Drishyam 3, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, is slated to release in theatres on April 2, 2026. Directed by Jeethu Joseph, the film is set to serve as the concluding chapter of the franchise, and actress Asha Sarath has now revealed more details about it.
Drishyam 3 actor Asha Sarath on what to expect from Mohanlal starrer
Speaking to Club FM, Asha Sarath was asked whether Drishyam 3 would feature a climax similar to those of the first and second instalments. She said, “Of course. We are all supposed to be stunned by it, right? It is the kind of film that makes us sit on the edge of our seats.”
The actress further added that completing the film made her happy with the final result, which audiences will come to know only upon its release. She also clarified that, as always, the film will generate excitement among viewers.
More about Drishyam 3
Drishyam 3 is the upcoming instalment in the crime thriller franchise directed by Jeethu Joseph. The original film follows the story of Georgekutty, a middle-class man who leads a modest life with his wife and daughters.
Their lives take a drastic turn when Georgekutty and his family come under suspicion after Geetha Prabhakar’s son, Varun Prabhakar, goes missing. With several clues pointing towards Georgekutty’s involvement, the film explores the truth and how the family navigates an intense investigation.
Released in 2021, the sequel continued the narrative by exploring new dimensions of the story. With the third instalment, the franchise is expected to delve into yet another chapter in the family’s life.
Apart from Mohanlal, the third film will feature Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, Asha Sarath, Murali Gopi, Siddique, and several others reprising their previous roles. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on April 2, 2026.
In an earlier interview, Jeethu Joseph spoke about concluding the franchise with the third instalment.
Mohanlal’s upcoming films
Mohanlal is currently filming L366. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the cop comedy-action film will see the superstar portray a police officer named TS Lovelajan.
Apart from Drishyam, Lalettan will also play a pivotal role in the Mammootty-starrer Patriot, which is scheduled to release on April 23, 2026.
Actor Mohanlal’s mother, Santhakumari, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Ernakulam. She was 90. The actor, who was shooting in the city at the time, immediately headed back after being informed of her demise.
Santhakumari had been battling health issues for several years. About a decade ago, she suffered a stroke that resulted in paralysis and confined her to bed. Following this, she was shifted to Ernakulam so that she could undergo specialised treatment at a multi-specialty hospital. Since then, she had been receiving continuous medical care at home, with her condition remaining delicate over the years.
Family members said that she had limited mobility after the stroke but was attended to closely by caregivers and relatives.
Santhakumari was the wife of Viswanathan Nair, who passed away earlier. She had two sons, Mohanlal and Pyarelal. Her elder son Pyarelal died in 2000. The family is expected to perform her final rites at their residence in Thiruvananthapuram, with further arrangements to be announced.
Soon after the news broke, members of the film fraternity and several public figures began sharing condolence messages. Kamal Haasan posted a heartfelt note on social media that read, “Brother @MohanLal only you can console your self. Friends will stand by you as always. No amount of comforting can compensate a loss like this. Take care we all love you. (Sic)”
Director B Unnikrishnan also expressed his sorrow, recalling the warmth and care Santhakumari had shown him during his student days and noting the influence she had on Mohanlal’s life. Singer and close family friend M G Sreekumar shared his memories of her kindness and spoke about the affection with which she was looked after.
Condolences were also conveyed by several political leaders, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer. Veteran actor Mammootty was among those who personally visited Mohanlal’s residence in Ernakulam to pay his respects.
Alongside these messages, fans across social media platforms shared prayers and words of support for Mohanlal and his family, reflecting the wide regard in which the actor’s mother was held.
Trigger warning: This article mentions the death of an individual.
Malayalam cinema’s veteran actor and celebrated writer Sreenivasan passed away on December 20, 2025. The 69-year-old filmmaker succumbed to his ill health after battling a prolonged illness for several years.
As we remember his countless contributions to Mollywood, here’s a list of Malayalam films that celebrate his legacy and prove why he was truly one of the greatest screenwriters in India.
5 Must-Watch Malayalam Films Written by Sreenivasan on OTT
One of the greatest and most memorable films in the history of Malayalam cinema is Nadodikkattu. The film, penned by Sreenivasan, is based on a story written by the filmmaker duo Siddique–Lal.
