Churuli and Joji directors Lijo Jose Pellissery and Dileesh Pothan join Mammootty's CBI 5?

The cast for Mammootty's CBI 5 has just gotten bigger. Latest reports suggested that director K Madhu has roped in filmmakers Lijo Jose Pellissery and Dileesh Pothan as part of the cast of the movie, scripted by SN Swamy.

The big-budget film, which is set to go on floors next month, also has Asha Sharath, Ramesh Pisharody, Renji Panicker and Sai Kumar. Mammootty will reportedly join the team on December 2, after he completes the shoot of Lijo Jose Pellissery's Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakam and the filmmaker's segment in the Netflix anthology based on MT Vasudevan Nair's stories.

Lijo had previously acted in the Mammootty-starrer Bombay March 12. He also played cameos in Saptamashree Thaskaraha, Swandhantryam Ardhadathriyil and Padayottam.

However, when OTTplay got in touch with SN Swamy, the scriptwriter denied that Lijo and Dileesh are part of the cast. "Both of them were approached. Dileesh had also agreed to be part of the film but then expressed doubts because he had sustained a ligament injury due to which he had to opt out of other films too. Lijo, meanwhile, said that he will be busy with the post production of his films and wouldn't be able to make time for CBI 5," says SN Swamy.

While Jagathy was rumoured to make a comeback in CBI 5, the makers are currently mum about his casting. Mukesh, who has essayed a recurring character in the previous films, too might not be part of the upcoming venture that has Akhil George as the cinematographer and Jakes Bejoy as music director.

The movie will have CBI Sethurama Iyer investigating a case referred to as basket killings. Assisting him will be two women cops, who are yet to be finalised. SN Swamy, however, stresses that much like the previous film, Iyer's character will be spearheading the case. 

The film's official title is expected to be announced soon. Apart from Kochi, CBI 5 will also have a schedule in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Mammootty is currently shooting for Churuli director Lijo's Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakam, which the superstar is also producing. The film's schedule in Pazhani has been delayed due to the incessant rains in the past week. Mammootty was originally scheduled to join the sets of CBI 5 on November 29.

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