Payyampally Chandu : Mammootty turns Chandu once again; Ranjith will be scripting this Hariharan directorial

It seems like historic period dramas are the current flavour in Indian cinema. After the enormous success of the Baahubali franchise, filmmakers across the country are coming up with period dramas that should be made on a wide canvas with massive budget.

Malayalam cinema itself has three such projects in the initial stages- Prithviraj’s Karnan, Mohanlal’s The Mahabaratha and debutant Sidhil Subramanian’s Chengazhi Nambiar. Now, we hear that another such project is also being planned in Mollywood.

Legendary filmmaker Hariharan is planning to make a movie on Payyampally Chandu, a chapter in the Vadakkan Pattukal (northern ballads) of North Malabar region. Hariharan is collaborating with writer/filmmaker Ranjith for this project.

Ranjith is currently working on the script of Payyampally Chandu. Hariharan revealed this bit of information recently while talking to media. He also gave hints that they are planning to make the movie with Mammootty in the lead.

Vadakkan Pattukal is not an unfamiliar theme for Malayali audience. There has been several movies right from the black and white days that were based on the characters from Vadakkan Pattukal. Most famous among them was Hariharan- MT Vasudevan Nair team’s Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha.

The yesteryear classic starring Mammootty as Chandu Chekavar, won him the National award for best actor that year. Mammootty immortalised the character in Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha so much so that it is even hard to imagine any other actor in that role.

Mammootty last worked with Hariharan in Pazhassi Raja, the all time blockbuster released in 2009. They share a great rapport with each other and hence chances are high that they will soon join hands for Payyampally Chandu. Stay tuned for more updates.