Acclaimed Malayalam director Alphonse Puthren, who has made movies like the Nivin Pauly starrer Premam and Neram, has announced that he is stepping away from his filmmaking career. Puthren made this decision after being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Malayalam filmmaker took to his official Instagram page to announce his exit from films with a post. Puthren revealed that he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder recently, and added that he didn't want to be a burden to anyone. However, he assured his fans and supporters that he will continue to create music, videos, and short films, with a primary focus on delivering content through OTT platforms.