
Alappuzha Gymkhana star Lukman Avaran: 'Tharun Moorthy called me for Thudarum but...'
Lukman Avaran is garnering praise for his power-packed performance as Antony Joshua in Alappuzha Gymkhana, which is currently available to stream on OTTplay Premium and Sony LIV. The young actor revealed in an exclusive interview with OTTplay that director Tharun Moorthy had called him to play a small part in the Mohanlal-led hit, but that did not pan out because he was getting ready for Khalid Rahman's sports drama. He went on to say that both films were filmed almost simultaneously.
Stream Malayalam's best action thriller such as Ajagajantharam, Chaaver and more on OTTplay Premium
Tharun's latest directorial Thudarum, starring Mohanlal, turned out to be among the highest grossers in Malayalam this year. Lukman starred in Tharun's debut directorial, Operation Java, and Saudi Vellakka, that are available on OTTplay Premium.
'Excited for both Operation Java 2 and Ajagajantharam 2'
The Saudi Vellaka star expressed his enthusiasm for the sequels of Operation Java and Ajagajantharam. "I cannot decide which one I find more exciting. My biggest break came from Operation Java, and Ajagajantharam is a Tinu Pappachan film," he remarked. Lukman continued by saying that although talks for Operation Java 2 had been held for a long time, Tharun's hectic schedule prompted the delay. "I am excited to collaborate with the filmmakers once more since they hold a special place in my life," he continued.
Lukman also featured in Ajagajantharam, starring Antony Varghese Pepe. Last year, there were rumours of a sequel to this popular action drama, much to the delight of moviegoers and Antony Varghese Pepe fans. Although there have not been many updates, sources indicate that the script is being worked on and that the project may begin by the end of 2025.
Additionally, Lukman disclosed that he has finished filming a brand-new Malayalam web series that will be available for viewing on Sony LIV and OTTplay Premium. "The post-production work of this project is ongoing and hopefully there will be an official announcement soon," he stated, adding that he is currently unable to provide many details about the series.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Ravie-Sargun Recall Their Romance After Watching Bade Acche Lagte Hain's New Season Promo
Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta get emotional watching the new Bade Acche Lagte Hain promo, recalling their own romantic journey as a couple. Love is in the air once again on Indian television, and it's not just the new season of Bade Acche Lagte Hain that's stirring hearts. Television's beloved couple Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta recently found themselves caught in a wave of nostalgia and romance as they watched the promo of the show's fresh season featuring the new on-screen pair, Rishabh and Bhagyashree. The promo of Sony Entertainment Television's Bade Acche Lagte Hain – Naya Season has already created a buzz with its youthful, heartwarming depiction of love. Rishabh and Bhagyashree, the new lead couple, have captured attention with their undeniable chemistry—drawing admiration from fans and fellow actors alike. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sargun Mehta (@sargunmehta) Among those smitten by the promo were Ravie and Sargun, the real-life power couple known for their enduring love story and successful television careers. The two took to Instagram to share a sweet and sentimental reaction, reminiscing about their own journey as a couple. In the post, they expressed how the budding romance between Rishabh and Bhagyashree reminded them of the early days of their relationship. Their reaction quickly won hearts online, with fans celebrating the intersection of reel and real love stories. Many commented on how Ravie and Sargun's enthusiasm brought even more charm to the upcoming show and added a touch of authenticity to the buzz around it. As Bade Acche Lagte Hain – Naya Season prepares to premiere on June 16, airing Monday to Friday at 8:30 PM on Sony Entertainment Television and streaming on Sony LIV, the romantic vibe is unmistakable. With the endorsement of one of TV's most admired couples, expectations from the new season are soaring. In a world that often craves feel-good moments and relatable stories, Bade Acche Lagte Hain seems ready to once again win over the hearts of viewers—and with a little help from fans like Ravie and Sargun, it might just become the season's biggest TV love story. First Published:


Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Her first film was a blockbuster, second had Prithviraj; but Akhila Sasidharan vanished after that: ‘We live in a time where…'
