Malaikottai Vaaliban

Malaikottai Vaaliban (transl. Hero of Malaikottai) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language period drama film[lower-alpha 1] co-produced and directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by P. S. Rafeeque. It was produced by Shibu Baby John for his maiden production house John & Mary Creative, along with Century Films, Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, and Amen Movie Monastery. The film stars Mohanlal in the lead role. The music was composed by Prashant Pillai.

Malaikottai Vaaliban
First Look poster
Directed byLijo Jose Pellissery
Written byP. S. Rafeeque
Produced by
StarringMohanlal
CinematographyMadhu Neelakandan
Edited byDeepu S. Joseph
Music byPrashant Pillai
Production
companies
Distributed byCentury Films
Running time
157 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Principal photography began on 18 January 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Plot

The story revolves around a former wrestling champion (Mohanlal) in his sixties. When his subordinates try to plot against him, he is forced to reveal his tragic past of how he became a wrestler and the champion in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Cast

Production

Development

On 25 October 2022, John & Mary Creative, the newly launched production house of former minister Shibu Baby John, announced their debut film which brought together director Lijo Jose Pellissery and actor Mohanlal for the first time.[2][7] The title was announced on 22 December. According to media reports, the film is a period drama in which Mohanlal portrays the role of a wrestler.[1] The film is produced along with Century Films, Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, and Amen Movie Monastery, and the screenplay was written by P. S. Rafeeque. Pellissery retained most of the technical crew from his previous films. Tinu Pappachan was appointed as the associate director.[8]

Casting

In November 2022, the team entered into discussions with actress Radhika Apte for the lead female role, according to reports.[3] There were also reports of Vidyut Jammwal and Rajpal Yadav being considered for roles in the film.[4] In December, Kannada actor and comedian Danish Sait confirmed that he would make his Malayalam cinema debut in the film, growing a beard for his role, which contrasts with his typical clean-shaven appearance.[5] Marathi actress Sonalee Kulkarni also made her Malayalam debut with the film, describing it as a "musical period drama".[6] In January 2023, reports suggested that the team was in talks with Tamil actors Kamal Haasan and Jiiva for two brief roles.[9] According to sources, Haasan declined the role to focus on his work in Indian 2.[10] Kannada actor Rishab Shetty dismissed reports about his casting, clarifying that although he was approached for a role, he turned it down in favor of a Kannada film.[11]

Filming

Principal photography began with a customary pooja function on 18 January 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Madhu Neelakandan was the cinematographer.[12] Majority of filming was done in Rajasthan.[13] Filming was shifted to Pokhran on 24 February.[14] The first schedule in Rajasthan was completed by April first week after a span of 77 days. The second schedule would start in May at Sree Gokulam Film Studios in Chennai.[15] It is reportedly planned to last 40 days.[16]

Notes
  1. Multiple sources call it a "period drama", but some also call it a "big-scale period drama".[1][2][3][4][5][6]

References
  1. "Mohanlal's film with Lijo Jose Pellissery titled 'Malaikottai Valiban'". The Hindu. The Hindu Bureau. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  2. "Mohanlal to collaborate with 'Jallikattu' director Lijo Jose Pellissery for new film". The New Indian Express. Express News Service. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  3. "Radhika Apte in talks for Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery film?". Cinema Express. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  4. Madhu, Vignesh (25 December 2022). "Danish Sait to star in Malaikottai Valiban". Cinema Express. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  5. S., Sridevi (28 December 2022). "Danish Sait gets serious for his first Malayalam film". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. Atulkar, Preeti (4 February 2023). "Exclusive! Sonalee: I am very excited for my Malayalam debut". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  7. Rajpal, Roktim (25 October 2022). "It's official! Mohanlal teams up with Jallikattu director Lijo Jose Pellissery for a film". India Today. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  8. "Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Malaikottai Valiban' goes on floors". The New Indian Express. Express News Service. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  9. "Kamal Haasan and Jiiva to do cameo roles in Mohanlal's 'Malaikottai Vaaliban'". The Times of India. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  10. "Are Kamal Haasan and Rishab Shetty a part of Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban?". CNN-News18. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  11. "Rishab Shetty turns down a role in Mohanlal's 'Malaikottai Valiban', here's why". The Times of India. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  12. "Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Malaikottai Valiban' goes on floors in Rajasthan". The Times of India. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  13. Srinivasan, Latha (18 January 2023). "Mohanlal plays wrestler in Lijo Jose Pellissery's Malaikottai Valiban, shoot starts in Jaisalmer. Exclusive details". India Today. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  14. മലൈകോട്ടൈ വാലിബന്‍ പൊഖ്‌റാനില്‍ [Malaikottai Valiban in Pokhran] (in Malayalam). Canchannels.com. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  15. "Lijo Jose Pellissery wraps up Rajasthan schedule of Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban". The Indian Express. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  16. "'Malaikottai Vaaliban' team to head to Chennai in May for the second schedule". The Times of India. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
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