Latest news with #MalaikottaiVaaliban
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Antony Perumbavoor says it's ‘half true, half false' that he interferes with Mohanlal's script selection
Actor Mohanlal had a redeeming 2025, thanks to L2 Empuraan and Thudarum, after a disappointing 2024 with Malaikottai Vaaliban and Barroz 3D. There has often been chatter that it's filmmaker Antony Perumbavoor of Ashirvad Cinemas who has a huge role in the scripts the actor approves or rejects. In an interview with Matrubhumi, Antony clarifies if it's true. (Also Read: Thudarum director Tharun Moorthy reveals film took 12 years to be made after Mohanlal signed) Antony heads his own production company, Aashirvad Cinemas, founded in 1999. Since then, he has produced or distributed numerous films with the actor. When asked whether he interferes with Mohanlal's script selection, Antony acknowledges that there's some truth to these claims. However, he clarifies that he only does it in projects funded by his production house. He said, 'It's half true and half false that I listen to stories and take part in script selections. Lal sir and I hear all the stories of the films being considered by Aashirvad. I actively participate in discussions of those projects. On the other hand, Lal sir alone listens to stories of films by other producers; I don't participate in those discussions. It's so if those films get shelved or face setbacks, let it not be said that it's because I didn't like it.' Antony also added that they turn down numerous requests despite wanting to appease everyone, 'Many people want to do a film with Mohanlal sir, and their wishes are not bluntly turned down. We want to give everybody a chance. But we only have one Mohanlal sir, right? What can we do when so many people come looking for this one person? Not everyone ends up getting the chance to work with him.' Antony worked with Mohanlal as his chauffeur before putting up his production house. His first production was the 2000 film Narasimham with Mohanlal. He has since backed numerous films starring Mohanlal, including the famous Drishyam films, Lucifer franchise, and more. Hridayapoorvam and Drishyam 3 are in the works. Mohanlal will play a cameo in Vishnu Manchu's Kannappa. He will soon star in Hridayapoorvam, a yet-to-be-titled film by Mahesh Narayanan, which also stars Mammootty, apart from the delayed projects Ram and Vrushabha.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Tinu Pappachan's next film starts rolling
Tinu Pappachan has started shooting his next film, which features debutants in lead roles. The director confirmed the development in a social media post on Thursday, adding that a teaser will be released soon. Best known for his action-driven storytelling, this is Tinu's fourth directorial, following Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018), Ajagajantharam (2021) and Chaaver (2023). His last film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. Alongside his directorial work, Tinu continues to serve as chief associate director to ace filmmaker and his mentor Lijo Jose Pellissery, including the latter's most recent film, Malaikottai Vaaliban (2024), starring Mohanlal in the lead. Details about the upcoming film, including its title, genre and release schedule, have not been announced. Additionally, a sequel to Tinu's hit film Ajagajantharam was confirmed earlier last year. The current status of project, headlined by Antony Varghese Pepe, remains unknown.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Thudarum movie review: A top-form Mohanlal shines in fan boy Tharun Moorthy's gripping directorial
It has been a while since we were treated to a Mohanlal film that was an ode to the actor rather than the star. The recent films that were released like L2: Empuraan, Malaikottai Vaaliban and Barroz 3D, showcased Mohanlal, the star, and saw the Malayalam star in larger-than-life roles. Along comes director Tharun Moorthy, who is known for his realistic films. He features Mohanlal in a role that has a good character arc with emotional depth and is highly relatable. The end result is Thudarum which gives Mohanlal the room to display the actor in him which we all so love. Benz aka Shanmugam (Mohanlal), a former stuntman in cinema who used to work in Chennai, lives happily in Ranni, Pathanamthitta, with his wife Lalitha (Shobana) and two teenage kids. He drives a taxi - his beloved Mark 1 black Ambassador car – which was gifted to him by his Master (Bharathiraaja) when he arrived in Kerala, to make a living, while his wife runs a mill at home. Benz is devoted to his family and his Ambassador, and his world revolves around only these aspects. Unfortunately, one of his son's college friends decide to take the Ambassador for a joyride and end up in an accident. It goes to the workshop for repairs and ends up getting seized by the police who discover weed being transported in it by a workshop boy. A frantic and emotional Benz tries to retrieve his car from the police and finds himself caught up in a series of events that also affect his family in the process. What happens to Shanumugam? What does he get caught up in? Before the release of the film, director Tharun Moorthy, who's known for Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka, had stated that Thudarum was his effort to present Mohanlal aka Lalettan, the actor, and how he wanted to see Mohanlal on screen. Moorthy gives us Lalettan in the highly relatable character of a middle-aged neighbourhood taxi driver who loves his family and presents this in a simple small-town story. Yes, there are strong vibes of Drishyam as you watch the film – in Shanmugam and his family, and the way there is a shift in the narration from the family angle to an unforeseen terrible incident. The script by KR Sunil and Tharun Moorthy is well-written and tight, giving every character its due importance and also cleverly tying in the varying incidents and information they reveal in the first half of the film. While the first half of the movie is slower, the second half picks up pace with its twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The added pop culture references and self-trolling in the dialogues add flavour to the film as do the references to some of Lalettan's earlier movies. And Mohanlal has mass dialogues, too, to cater to his fans. The Malayalam actor as Shanmugam goes through a range of emotions from happiness to sorrow to anger and heartbreak and full props to the writers for ensuring that Lalettan had a truly meaty role to bite into in Thudarum. Mohanlal is in top-form in Thudarum and every scene he is in showcases the great actor that he is. His performance is flawless and the way he undergoes the character transformation on screen from the first half to the second is gripping to watch. Casting Shobana with Mohanlal after nearly 15 years is a coup, as the chemistry, especially in the emotional sequences, enhance the film tremendously. The others in the film including Binu Pappu and Prakash Varma have delivered strong performances as well. Thudarum is Mohanlal's 360th film and the technical crew has made sure it is a memorable one. The music by Jakes Bejoy, especially the BGM is outstanding, as is the cinematography by Shaji Kumar. Director Tharun Moorthy's Thudarum is a wonderful treat not just for vintage Mohanlal fans but for all audiences.