The story follows Dasan and Vijayan, two youngsters struggling to lead stable lives due to their inability to secure jobs. As they find it tough to make ends meet, the duo decides to seek employment in Dubai by ferry.
However, their lives take a wild turn when the ferryman dupes them and takes them only to Chennai, catapulting them into a poverty-stricken situation. What follows is how Dasan and Vijayan manage to overcome their hardships, inadvertently landing themselves in several humorous predicaments.
The social relevance and the effectiveness of the film’s dialogues remain fresh in the minds of anyone familiar with Malayalam cinema’s pop culture. The movie was later remade in multiple languages, including Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu.
2. Vellanakalude Nadu (1988)
Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, M. G. Soman, Karamana Janardanan Nair, Sreenivasan, Maniyanpilla Raju, Jagadish
Vellanakalude Nadu is yet another gem in the long list of collaborations between Mohanlal and Sreenivasan. The film explores the story of Pavithran Nair, a small-time contractor.
The narrative focuses on his battles with the municipal corporation, petty politics, and the bureaucracy embedded within the system. As he navigates a new project while attempting to reconnect with his former lover, now an IAS officer, the story charts his transformation from a corrupt pawn of society into someone who exposes the system’s flaws.
In 2010, the film was remade in Hindi by Priyadarshan himself as Khatta Meetha, starring Akshay Kumar and Trisha Krishnan.
3. Azhakiya Ravanan (1996)
Cast: Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Bhanupriya, Kavya Madhavan, Biju Menon, Cochin Haneefa, Innocent, Rajan P. Dev
Director: Kamal
Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama
Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Where to watch: ManoramaMAX
Azhakiya Ravanan, starring Mammootty in the lead role, may not align with the sharp satire that defined much of Sreenivasan’s work. However, its emotional depth, especially in the culmination of its long-standing romantic thread, speaks volumes.
The film follows Shankar Das, a wealthy and boastful businessman who returns to his native village without revealing his true identity, hoping to reunite with his former love, Anuradha.
Persuaded by his friend and writer Ambujakshan, Shankar Das decides to finance a film and appoint a young director, Sharath, to helm it. However, he soon discovers that Sharath is Anuradha’s current love interest. The rest of the film explores the consequences of this revelation and questions whether old love will rekindle or give way to new beginnings.
Sandesam is a political satire infused with sharp black humor and remains one of the finest commentaries on Kerala’s socio-political landscape. The flick revolves around Raghavan, a retired railway employee who wishes to spend his remaining years in peace with his family.
However, his life is constantly disrupted as he is forced to mediate between his sons, who adhere to opposing political ideologies and frequently clash. The film effectively portrays family discord, financial struggles, and the absurdities arising from ideological extremism.
Over the years, Sandesam has come to be regarded as a cult classic and a benchmark for political satire in Indian cinema.
Udayananu Tharam is a satirical comedy-drama that humorously critiques the film industry and the hypocrisy within it. The movie narrates the story of Udayabhanu, an ardent cinephile and assistant director living in Chennai, who dreams of becoming a successful writer-director.
His scheming friend and aspiring actor, Rajappan Thengummoodu, shares the same space and ambitions. When Udayabhanu pens a brilliant screenplay, Rajappan steals the script and turns it into a film starring himself, eventually becoming a superstar.
As Udayabhanu faces personal and professional setbacks, his life takes a turn when he finally gets the opportunity to direct a film and settle scores with Rajappan (now Saroj Kumar) once and for all.
The films mentioned above are just a few of the many masterpieces written by Sreenivasan during his illustrious career. As the saying goes, legends never truly die, and this iconic writer-actor of Malayalam cinema will forever be remembered through his words and stories.
Pranav Mohanlal is gearing up this week for his upcoming movie Diés Iraé, directed by Bramayugam filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan. Following the recent unveiling of the film’s trailer, speculation has arisen about whether Mohanlal himself is involved in the project.
Is Mohanlal part of Pranav Mohanlal’s Diés Iraé?
