Malayalam cinema fans were sent into a tizzy recently after a social media post by director Chidambaram’s father sparked rumours of a collaboration with Mohanlal. But the ‘Manjummel Boys’ filmmaker has now put those speculations to rest—at least for now.
The Post That Sparked Speculation
It all started with a seemingly innocent post by filmmaker Satheesh Pothuval, Chidambaram’s father. Within hours, rumours were swirling that Chidambaram—who shot to fame with the blockbuster ‘Manjummel Boys’—was about to announce a project with none other than Mohanlal. Chidambaram’s father is a well-known filmmaker in his own right, and his social media post seemed to hint at a project, getting fans talking instantly. But the younger director clarified that his father’s post was likely misinterpreted.
Chidambaram, whose directorial debut became a massive critical and commercial success, has been on everyone’s radar since. Naturally, any hint of a collaboration with a superstar like Mohanlal was bound to create frenzy. In a recent interview with a Malayalam news channel, the young filmmaker finally addressed the chatter. He admitted he had no clue where the speculation came from. “I don’t know how the rumours about me making a film with Lalettan started. Someone must have said something somewhere and it spread,” he said. While he didn’t deny his admiration for the legend, he made it clear that no film is in development. “I have a huge desire to make a film with Lalettan. If I get the opportunity, I will definitely do it. But no discussions regarding such a project have happened.”
No Conversation With Mohanlal Yet
Here’s a twist that surprised many. Despite meeting Mohanlal on several occasions, Chidambaram revealed they have never actually had a proper conversation. “I have spoken with Mammookka but I haven’t spoken with Lalettan,” he confessed, drawing a contrast with his interactions with Mammootty. Interestingly, Chidambaram has met Mohanlal at various industry events but never struck up a conversation. He admitted that while he has had discussions with Mammootty, the same hasn’t happened with Mohanlal yet. It’s a surprising detail given how connected the Malayalam film fraternity is.
When pressed about what kind of film he would make with each superstar, Chidambaram kept his answer refreshingly focused on craft rather than commerce. “Lalettan and Mammookka are actors who can adapt to anything. Whatever character you give them, they can become that character. I believe that when casting them in a story, we should bring out the actors in them rather than the stars. That’s how I would like to collaborate with a star.” He clearly wants to tap into their acting prowess, not just their box office pull. Both actors, he feels, are in one of the finest phases of their careers right now.
Dream Projects and What’s Next
Chidambaram knows that directing Mohanlal comes with massive expectations. “If I bring Lalettan into a film, there has to be a massive impact. He has to twirl his moustache. If Lalettan is there, shouldn’t we give at least that much? His fans expect it. Lalettan’s films are celebrations,” he said, acknowledging the star’s mass appeal. For Mammootty, he has a completely different vision: “If Mammookka comes on board, I would like to do a revenge thriller.”
The director concluded by calling this phase of both actors’ careers one of their finest. Meanwhile, his immediate focus is on his upcoming film ‘Balan’, which is set to release on June 19th. ‘Balan’ is Chidambaram’s second directorial venture after the hugely successful ‘Manjummel Boys’. The film has already generated buzz and is expected to showcase his signature storytelling style. With an ensemble cast, it promises to be another compelling narrative. While fans will have to wait a little longer for a Mohanlal-Chidambaram collaboration, the director’s passion for working with the legend is undeniably real. If the opportunity ever arises, you can bet he’ll be ready to make that moustache twirl.