Four back to back releases for Mohanlal
It has been nearly eight months since a Mohanlal film has hit screens. His last outing Villain was released in October last year. Ending the long drought, the superstar is all set to make a strong comeback. He has got some exciting films coming up this year. Neerali, Kayamkulam Kochunni, Drama and Odiyan are his four films getting ready for release.
Neerali will be Mohanlal’s next to hit screens. The movie directed by Ajoy Varma is a survival thriller. Saju Thomas has scripted this movie which has Mohanlal playing the role of a gemologist. Nadiya Moidu, in her comeback movie to Malayalam, has been paired with Mohanlal after a three decade long gap. Dileesh Pothan, Nasser, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Parvathy Nair are also part of the cast. Neerali was initially scheduled for an Eid release on June 14 but got postponed to July 12 due to the Nipah outbreak. Santhosh T Kuruvilla’s Moonshot Entertainment is co-producing the movie jointly with John Thomas and Mibu Jose Nettikadan.
Kayamkulam Kochunni is one of the most awaited Malayalam movies of the year. The movie directed by Roshan Andrews stars Nivin Pauly as Kayamkulam Kochunni while Mohanlal plays an extended cameo as Ithikkara Pakki. Post-production works are currently progressing in full swing and the makers are planning to release the movie in August. Bobby and Sanjay have scripted the movie based on the life of legendary highwayman Kochunni. Mohanlal appears in a crucial juncture in the movie as Ithikkara Pakki. The combination scenes between Mohanlal and Nivin will be the movie’s major highlight. Gokulam Gopalan of Sri Gokulam Films is producing this big budget movie.
Another Mohanlal starrer which is gearing up for release is Drama. Ranjith is directing this movie which
according to Mohanlal is a kind of movie that has not been attempted before in Malayalam cinema. Mohanlal-Ranjith duo have delivered many memorable films in the past and so expectations are high for Drama as well. Unlike the duo’s earlier films, Drama will not have any superstar elements such as massive action scenes or dialogues. Ranjith has scripted it as a feel-good movie with good dose of humour, sentiments and family drama. The makers are planning to release the movie by September first week. MK Nassar and Maha Subair are jointly producing the movie under the banners of Lilypad Motion Pictures and Varnachithra Good Line Productions.
Mohanlal’s Odiyan is one movie that the whole Malayali cine lovers are eagerly waiting for. The movie starring Mohanlal is based on the lives of odiyans, whose stories are popular in Kerala’s folklore. It is a mass entertainer with elements of fantasy and magical realism. The movie is slated for release in October but the makers have already started the promotions. Odiyan hoardings have already come up in several parts of the state. Aashirvad Cinemas will be releasing the movie in Kerala through Max Lab release. Our sources within the industry suggest that the movie will have a grand release in over 400 screens in Kerala alone. Trade experts believe that Odiyan has a better pre-release hype than Pulimurugan. If the movie manages to live up to the expectations, it is certain to break all the existing box office records in Malayalam cinema.
