Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham slated as next Onam release

Priyadarshan’s magnum opus Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham with Mohanlal is set to go on floors on Kerala Piravi Day (November 1). Pre-production works for the movie are currently progressing at a brisk pace. It is an epic film planned to be made on a whopping budget of over Rs 100 crores. Aashirvad Cinemas, Confident Group and Moonshot Entertainment are jointly funding this movie.

Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas has informed that they are planning to release the movie for next Onam. Shoot will extend up to six months and since it is a VFX heavy film, post-production works will also take time. The makers are currently in the process of signing some of the best available technicians, both from India as well as from abroad.

Marakkar – 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. The story of Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham is reportedly based on the fourth Marakkar whose life apparently had the most interesting elements.

According to Priyadarshan, the movie will be a semi-fictions one with bits of history and imagination. While Mohanlal plays the fourth Marakkar, veteran actor Madhu is playing the first among them, named Kutyali Marakkar. Pranav Mohanlal will be essaying the younger part of Mohanlal’s character. Tamil actor Prabhu has also been signed to play a crucial role in the movie. The makers are also in talks with some Arabic and Chinese actors. In the technical front, Sabu Cyril handles the production design. For cranking the camera, Priyadarshan has got the National award winning Tirru on board.