Mohanlal, the superstar of Malayalam cinema, is all set to make his directorial debut with Barroz, a 3D fantasy film for children. The film is based on the novel Barroz: Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure by Jijo Punnoose, the director of India’s first 3D film, My Dear Kuttichathan (1984).
Barroz tells the story of a 400-year-old spirit who guards the treasure of Vasco da Gama and waits to hand it over to a true descendant of the Portuguese explorer. The film explores the maritime history of Portugal, Spain, Africa, and India, and the mythical being known as kappiri muthappan. Mohanlal plays the titular role of Barroz, while the film also features foreign actors such as Cesar Lorente Raton, Ignacio Mateos, Kallirroi Tziafeta, and Rafael Amargo in important roles. The film also stars Guru Somasundaram, Komal Sharma, Padmavati Rao, and Jayachandran Palazhy in supporting roles.
The film was produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. The cinematography was done by Santosh Sivan, while the editing was handled by B. Ajithkumar. The music was composed by Mark Kilian and Lydian Nadhaswaram. The film was shot in Goa, Kochi, Bangkok, and Chennai, with a major portion of the shooting taking place in 3D. The film underwent significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the production. The film was initially planned to be released in March 2023, but was postponed to December 2023.
Barroz is expected to be a visual spectacle that will appeal to the children and the family audience. Mohanlal, who has been acting for more than four decades, has expressed his excitement and nervousness about his directorial venture. He said that he took up the challenge of directing the film after getting the approval and guidance from Jijo Punnoose, who gave him the freedom to make changes to the story. He also said that he learned a lot from the experience of directing the film and working with the talented cast and crew.
Barroz is one of the most anticipated films of 2023, as it marks the debut of Mohanlal as a director. The film is also a tribute to the legacy of Jijo Punnoose, who revolutionized the Indian cinema with his 3D film in 1984. The film’s trailer is scheduled to be released in theatres along with Avatar: The Way of Water on December 16, 2022. The film’s poster, which was released earlier, shows Mohanlal in a medieval armor and holding a shield with the movie title on it. The poster has a dark blue background with a castle and a full moon, creating a mysterious and adventurous mood.
Barroz is a film that promises to take the audience on a magical journey to the world of treasure, history, and fantasy. The film is a dream project of Mohanlal, who has been passionate about cinema since his childhood. The film is also a gift to the fans of Mohanlal, who have been eagerly waiting to see him in a new avatar. Barroz is a film that will showcase the vision and creativity of Mohanlal as a director and an actor. The film is expected to be a milestone in the history of Malayalam cinema and Indian cinema.