Did Lijo Jose Pellissery' put off his international film Disco to shoot Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam?

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam has bagged the award for Best Film at the Kerala State Awards. The film marks the collaboration of the Jallikattu director and actor Mammootty, who has also bankrolled the film.

After the good response that the film received at the International Film Festival of Kerala, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam got a tepid response in theatres.

The latest news is that Lijo is planning another international film after Churuli. Reports suggest that the director was to shoot a movie titled Disco but deferred its shoot for Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam.

Disco, which featured Indrajith Sukumaran, was envisaged by Lijo eight years ago. Over the years, the film has been delayed for several reasons. It is interesting to note that Indrajith starred in Lijo's debut film, Nayakan. They went on to collaborate on films like City of God, Double Barrel, and Lijo's first commercial success, Amen.

Disco was supposed to be written by Hareesh S, who wrote the screenplays of Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and Jallikattu. Set against the backdrop of ‘Burning Man’, a cultural event in the US, the film was expected to feature Chemban Vinod Jose and veteran actor Mukesh.

Burning Man is an annual gathering of thousands of people in the middle of the Nevada desert. Dressed in different costumes, the event is a nine-day celebration of music and the exhibition of artistic installations.

Meanwhile, Lijo has completed the shooting of the Mohanlal-starrer Malaikottai Vaaliban. The period-action film sees Mohanlal playing a wrestler.

The film is mounted on a large scale and is being shot in locations in Rajasthan, Pondicherry, and Chennai. The makers have already revealed the first-look video.

Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, the Kerala State Award winner for Best Picture, is about a theatre group and theatre artist James' (played by Mammootty) transition when their bus enters a Tamil village.