Rahul Sadasivan, the director of the critically acclaimed horror film Bhoothakaalam, is back with another horror drama with folklore elements. The film, which is yet to be titled, will star Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the lead role. The shooting of the film has started today at the historic Varikkassery Mana, a traditional aristocratic Namboothiri family house in Palakkad district.
Varikkassery Mana is a popular shooting location for Malayalam films and has been featured in several blockbusters such as Devasuram, Aaraam Thampuran, Rappakal, and Anandabhadram. The mana is known for its Kerala architectural style, intricate wood carvings, and a family temple complex. The film crew has obtained permission from the owners of the property to shoot there for a month.
Mammootty, who is currently busy with the post-production work of his action thriller Bheeshma Parvam, will join the team by the end of August or early September. The actor will play a mysterious character who is connected to the legends and myths of the region. The film will also feature some prominent actors from the Malayalam industry in supporting roles.
Rahul Sadasivan, who made his debut with Red Rain in 2013, has proved his mettle as a horror filmmaker with Bhoothakaalam, which was released on Amazon Prime Video earlier this year. The film received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for its realistic and nerve-wracking portrayal of a mother-son relationship haunted by a possible ghost. The film also won several awards at various film festivals.
The director has said that his new film will be different from Bhoothakaalam in terms of genre and style. He has described it as a horror drama with folklore elements that will explore the culture and history of Kerala. He has also said that he is excited to work with Mammootty, whom he considers as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema.
The film is produced by Anwar Rasheed under his banner Anwar Rasheed Entertainment. The music is composed by Rahul Raj, who has previously worked with Rahul Sadasivan in Bhoothakaalam. The cinematography is handled by Shyju Khalid, who has also collaborated with the director in his previous films. The editing is done by Vivek Harshan, who has won a National Film Award for his work in Jigarthanda.
The film is expected to release in 2024 on a major streaming platform. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project.