Mohanlal is set to join hands with Jude Anthany Joseph for a new Malayalam film, marking the veteran actor's first full-fledged collaboration with the Thudakkam director. Mohanlal announced the project on social media on Sunday, August 16, sharing a photograph with Jude and revealing that the film is planned for next year.
“Delighted to share that I’ll be joining hands with Jude Anthany Joseph for an exciting new film next year! More details coming your way soon!” Mohanlal wrote.
The announcement comes at an interesting juncture for both actor and filmmaker. Jude's latest release, Thudakkam, has been receiving a positive response at the box office and marks the acting debut of Mohanlal's daughter, Vismaya. Mohanlal himself makes a brief appearance in the film as Vismaya's mentor. While the cameo may have paved the way for their next collaboration, Jude had already revealed before the film's release that he had been hoping to work with Mohanlal in a more substantial capacity.
A collaboration long in the making
In an earlier conversation with Filmfare, Jude revealed that Mohanlal's role in Thudakkam was not part of his original screenplay. The actor agreed to feature in the film after listening to the narration, prompting Jude to revisit the character and expand it beyond the brief appearance he had initially envisioned.
The filmmaker has also spoken openly about his admiration for Mohanlal and his long-standing ambition to direct him. In fact, Jude had previously confirmed that a screenplay for a Mohanlal-led film was already in place, suggesting that their newly announced project has been in the works for some time.
For Jude, the project also represents his next major step after 2018: Everyone Is A Hero. Released in 2023, the survival drama about the devastating Kerala floods became a major commercial success and was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards.
What lies ahead for Mohanlal
The new Jude Anthany Joseph film adds to an already packed slate for Mohanlal. The actor is currently working on Athimanoharam, his second collaboration with Tharun Moorthy after Thudarum. Mohanlal plays a police officer in the film, which is expected to arrive in theatres on December 24. The production has also been shooting at locations including Sabarimala as it moves towards completion.
Mohanlal has also committed to L 367, his upcoming collaboration with Meppadiyan director Vishnu Mohan. The film is reportedly inspired by Operation Ganga, the Indian government's evacuation mission during the Russia-Ukraine war. A project with Priyadarshan is also in development.
Another major collaboration on the horizon is Nedumkandam Miracle, directed by Dileesh Pothan and written by Syam Pushkaran and Paulson Skaria. The project, which was officially announced in July, features an impressive technical team including cinematographer Shyju Khalid, composer Sushin Shyam and editor Saiju Sreedharan.
Meanwhile, National Award-winning filmmaker Krishand has also confirmed that he is developing a project with Mohanlal. With Jude now officially joining that list, the actor's upcoming filmography continues to bring together filmmakers from distinctly different creative worlds. For now, however, details about his collaboration with Jude remain under wraps, leaving audiences to wait for the title, genre, cast and crew to be unveiled.
Also Read: Thudakkam Beats Lokah to Record Biggest Worldwide Opening for a Female-led Malayalam Film
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