Operation Tral: Ratheesh Vega on why he chose a real-life militant attack in J&K for his debut directorial | Exclusive

Operation Tral lead actor Jayasurya and Ratheesh Vega reveal why they decided to reunite for a gripping war-action film that is based on true events

(From left) Ratheesh Vega, poster of Operation Tral and Jayasurya

A war-action film is not something that you would associate with music director Ratheesh Vega, known for composing melodies in movies such as Beautiful , Cocktail and Nammukku Parkkan. But for his debut directorial, Operation Tral, the composer-turned-filmmaker has chosen exactly that.

“Operation Tral is based on a terrorist attack that happened in Tral, Pulwama,” Ratheesh tells OTTplay, in an exclusive chat. “It’s inspired from true events. We have shifted the events that had happened in 2013 to 2018, where the film’s story unfolds. I have spent close to four years developing the script.”

Jayasurya: Always believed Ratheesh Vega could direct a film

The movie is centred around a significant encounter between the Indian Army and militants, and its title teaser featured a convoy being attacked and back-up being requested. According to the makers, Operation Tral will also shed light on the country’s security agencies and how they deal with terrorist threats.

Ratheesh had previously scripted Thrissurpooram, which also had Jayasurya in the lead. On reuniting for their upcoming film, Jayasurya tells us, “I have always told him that he could direct a film because whenever he has narrated a story to me, I could easily visualise it. So, when he came with Operation Tral and said he wanted to helm it, I was completely for it. It’s an interesting script based on true incidents and will also be mounted on a big scale.”

Operation Tral to release in December 2026

The team has allocated 120 days of the film’s principal photography with Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Coimbatore and various spots in Kerala being the key locations.

Ratheesh’s previous professional association with a war movie was for Major Ravi’s Picket 43 in whic h he had worked as a composer. Ask him why he decided to pick this genre for his debut and he says, “I have always loved watching war movies in theatres. People relate my music to the softer genre of films or at least that’s where I have got more opportunities, but as a filmmaker, you gravitate towards doing movies that you want.”

Operation Tral, which will also have him handling its music and background score, will be released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi in December 2026.

Also read: Aadu 3 star Jayasurya on why Swapnakoodu deserves a sequel: ‘A reunion would be beautiful’ | Exclusive

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