The makers of Diés Iraé unveiled the trailer by changing their social media display pictures to red-toned versions of themselves. Interestingly, Mohanlal also followed suit, despite not being officially associated with the project in any capacity.
This sudden change on his social media handles has fueled speculation that Lalettan might be making a cameo appearance in the film alongside his son Pranav.
Moreover, several fans believe the makers may have dropped hints of the superstar’s voice being featured in the trailer. However, as of now, the team has not confirmed or commented on these rumors.
Watch the trailer for Diés Iraé:
Interestingly, Pranav had recently made a cameo appearance in L2: Empuraan, portraying the younger version of Khureshi Ab’raam in his 20s.
More about Dies Iraé
Diés Iraé (Latin for The Day of Wrath) is a mystery-horror thriller that follows the life of Rohan, a young musician who enjoys an affluent lifestyle despite his seemingly cursed family history.
As he gradually becomes convinced that his house is haunted by a supernatural entity, Rohan’s life spirals out of control, leading him to uncover dark secrets. What follows is his unexpected journey into the realm of the supernatural, where he confronts the horrors that await him.
Apart from the Hridayam actor, the film also stars Sushmitha Bhat, Jibin Gopinath, Jaya Kurup, Manohari Joy, and Arun Ajikumar in key roles. Diés Iraé is slated for a worldwide release on October 31, 2025, with paid premieres scheduled for October 30 in select locations, coinciding with Halloween and its eve.
Mohanlal’s upcoming films
Mohanlal is set to return to the big screen on November 6, 2025, with his fantasy period drama Vrusshabha. The Malayalam-Telugu bilingual features Samarjit Lankesh, Siddique, Srikanth, Nayan Sarika, Ragini Dwivedi, and others in pivotal roles.
Looking ahead, the veteran actor is working on Drishyam 3 and also has a cop comedy-drama, tentatively titled L360, in his lineup.
A fresh lineup of Telugu and Kannada movies is set to stream this week on OTT. If you’re wondering what to watch, here’s a list of releases ranging from romantic comedy dramas to crime actioners you need to check out.
5 Telugu and Kannada movies to watch on OTT this week:
Sundarakanda is a romantic comedy drama that follows Siddhartha, a man who is about to turn 40. A stubborn bachelor, he has 5 non-negotiable ideals for his life partner, making it nearly impossible for him to find love.
His life takes a surprising turn when he falls for Eira, a young student at the college where he works as a lecturer. But things get complicated when Vaishnavi, his childhood love, returns to his life. Whether Siddhartha finds his life partner is what the film is about.
Hridayapoorvam is a Malayalam language movie starring Mohanlal in the lead role, which will be available for streaming in Telugu and Kannada. The story revolves around Sandeep Balakrishnan, a wealthy businessman who runs a cloud kitchen in Kochi, Kerala. Despite success, he lives in emotional isolation, restricting anyone from entering his personal circle.
A few weeks after undergoing his heart transplant surgery, Sandeep is invited to Pune for the engagement ceremony of Haritha, the daughter of his heart donor. However, circumstances make him extend his stay with Haritha and her family.
As he develops a deeper bond with them, Sandeep slowly begins to understand the emotions tied to the heart he received, leading him down a path of self-discovery and healing.
Ghaati is an action crime drama starring Anushka Shetty, which was released in theaters on September 5, 2025. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the film is set to stream on Amazon Prime Video from September 26, 2025.
The film narrates the story of Sheelavathi, a fierce woman from a marginalized community forced into the illegal cultivation and trade of cannabis. Dreaming of a better future, she attempts to break free from the crime world by starting an independent business.
However, this rebellion brings her into direct conflict with the local cannabis syndicate, leading to devastating personal losses. Rising from grim circumstances, Sheelavathi embarks on a journey of vengeance and empowerment, becoming a legend in her community.
4. Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira (Telugu and Kannada-dub)
Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira (OKCK) tells the story of Aby and Nidhi, a couple about to get married. A day before their wedding, Nidhi reveals a recurring dream in which Aby arrives on a white horse.
Wanting to fulfill her dream, Aby arranges a white horse for his wedding entry. However, on the big day, the horse is startled by camera flashes, causing Aby to fall and slip into a coma.
