Confirmed: Arjun joins Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham
Priyadarshan’s magnum opus Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham with Mohanlal is getting ready to go on floors on Kerala Piravi Day (November 1). Pre-production works for the movie are currently underway. Massive set works are progressing in Ramoji Rao, Film City in Hyderabad. This epic film has been planned to be made on a budget of over Rs 100 crores. Aashirvad Cinemas, Confident Group and Moonshot Entertainment are jointly funding this movie.
As announced earlier by the makers, Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham is a multi-lingual and will have top actors from all major Indian languages. Mohanlal, his son Pranav, Prabhu and Suneil Shetty were already confirmed in the cast. Latest to join the team is Arjun Sarja, popularly known as ‘action king’. The veteran actor is has been signed to play a very crucial role in the movie.
Markkar – Arabikadalinte Simham tells the story of Kunjali Marakkar and Mohanlal plays the titular role. Kunjali Marakkar was the title given to the naval chief in the 16th century, to protect the coast against the invading Portuguese army. There were four key Kunjali Marakkars during that era. This movie’s story is reportedly based on the fourth Marakkar whose life apparently had the most interesting events.
According to director Priyadarshan, the characters of Arjun and Suneil Shetty are based on people who existed in real life. Since history has very few details about them, the makers have taken the liberty to present a fictionalised version. The movie will be a semi-fictious one with bits of history and imagination.
Seasoned actors like Madhu, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique and Renji Panicker have been roped in for supporting roles. The makers are in also talks with some non-Malayali heroines and an official announcement is expected to be made shortly. In the technical front, Priyadarshan has got Sabu Cyril to handle the production design. National award winner Tirru will be the DOP. Some other leading technicians from India and abroad will also be associated with this ambitious project.
