[3] Mathews was born in a Latin Christian family[4] on 18 February 1960 in Ernakulam, Kerala to Francis of the Poovankery house and his wife Mary.

His second work was a novel, Chaavunilam (Land of the Dead),[8] based on the coastal life in Kochi[9] and published in 1996 by DC Books,[10] which won the State Bank of Travancore award for the best novel.

[3] In 1991, he won the Kerala State Television Award for screen play, for the tele-series Sararaanthal (The Lantern), broadcast in Doordarshan.

[3] Several works followed, which included Dr. Harischandra (1994), Roses in December (1995), Charulatha (1999), Aathma (2000), Edayanum Mankidavum (2003), Megham (2004), Mantharam (2005), Aa Amma (2006), Pakalmazha (2009) and Daivathinu Swantham Devootti (2012), the last one winning State television award for the best Series.

[16] He has also won the script writing competition held nationwide by National Film Development Corporation of India, for Naattukaaryam, in 1993.

[2] Antichrist, a Lijo Jose Pellissery project, with Prithviraj, Fahadh Faasil and Indrajith in lead roles,[21] was put on hold after initial discussions.