All posts tagged: shaji kailas

Varavu movie review: Joju George shines in an otherwise dull revenge saga  | Movie-review News

Varavu movie review: Joju George shines in an otherwise dull revenge saga  | Movie-review News

7 min readHyderabadJul 16, 2026 05:26 PM IST There was a time when a Shaji Kailas film meant a specific thing in Malayalam cinema. It meant a larger-than-life hero, a powerful villain with a backstory worth caring about, heavy dialogues delivered with chest-thumping conviction, and action sequences that shook the single screens of Kerala. From Ekalavyan and Commissioner to Narasimham and Aaraam Thampuran, the director built a filmography across the 90s and early 2000s that defined what mass cinema looked like in the state. Then the industry moved on. New-wave filmmakers changed the grammar. Audiences changed their expectations. And Shaji Kailas seemed like a man out of time. Varavu, his new film with Joju George, is an attempt to prove that the old grammar still works. It does, but only in parts. The film is set in the tea plantation country around Munnar, Marayoor and Kanthalloor, where land ownership and estate politics are not just business but instruments of generational power. At the centre of it is Paulson, played by Joju George. He is a …

Mammootty, Shaji Kailas broke down after finding TS Krishnan dead at 33

Mammootty, Shaji Kailas broke down after finding TS Krishnan dead at 33

Aside from the testosterone-fuelled heroes, explosive dialogues, and social themes, director Shaji Kailas’ movies are remembered to this day for gifting Malayalam cinema with some of its most iconic villains. From Ekalavyan’s Swami Amoorthananda (Narendra Prasad), Commissioner’s Mohan Thomas (Ratheesh), The King’s Jayakrishnan (Murali), Aaraam Thampuran’s Kulappully Appan (Narendra Prasad), and FIR’s Narendra Shetty (Rajeev), to Narasimham’s Manappally Pavithran (NF Varghese), Valyettan’s Patteri Sivaraman Nair (Sai Kumar), and The Tiger’s John Varghese (Siddique), the list is long. Interestingly, alongside every supervillain, Shaji Kailas and his writers often lined up a couple of “side villains,” almost as menacing as their bosses, rendering the antagonists’ sides nearly invincible. Among the actors who frequently portrayed such characters in the director’s movies was TS Krishnan. Who was TS Krishnan? Aside from his ominous glances and sinister body language on screen, Krishnan also gained popularity for his stylish looks. While Shaji’s films often featured several supporting characters, Krishnan managed to find his way into the director’s heart as well, prompting Shaji to go above and beyond to help him during …

Suresh Gopi became Kerala’s superstar, Andhra’s supreme star with a film Mammootty rejected | Malayalam News

Suresh Gopi became Kerala’s superstar, Andhra’s supreme star with a film Mammootty rejected | Malayalam News

With yet another Drishyam movie becoming a blockbuster, social media is once again abuzz with discussions about how Mammootty missed out on such a massive franchise, one of the most popular in contemporary Indian cinema. Writer-director Jeethu Joseph wanted Mammootty to headline Drishyam (2013) and had even narrated its story to the megastar. However, the actor turned down the offer because he had too many projects on his plate at that time, and the role of Georgekutty eventually went to Mohanlal. Since then, Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal have created Drishyam 2 (2021) and, most recently, Drishyam 3 (2026). The first two instalments of the franchise have also been remade into multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, and have all emerged as massive successes. Must Read | Kattalan review: Antony Varghese’s actioner feels like a series of reels disguised as a film When Mammootty turned down Mohanlal’s career-defining blockbuster Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Mohanlal took on a film that Mammootty rejected and struck gold. In fact, director Thambi Kannanthanam and screenwriter Dennis Joseph’s …

Mohanlal blockbuster earned 22x profit, changed Malayalam cinema forever; and why it’s under fire today | Malayalam News

Mohanlal blockbuster earned 22x profit, changed Malayalam cinema forever; and why it’s under fire today | Malayalam News

5 min readKochiFeb 20, 2026 09:30 PM IST It’s doubtful Malayalam cinema will ever see a star reign over the industry for four decades again. Yet, Mohanlal and Mammootty have somehow managed to do it and continue flying high, unwilling to let go of their thrones any time soon. Not only have the two been commanding the box office for over 40 years, but they have also brought notable recognition to Kerala, with the most significant being Mohanlal’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award win and Mammootty’s three National Film Awards for Best Actor. The two have also delivered several blockbusters, playing a key role in the industry’s growth. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Among Mohanlal’s many superhits is an action drama that ushered in a new era in his cinematic journey. One of the biggest successes of his career, the movie grossed 22 times its budget, leaving thousands of jaws on the floor. While the film and its many punchy lines are still beloved by Malayalees worldwide, it has also, over the years, faced intense scrutiny for its …

Malayalam movies releasing on OTT this week: Vallyettan 4K, Partners, and more

Malayalam movies releasing on OTT this week: Vallyettan 4K, Partners, and more

Goutham S is a content writer at Pinkvilla with a passion for crafting compelling narratives. Outside of work, he … Goutham S is a content writer at Pinkvilla with a passion for crafting compelling narratives. Outside of work, he explores the realms of fiction and poetry, channeling creativity into his personal writing projects. A self-described introvert, Goutham enjoys the quiet solace of watching movies, historical documentaries, anime, and web series.  Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Mohanlal reflects on his decades-long camaraderie with Mammootty and how it inspired a culture of friendship among new-generation stars

Mohanlal reflects on his decades-long camaraderie with Mammootty and how it inspired a culture of friendship among new-generation stars

Mohanlal was recently seen at a press meet after the teaser of his much-awaited movie L2: Empuraan was unveiled. During his interaction with the media, the actor was asked about his long-lasting friendship with Mammootty and whether they fostered such a culture in Malayalam cinema. In response, the actor said, “We are all like a family. We are always in touch. There aren’t any written rules among us about doing such things; it just happens.” The actor was also asked about this in the context of director Shaji Kailas’ words prior to the re-release of the Mammootty starrer Valyettan. During an earlier interaction with the press, the veteran director revealed that he helmed the Mammootty starrer as a gift to the superstar for appearing in a cameo role in the Mohanlal starrer Narasimham. In the 2000 movie, Mohanlal played the lead protagonist, with Mammootty making a guest appearance as a lawyer. The iconic scene from the film is still considered a favorite among fans and pop culture enthusiasts. Moving forward, the two superstars are set …