The film follows what happens to Aby and his relationship with Nidhi as they navigate through uncertainty and hope.
Doora Theera Yaana is a Kannada-language romantic drama that revolves around Akash and Bhoomi, a young techie couple who have been in a relationship for over five years and are now planning to get married.
But just before starting their wedding preparations, they begin questioning their relationship and whether it is truly the right step. To put their love to the test, the couple decides to go on a road trip.
Whether the journey helps in saving their long-term relationship or pushes them apart is the emotional heart of the film.
Hridayapoorvam, starring Mohanlal and Malavika Mohanan in the lead roles, hit the big screens on August 28, 2025. Directed by veteran filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad, the movie is now gearing up for its OTT release.
When and where to watch Hridayapoorvam
Hridayapoorvam is slated to release on the OTT platform JioHotstar and will begin streaming from September 26, 2025. The streaming partner shared the official announcement via their X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Sharing the update, they wrote, “Ennu Hridayapoorvam, JioHotstar (From the bottom of the heart, JioHotstar). #Hridayapoorvam will be streaming from September 26 on JioHotstar.”
See the official update here:
Official trailer and plot of Hridayapoorvam
Hridayapoorvam follows the tale of Sandeep Balakrishnan, a wealthy and irritable businessman who runs a cloud kitchen in Kochi, Kerala. Despite his affluence, he lives in isolation and suppresses his emotions.
After undergoing a heart transplant surgery, Sandeep continues to dismiss the emotional significance of the organ, viewing it merely as a functional replacement. This mindset frustrates those who expect gratitude from him.
Weeks after his surgery, Sandeep is invited to Pune for the engagement ceremony of his heart donor’s daughter, Haritha. However, circumstances led him to extend his stay and live with Haritha and her family for a while.
As he spends more time with them, Sandeep gradually begins to understand the emotions tied to the heart he received, embarking on a journey that transforms his outlook on life.
Cast and crew of Hridayapoorvam
Hridayapoorvam features Mohanlal in the lead role, with Malavika Mohanan as the female co-lead. The romantic comedy drama boasts an ensemble cast of actors, including Sangeeth Prathap, Sangita Madhavan Nair, Siddique, Lalu Alex, Janardhanan, Baburaj, Nishan, Sabitha Anand, and many more in key roles.
Actors Basil Joseph, Meera Jasmine, and Althaf Salim also make cameo appearances.
The film, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, is based on a story written by his son and filmmaker Akhil Sathyan. The screenplay is penned by Sonu TP, with the project being bankrolled by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas.
Justin Prabhakaran composed the musical tracks and background scores, while Anu Moothedath handled the cinematography. Additionally, K. Rajagopal served as the editor.
Released for Onam 2025, Hridayapoorvam was well-received by critics, who especially praised the emotional core, soundtrack, and the performances by Lalettan and Sangeeth.
Looking ahead, Mohanlal will soon return to the big screens with his Telugu-Malayalam bilingual flick Vrusshabha, releasing in Diwali. The actor also has Drishyam 3 with Jeethu Joseph in the pipeline.
On August 2024, superstar Mohanlal had willingly resigned from the post of the president at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), days after the release of the Hema Committee report. In fact, the whole association was dissolved amid backlash and criticisms. Many claimed that it did not do much to protect artistes against harassment and sexual abuse. While Mohanlal had quietly resigned back then, he recently spoke about the aftermath.
In an interview with Asianet News, Mohanlal shared that he did not resign due to the criticisms faced by the association. He noted that he had a different reason to step down. Mohanlal further added that he resigned when he felt was the right time for him. He said, “I faced a lot of criticism. Suddenly, we became enemies to many people. But the resignations were not because of the criticism. I resigned when I felt it was time to put a full stop.”
Moreover, the actor stated that he hopes individuals who parted ways with AMMA due to differences would consider returning. The actor further added that he does not see his exit from the organisation as a “defeat.” He opened up about leaving as a “natural transition” which helped Shwetha Menon take over as president. Mohanlal also lauded the change of a woman taking up the most important role in the organisation.
When did Mohanlal serve as the president of AMMA?
