingly, in Manoj Aravindan’s Swargathekkal Sundaram, Mathew plays my son. I am a bar owner called Lopus Muthalali in the film, The incidents in the film happen within a day.
Your performance in Alif was brilliant but it didn’t get noticed...
Yes, I played a Muslim believer with progressive views. I was convinced about the character and enjoy playing such roles and being part of films which can bring about a social change. But sadly, the film wasn’t noticed as much as it should be.
What else is coming up?
Touchwood, plenty. In God Say, I play a radio station director, while Vinay Forrt is a new employee under my guidance. In Thomas Sebastian’s Jamunapyari, I am one of the four important characters who set out on a journey, with the other three being Neeraj Madhav, Chemban Vinod and Kunchacko Boban. I speak pakka Calicut slang in it.
I have a very interesting project coming up - Chirakodinja Kinavukal, a spoof. I play the rich woodcutter in it. It’s a Jose Prakash-like character, the head of an ancestral house. I also have Lailaa O Lailaa, Pathemary and My God awaiting release.
You are one of the few actors who belong to both the old and new school…
There is no such school for me. I treat everyone equally whether you are an intellectual, a layman or an auto driver. I don’t classify film people into old and new gen and so get along with all.
I am learning a lot from the newcomers as well.
Who are you more comfortable with?
With the seniors, because they have more clarity about what they are doing. The youngsters on the other hand have more passion than anything else. But at times this leads to loss of energy. They might shoot all night but the exhaustion will show on the actors. The seniors are used to shooting with film than in the digital format. They will automatically try to perfect a scene with as little retakes as possible.
Acting, inaugurations, campus visits, regular updates on Facebook… how do you manage it all?
There is my wife, my three children and my two dogs as well! (laughs) I sleep very little, as 24 hours is not enough to do all that I want to do. A few friends and I have a home for special children. Whatever I get from inaugurations I give to the school. I do my social networking while I travel. It energizes me as well.
How do you deal with criticism?
I enjoy all the ‘pling’ jokes about me. But needless criticism can be irritating. Someone wrote once in a film review — ‘Joy Mathew acted as he always does’. I want to ask him — is my acting and approach in Amen the same as in Munnariyippu? But I see more positive comments than the negative, and so am able to forget about the criticism.