New Delhi: Actress Sai Pallavi, who has earned appreciation for her performances in South Indian films and is now making headlines for her role as Goddess Sita in Ramayana, is preparing to portray another powerful character on the big screen.
The actress will be seen playing an IPS officer in OM: Chapter 1 – Udhiram: The Blood Wood, starring Dhanush, Mammootty and Sai Pallavi. To help her understand the appearance and personality of a police officer, the film’s director, Rajkumar Periasamy, reportedly showed her photographs of Merin Joseph, a 2013-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre.
But who is Merin Joseph, and why has her journey attracted attention? From clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her first attempt to handling challenging policing assignments, here is a closer look at her career and achievements.
Merin Joseph Was a Visual Reference for Sai Pallavi’s IPS Role
According to a report by Indian Masterminds, director Rajkumar Periasamy revealed that he showed Sai Pallavi several photographs of IPS officer Merin Joseph to help the actress develop the look of her police officer character.
However, the director clarified that Sai Pallavi’s character is not entirely based on Merin Joseph. Her photographs were used only as a visual reference to help the actress understand the appearance and presentation of a real-life police officer.
While talking about Merin Joseph, the director described her as an outstanding police officer and highlighted that her professional journey was worth knowing.
Who Is IPS Officer Merin Joseph?
Born on April 20, 1990, in Kerala, Merin Joseph grew up in Delhi. She is a 2013-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre and has handled several important responsibilities during her career.
Merin completed her graduation in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She subsequently appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and cleared it in her first attempt, securing All India Rank (AIR) 189.
Her achievement at a young age marked the beginning of a career in which she took up several challenging assignments in policing and public service.
Served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kozhikode
Between 2017 and 2018, Merin Joseph served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Kozhikode, Kerala.
During her tenure, she handled several important responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining law and order in the region.
- Taking measures to prevent and investigate crimes.
- Handling cases involving missing persons.
- Working towards locating missing women and children.
Her efforts in tracing missing women and children earned her the Director General of Police (DGP) Commendation Disc, according to the information provided in the report.
Handled Security Responsibilities at 13 Railway Stations
After receiving recognition for her work, Merin Joseph took on another important responsibility in the Kerala Police.
She served as a Superintendent of Police (SP), overseeing security arrangements at 13 railway stations in the state. The assignment involved managing security-related responsibilities and ensuring better policing at railway premises.
Her career also included significant responsibilities during the devastating Kerala floods in 2018.
Merin Joseph’s Contribution During the 2018 Kerala Floods
During the 2018 Kerala floods, Merin Joseph worked at the State Monitoring Centre, contributing to the state’s response during the challenging situation.
Her work during the floods was recognised by the Kerala Chief Minister, who presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her contribution.
This assignment further highlighted her involvement in emergency-related responsibilities beyond routine policing.
Helped Bring a Rape Case Accused Back From Saudi Arabia
One of the notable cases associated with Merin Joseph’s career involved a 13-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted.
According to the report, she played a key role in bringing the accused back from Saudi Arabia to India so that he could face legal proceedings and be brought to justice.
The case demonstrated the importance of coordination and persistence in handling investigations involving accused persons located outside the country.
Where Is IPS Officer Merin Joseph Currently Posted?
According to the information in the report, Merin Joseph is currently serving as the District Police Chief of Kozhikode Rural in Kerala.
Her professional journey, which includes clearing the UPSC examination in her first attempt, handling law-and-order responsibilities, contributing during the Kerala floods and working on challenging criminal investigations, has brought her into the spotlight once again.
With Sai Pallavi preparing to portray an IPS officer on screen, Merin Joseph’s photographs have become an important visual reference for the film’s character preparation. However, the director has clarified that the character is not a direct portrayal of the real-life officer.