For those unaware, the superstar served as the president for two consecutive terms. He was in the leadership position from 2018 to 2021 and 2021 to 2024. Interestingly, he was supposed to continue till 2027 but resigned midway. He also did not compete in the elections that happened in 2025.
What was the Hema Committee report?
Justice Hema Committee, formed in 2017, had released a detailed report on August 19, 2024. The report detailed horrifying tales of discrimination and sexual harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee comprised retired High Court Justice K. Hema, former actor Sharada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari.
The committee was officially formed after they came across a petition from the Kerala-based Women in Cinema Collective’s (WCC). The committee delved into issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry. Having said that, the WCC was also formed after a Malayalam actress spoke about being abducted and sexually assaulted in Kochi. The investigation for the case, conducted by Kerala Police, focused on Malayalam actor Dileep.
The Hema Committee report also noted that sexual favours have long been perceived as a means of gaining access to the Malayalam film industry. Moreover, the harassment experiences weren’t limited to actors but also affected women who worked as makeup artists, dancers, technicians and support members.
After the release of the Hema Committee report, many actresses from the industry opened up about the sexual abuse that they faced.
Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran are finally joining hands once again for the second installment of their film series Lucifer. The second installment called L2: Empuraan is now officially announced to release on March 27, 2024.
The official announcement made by the makers unveiled a special poster that featured a mysterious figure, donning a white shirt and has a red dragon symbol on his back.
See the official post by makers of L2: Empuraan
The movie L2: Empuraan marks as the second installment in the planned trilogy of the Lucifer series. The action film directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran would serve as both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 film Lucifer. The movie features Mohanlal once again as Khureshi-Ab’raam aka Stephen Nedumpally with an ensemble cast of actors like Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Saniya Iyappan, Arjun Das, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, and many more in key roles.
The 2019 movie was a political actioner that starts off with a power struggle after the demise of a prominent leader in Kerala. With various forces trying to subdue his apparent heir, things take a swift turn when they realize the person their dealing with is much more sinister than all of them.
Moving ahead, Mohanlal is also set to make his directorial debut with the movie Barroz. The upcoming movie is touted to be a fantasy flick that focuses on the story of a treasure guardian who is protecting the hidden treasure of Vasco da Gama for 400 years. The film also has actors like Maya, Cesar Lorente Raton, Kallirroi Tziafeta, Tuhin Menon, and Guru Somasundaram in prominent roles.
Moreover, the actor is also playing the lead role in the tentatively called L360, directed by Tharun Moorthy. The film was recently wrapped up with the director announcing the pack-up with a new post.
Furthermore, Mohanlal is also playing a key cameo in the movie Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu in the title role. The film also has actors Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Kaushal Manda, and more in prominent roles with Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Kajal Aggarwal also making special appearances.
Mohanlal’s Neru is delivering a thunderous performance at the box office even after Day 15. The courtroom drama captivates the audiences which surely becomes one of the primary reasons behind its consistent performance in the theaters.
Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Neru hit theaters on December 21, 2023, featuring Mohanlal in the lead role. The movie revolves around an advocate who makes efforts to get justice for a rape survivor. Not only was the movie hailed by the audience, but it also marked Mohanlal’s comeback.
Earning $336K on opening day, Neru has maintained its consistent box office performance since Day 1. The film collected $2.8 million in its first week. Knowing that Mohanlal’s film has not been released in all the belts yet, the performance seems more incredible.
Further, as of writing this, the movie holds a rating of 7.9/10 IMDB ratings with 94% likes from Google users.
Neru box office collection day 15: Mohanlal’s movie earns $4.6M
Neru is now moving towards Day 15 of release, which is also marked as the second Thursday in its theatrical run. According to the recent reports by Sacnilk, Neru earned around $72K on its 15th day.
The overall Malayalam occupancy of the film on its second Thursday is around 11.66% with mostly afternoon shows being taken. Talking about its overall collection, the stats revealed that Mohanlal’s film has earned around $4.6 million in its 15 days of theatrical run.
Additionally, the 5th Day of the movie’s release, which was also its first Monday, got the highest number of revenue with $468.4K on a single day.