The chances of anyone making it big in cinema have always been significantly low. Not only is finding success in this field extremely difficult, but surviving and consistently getting work is also a herculean task, and only a few manage to build a truly fruitful career. Among the many actors who managed to break into the Malayalam film industry with a successful debut is Akhila Sasidharan. However, her story is not the same as that of many others who went field-out because of a lack of opportunities or back-to-back setbacks. Interestingly, her debut film Kaaryasthan (2010), directed by Thomson and penned by the hit screenwriting duo Udaykrishna and Sibi K Thomas, was a major blockbuster. Having made a name for herself in the television dance reality show Vodafone Thakkadhimi and as an anchor on the popular musical reality show Munch Star Singer Junior, Akhila was already a familiar face to Malayalam mini-screen audiences. Hence, her transition to the silver screen only amplified her fame, even though she was paired opposite the significantly older Dileep. However, this was also the era when Dileep reigned supreme at the box office, before he was accused of being the mastermind behind the 2017 actress assault case, and even his mediocre films found commercial success. Kaaryasthan was no exception. It went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2010. The following year, Akhila got the opportunity to star opposite the then-up-and-coming superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran in director Deepu Karunakaran's Teja Bhai & Family. Although the film was only an average grosser, it helped establish her as a bankable talent with decent acting potential. And then, suddenly, Akhila Sasidharan went MIA (missing in action). So much so that people stopped hearing about her or even thinking of her, until she recently made a return to the public eye by debuting on social media. Where had Akhila been for over a decade? What happened? The actor-dancer has finally opened up about her life post-Teja Bhai & Family, shedding light on what she's been doing since her brief stint in cinema. 'If you ask where I was, I was always around; engaged in creative activities. Now that I've reappeared on social media, people seem to have taken notice. We live in a time where your existence seems validated only by your presence online, which may be why people kept asking where I had disappeared to,' she shared during a recent chat with a Malayalam YouTube channel. Don't Miss | Ronth movie review: A solid police procedural led by Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew; but Shahi Kabir's usual problematic tropes persist Addressing the burning question of why she vanished after just two films, she said: 'There are many factors behind why certain films happen or don't. Cinema is a collaborative process, and a lot has to fall into place. Even after my two films, I remained active, appearing on several shows. Perhaps because there wasn't another film release after those two, people assumed I had disappeared.' Akhila also revealed that after her brief foray into films, she spent over five years in Mumbai, continuing her artistic journey. 'Though I started out as a Bharatanatyam dancer, I also trained in Kathak and began performing it extensively.' During the interview, she also addressed her single status and views on marriage. 'It just didn't happen. That's probably why I haven't got married. And if you ask whether there's any pressure to get married, the answer is no. If marriage is merely to fill some void, then I don't feel that way. But if it's to add something meaningful to life, I would certainly consider it (someday).'


Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Unni Mukundan reveals why there's ‘no chance' for Marco sequel, promises to bring ‘something bigger, better'
Malayalam action film Marco was a commercial success but was criticised for the violence in the movie. Now, fans who have been waiting for a sequel to the film might be disappointed to know that the lead star, Unni Mukundan, has rejected "any chance" of a sequel. (Also Read: Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan accused of beating up manager; police complaint filed: Report) On Saturday, Unni Mukundan took to Instagram and shared a video showing his weight loss transformation. In the comments section, a fan asked him about Marco 2, to which he replied, "Bro, apologies but I have dropped plans to continue the Marco series. Too much negativity around the project. I'll try my best to bring something bigger and better than Marco. Thanks for all the love and positivity. Cheers." On Sunday, the actor shared a montage of pictures of his character from Marco and wrote, "Hasta la vista, Marco. Best A-rated farewell song, dedicated to my most loved A-rated character." A fan commented, "Any chance for part 2?" To this, the actor responded, "Absolutely no chance." While some fans were sad about the news, others wished him luck for his upcoming projects. One of the comments read, "That's sad news, chetta." Another wrote, "Bro, tell the negative criticism to go. Forget it. Just release 2." Another said, "That's a shame. Let those who speak negatively lie there and say. You better get Marco down, man." Another wrote, "Need Marco 2 itself. If you have the courage, show it." A fan complimented the actor's performance and wrote, "Sir, your performance was brilliant Good luck, sir, we are waiting for another one." Helmed by Haneef Adeni and produced by Shareef Muhammed under his Cubes Entertainments banner, the neo-noir action thriller stars Unni Mukundan in the titular role, alongside Siddique, Jagadish, Kabir Duhan Singh, Abhimanyu, Shammi Thilakan, Anson Paul, Ishaan Shoukath, and Yukti Thareja in key roles. The film earned ₹102.55 crore worldwide despite facing criticism for the portrayal of violence. Producer Shareef Muhammed defended the film, stating, 'It is not cinema that should change, but our perspective.' He also pointed out that Marco wasn't the first film to portray violence, but added, 'I will not make any film that apparently promotes violence from here on.'