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Malaikottai Vaaliban
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Lijo Jose Pellissery
Written by	P. S. Rafeeque
Produced by	Shibu Baby John Achu Baby John Vikram Mehra Siddharth Anand Kumar M. C. Philip Jacob K. Babu
Starring	Mohanlal
Cinematography	Madhu Neelakandan
Edited by	Deepu S. Joseph
Music by	Prashant Pillai
Production companies	John & Mary Creative Century Films Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments Yoodlee Films Amen Movie Monastery
Distributed by	Century Films
Release date	25 January 2024 (2024-01-25)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Malaikottai Vaaliban (transl. Hero of Malaikottai) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language period drama film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by P. S. Rafeeque. It was jointly produced by John & Mary Creative (in their maiden production), Century Films, Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, and Yoodlee Films, along with Amen Movie Monastery. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role. The music was composed by Prashant Pillai.

Principal photography spanned approximately 130 days from January to June 2023, covering locations in Rajasthan, Chennai, and Pondicherry. Malaikottai Vaaliban is schedule to be released in theatres worldwide on 25 January 2024, coinciding with the Republic Day weekend.

Cast

• Mohanlal as Malaikottai Valiban
• Sonalee Kulkarni
• Hareesh Peradi
• Danish Sait
• Manikandan R. Achari
• Hariprashanth M. G.
• Katha Nandi
• Andrea Ravera
• Rajeev Pillai
• Jisshu Sengupta
• Manoj Moses
• Sanjana Chandran
• Suchithra Nair

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. The title was announced on 22 December. At that time, media reported that the film is a period drama in which Mohanlal portrays the role of a wrestler. 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. The film credits Shibu Baby John and Achu Baby John from John & Mary Creative, Kochumon Century from Century Films, Jacob K. Babu from Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, and Vikram Mehra and Siddharth Anand Kumar from Yoodlee Films as producers. Additionally, Amen Movie Monastery is also credited as a production company.

According to John, Malaikottai Vaaliban is a "complete action cinema". Mohanlal said that the film is made like a Western film and the story has no set time period.

Casting

Commenting on Mohanlal's casting, Pellisserry emphasized that, "this is a period film which demanded someone with the gravitas of Mohanlal". In November 2022, the team entered into discussions with actress Radhika Apte for the lead female role, according to reports. There were also reports of Vidyut Jammwal and Rajpal Yadav being considered for roles in the film. 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. Marathi actress Sonalee Kulkarni also made her Malayalam debut with the film, describing it as a "musical period drama".

In January 2023, reports suggested that the team was in talks with Tamil actors Kamal Haasan and Jiiva for two brief roles. It was later reported that Haasan declined the role as he wanted to focus on his work in Indian 2. Kannada actor Rishab Shetty dismissed reports about his casting, clarifying that although he was approached for a role, he turned down the role in favor of a Kannada film. In the turn of events, Mohanlal himself was cast in a second role that unfolds during the film's climax, originally considered for either Haasan or Shetty. Sanjana Chandran, a dancer and transwoman, secured a role in the cast and made her acting debut. Hareesh Peradi, Manikandan R. Achari, and Rajeev Pillai was also cast in undisclosed roles.

Filming

Principal photography for the film began with a customary pooja function on 18 January 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Madhu Neelakandan was the cinematographer. The majority of the film was shot in Rajasthan. The production was relocated to Pokhran, Rajasthan on 24 February for further shooting. After a span of 77 days, the schedule in Rajasthan was completed by the first week of April.

The second schedule was planned at Sree Gokulam Film Studios in Chennai. It was charted to last 40 days. The schedule began in early May, utilising sets built for the film. The film used more than 1500 extras on set. In addition to Chennai, filming also took place in Pondicherry. The second schedule lasted 50 days. Filming was wrapped on 13 June 2023. The film in its entirety was completed in approximately 130 days shooting.

Music

The original background score and songs were composed by Prashant Pillai, Pellisserry's regular collaborator. Screenwriter P. S. Rafeeque also wrote lyrics for the songs. The first single titled "Raakk" was released on 29 December 2023.