It will be interesting to see how the remaining box office run of Neru unfolds in the upcoming days and what will be the total collection of the film.
Superstar Rajinikanth’s 73rd birthday recently became a joyous festival as colleagues and well-wishers flooded social media with warm wishes. Esteemed stars such as Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jr NTR, Dhanush, and others expressed their heartfelt sentiments, highlighting the iconic actor’s enduring influence in the Indian film industry.
Kamal Haasan’s heartfelt tweet:
A notable aspect of the celebration was Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth’s longtime competitor and friend, who tweeted in Tamil to extend his warm wishes. Despite the competition, their great relationship continues to be a testament to the friendship between these two legendary actors.
Mammootty’s Early Greetings and Potential Reunion:
Mammootty, who played a memorable role in Rajinikanth’s 1991 film Thalapathi, was among the first to convey birthday wishes. There are speculations about a potential reunion of the duo in Lokesh’s upcoming movie, Thailaivar-171.
Mohanlal’s Tribute to Kindness and Humility:
Mohanlal, another prominent superstar, shared heartfelt wishes, hailing Rajinikanth as a true embodiment of kindness and humility. This acknowledgement not only reflects respect within the industry but also recognizes Rajinikanth’s inspirational impact on millions of fans. They recently acted together in the blockbuster Jailer.
Jr NTR’s Admiration for Thalaivar:
Devara star Jr NTR, expressed his admiration for Rajinikanth on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the timeless charisma of the superstar. His message underscores the cross-industry appeal and the enduring inspiration that Rajinikanth provides for generations to come.
Dhanush’s whistle-worthy wishes:
Dhanush, a self-proclaimed Rajinikanth fan, took to social media to convey his wishes in a style reminiscent of the legendary actor’s on-screen persona. Known for his love of whistling for Rajinikanth, Dhanush’s short but powerful tweet added another layer of enthusiasm to the birthday celebrations.
Vishnu Vishal and Sivakarthikeyan Join the Celebration:
Vishnu Vishal, starring in the upcoming movie Lal Salaam, directed by Rajinikanth’s daughter, Aishwarya Rajinikanth, shared birthday wishes similar to Dhanush’s. His tweet, accompanied by a picture of Rajinikanth and his wife, Jwala Gutta, added a personal touch to the celebration. Sivakarthikeyan, inspired by Rajinikanth, expressed his wishes in Tamil, highlighting the enduring influence of the superstar on fellow actors.
The outpouring of wishes from South Indian superstars on Rajinikanth‘s 73rd birthday paints a vivid picture of deep respect and admiration for the legendary actor. As Rajinikanth continues to inspire and entertain, the love and support from his colleagues solidifies his legacy in the hearts of many.
Iruvar, the 1997-released Tamil period political drama, which is helmed by Mani Ratnam, has been considered one of the finest films ever made in this genre in Indian cinema. The movie, which is largely inspired by the lives of former Tamil Nadu Cheif Minister trio MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi, and J Jayalalithaa, is a must-watch for any movie lover. Mohanlal played one of the protagonists, Aanandan – a character based on the legend MGR, while Prakash Raj appeared as Thamizh Selvan, a role based on M Karunanidhi.
When Mammootty auditioned for the role of Thamizh Selvan in Iruvar
For the unversed, director Mani Ratnam was very keen to bring Malayalam cinema’s biggest superstars – Mammootty and Mohanlal together, for Iruvar. While Mohanlal was roped in to play the role of Aanandan, Mammootty was approached to essay Thamizh Selvan. The megastar even underwent an audition and screentest for the character, which was a very rare thing in Indian cinema, in those days. However, Mammootty decided to back out from the project reportedly because of the difficulty in pulling off his character’s dialogues – which were mostly poetic and written in pure Tamil.
Even though Mammootty was fluent in the Tamil language, the megastar understood that he might not be able to do justice to the heavy Tamil poems mouthed by his character by Thamizh Selvan. His keen interest in playing with the dialogues and voice modulation also prompted him to walk out of the project. The megastar reportedly also suggested director Mani Ratnam choose an actor who can easily pull off Tamil language in all its glory. Eventually, the role went to Prakash Raj, and he won a National Award for his performance in the film.
