Nagarjuna and Suniel Shetty in Mohanlal’s Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham

Last week, director Priyadarshan officially announced his movie based on Kunjali Marakkar’s life with superstar Mohanlal. The movie titled as Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham is being planned on a huge canvas with a whopping budget of around Rs 100 crores. Aashirvad Cinemas will be funding the movie jointly with Dr Roy CJ’s Confident Group and Santhosh T Kuruvilla’s Moonshot Entertainment.

The makers have planned to start shooting on Kerala Piravi Day (November 1). Casting and other pre-production works are currently progressing. If reports are to be believed, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna and Bollywood star Suniel Shetty have been approached to play crucial roles in the movie. Priyadarshan has worked with both the actors and shares great rapport with them, so the possibility of them being roped in for Marakkar – Arabikadalinte Simham are high. We still wait for an official confirmation.

On the technical front, Priyadarshan had wanted the same set of technicians he worked with in the 1996 historical period-drama Kalapani. He had approached Santhosh Sivan for wielding the camera, but since the latter was busy with other commitments they have got the national award winning Tirru on board. The director has worked with Tirru in movies like Garam Masala, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Kanchivaram, Tezz, Geethanjali etc.

Priyadarshan is scripting Marakkar jointly with Ani Sasi, the younger son of legendary filmmaker IV Sasi. Sabu Cyril is the production designer. Some other leading technicians from India and abroad are expected to be associated with this project. Stay tuned to this space for more updates.