Release

In June 2023, John mentioned that although they had not finalized a release date, the film is scheduled for release by the end of 2023. In September, it was announced that the film would be released in theatres worldwide on 25 January 2024, coinciding with the Republic Day weekend. Beside Malayalam, the film would be dubbed and released in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil languages.

Marketing

The makers released a collectible poster autographed by Mohanlal and Lijo Jose Pellissery as well as a digital collectible as an NFT.

References

1. "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.
2. 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.
3. "Mohanlal's film with Lijo Jose Pellissery titled 'Malaikottai Valiban'". The Hindu. The Hindu Bureau. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
4. ^ "Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Malaikottai Valiban' goes on floors". The New Indian Express. Express News Service. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
5. ^ Indo-Asian News Service (19 September 2023). "Mohanlal-starrer 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' locks its release for January 25". Mid-Day. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
6. ^ ബി., രാഹുല്‍ (15 June 2023). "'മലൈക്കോട്ടൈ വാലിബൻ' ഒരു കംപ്ലീറ്റ് ആക്ഷൻ സിനിമ, 2023 അവസാനത്തോടെ തിയറ്ററുകളിൽ: ഷിബു ബേബി ജോൺ" (in Malayalam). The Cue. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
7. Correspondent (5 August 2023). "An epic blend of mass and class: Mohanlal on 'Malaikottai Vaaliban'". OnManorama. Retrieved 31 December 2023. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
8. "Radhika Apte in talks for Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery film?". Cinema Express. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
9. Madhu, Vignesh (25 December 2022). "Danish Sait to star in Malaikottai Valiban". Cinema Express. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
10. S., Sridevi (28 December 2022). "Danish Sait gets serious for his first Malayalam film". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
11. Atulkar, Preeti (4 February 2023). "Exclusive! Sonalee: I am very excited for my Malayalam debut". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
12. "Kamal Haasan and Jiiva to do cameo roles in Mohanlal's 'Malaikottai Vaaliban'". The Times of India. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
13. "Are Kamal Haasan and Rishab Shetty a part of Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban?". CNN-News18. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
14. "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.
15. Keralakaumudi Daily (5 June 2023). "വാലിബൻ 10ന് പാക്കപ്പ്". Kerala Kaumudi (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
16. ^ Ahammed, Najeya (15 June 2023). "Transcending Boundaries: Read exclusive interview with Malaikottai Valiban fame Sanjana Chandran". Indulge Express. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
17. Entertainment Desk (22 May 2023). "Mohanlal astounds fans with never-seen-before look in Lijo Jose Pellissery's Malaikottai Vaaliban; watch video". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
18. "Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Malaikottai Valiban' goes on floors in Rajasthan". The Times of India. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
19. 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.
20. മലൈകോട്ടൈ വാലിബന്‍ പൊഖ്‌റാനില്‍ [Malaikottai Valiban in Pokhran] (in Malayalam). Canchannels.com. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
21. ^ "Lijo Jose Pellissery wraps up Rajasthan schedule of Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban". The Indian Express. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
22. "'Malaikottai Vaaliban' team to head to Chennai in May for the second schedule". The Times of India. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
23. Team OTTPlay. "Lijo resumes shooting Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban. Details inside". OTT Play. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
24. Correspondent (15 June 2023). "Thankful to Lijo for considering me for 'Malaikottai Vaaliban': Mohanlal". OnManorama. Retrieved 19 June 2023. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
25. The Hindu Bureau (14 June 2023). "It's a wrap for Mohanlal-Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Malaikottai Valiban'". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
26. ANI (18 September 2023). "Mohanlal's 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' gets a release date, check out". Asian News International. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
27. "'Malaikottai Vaaliban' first reveal poster autographed by Mohanlal and Lijo Jose Pellissery". The Times of India. 5 November 2023.

External links

• Malaikottai Vaaliban at IMDb

• 2024 films
• Upcoming Indian films
• Upcoming Malayalam-language films
• Sport wrestling films
• Indian historical action films
• Films shot in Rajasthan
• Films shot in Chennai
• Films shot in Puducherry
• Films directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery