Priyadarshan’s magnum opus Markkar: Arabikadalinte Simham starts rolling

‘Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham’, said to be the biggest Malayalam film, in terms of budget, has started rolling. The team kick-started the proceedings today with a customary pooja ceremony in Ramoji Rao Film City, Hyderabad. Director Priyadarshan, production Sabu Cyril, DOP Thirru and other crew members were present. This highly ambitious project is being planned to be made on a budget of around Rs 100 crores. Aashirvad Cinemas, Confident Group and Moonshot Entertainment are coming together for production.

The movie is based on the life of Kunjali Marakkar IV. Kunjali Marakkar was the title given to the naval chief of Zamorin of Calicutin the 16th century, whose duty was to protect the coast against the invading Portuguese army. Mohanlal, his son Pranav, Arjun Sarja, Suniel Shetty, Mukesh, Keerthy Suresh, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Madhu, Manju Warrier and Pooja Kumar are said to be part of the cast. Few British and Chinese actors will also be seen in the movie.

Marakkar’s crew includes some of the best technicians from India and abroad. Tirru has been signed as the cinematographer and music will be handled by three different composers. The makers have planned to start shooting by the second week of this month and wrap it up by mid-2019. The movie will be hitting screens only in 2020 as it demands extensive post-production works, which will be mostly done abroad