Mohanlal is one of the biggest superstars of South cinema. The actor is also the busiest actor, and has almost 5 movies in the pipeline. Now, the latest news is that Arjun Sarja wants to work with Mohanlal. The Action King hinted at his possible collaboration with Lalettan.
Arjun Sarja recently at a teaser launch event of Dhruva Sarja’s Martin, revealed that he wants to work with Mohanlal. The actor reportedly said that he already has discussed the project with Mohanlal. He also mentioned that the film will not take off anytime soon but assured that it will happen for sure. Arjun Sarja confirmed his project as a director with Mohanlal.
Arjun Sarja has previously worked in Mohanlal’s Malayalam period drama Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. The actor played the role of a warrior called Anandan in the pan-Indian film.
Upcoming films of Arjun Sarja and Mohanlal
Arjun Sarja is returning to direction after four years with an untitled movie, which also marks his directorial debut in Tollywood. He is launching his daughter Aishwarya Sarja as the female lead. Vishwak Sen was part of the film but due to several conflicts, he walked out of the film. A new lead actor is yet to be announced. Financed by Sriram Films International, Jagapathi Babu, and Prakash Raju are also playing crucial parts in the untitled drama.
Mohanlal recently wrapped up the first Jaisalmer schedule of Malaikottai Valiban, the upcoming action thriller helmed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. He is also playing a key role in Rajinikanth’s Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. The actor teamed up again with Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph for a new film titled Ram, for which the shoot is currently under progress. Trisha Krishnan is the female lead of Ram.
Mohanlal is all set to make his directorial debut with Barrozis which is currently in the final stages of its post-production and is slated to release this summer. Mohanlal will soon reunite with actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran for the highly anticipated film L2: Empuraan, which is a sequel to the duo’s 2019-released blockbuster outing, Lucifer.
Prithviraj Sukumaran is going through an excellent phase in both his acting and filmmaking careers, with some highly exciting projects in his kitty. The actor-filmmaker’s latest theatrical release Kaduva emerged as a massive box-office success. The movie, which is an ode to the vintage mass action films of Malayalam cinema, marked Prithviraj Sukumaran’s reunion with the senior filmmaker Shaji Kailas. The makers of Kaduva recently celebrated the massive success of the film in a grand event held in Kochi.
Prithviraj Sukumaran confirms Kaduva prequel
The leading man, who addressed the audience at the success bash of Kaduva, confirmed that the Shaji Kailas directorial will get a prequel very soon. Prithviraj Sukumaran, who played the central character Kaduvakunnel Kuriachan, revealed that the prequel will depict the story of Kuriachan’s father, Koruthu Mappila. For the uninitiated, the makers had hinted that Kaduva might get a sequel or prequel based on the character of Koruthu Mappila, by mentioning his daring and adventurous life in some of the film’s most important scenes.
Prithviraj reveals his wish list of actors for the role of Koruthu Mappila
At the event, Prithviraj Sukumaran also revealed his wish list of actors for the role of Koruthu Mappila. Interestingly, the actor-producer revealed that he wants to cast Mammootty, Mohanlal, or Suresh Gopi as the central character in the Kaduva prequel. However, Prithviraj also added that he might dye his hair and play the role of Koruthu Mappila, who is in his 60s if all the three superstars of Malayalam cinema deny the offer.
Meanwhile, the audiences who revisited Kaduva after the film got released on Amazon Prime Video, have noticed a painting of Koruthu Mappila in the film, which has an uncanny resemblance to megastar Mammootty. The film fanatics now believe that the veteran actor is already roped in to play the role in the Kaduva prequel, and are expecting an official announcement very soon.
About Kaduva
Kaduva, which marked director Shaji Kailas’s comeback to filmmaking after a long gap of 7 years, features Prithviraj Sukumaran in the role of Kaduvakunnel Kuriachan, a rich planter from the Kottayam district of Kerala. Vivek Oberoi played the lead antagonist in the film. Samyuktha Menon, Kalabhavan Shahjohn, Arjun Ashokan, Baiju Santhosh, and Alencier Ley Lopez appeared in the supporting roles.
