Exclusive! After Thoppil Joppan and Thuruppu Gulan, Johny Antony to direct Mammootty again

After directing Mammootty in movies such as Thuruppu Gulan, Ee Pattanathil Bhoothan and Thappana, filmmaker Johny Antony is set to work with the megastar again for a project next year.

Confirming that the movie is in the pipeline, the director, who has shifted his focus to acting these days, told OTTplay, “I have bounced off a thread to Mammukka (Mammootty). It’s a big film that needs a lot of people. We can shoot the movie only when the pandemic is over and when there aren’t any restrictions. Two new youngsters are scripting the film. We are yet to reach a stage where we can make an official announcement.”

Johny’s previous directorial was Thoppil Joppan in 2016 that again had Mammootty in the lead. The filmmaker has a host of acting projects lined up including BC Noufal’s next and Thirimali. “Apart from these, I also have roles in Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan, which has Saiju Kurup in the lead. I am also part of VC Abhilash’s Shabash Chandra Bose, Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Hridayam, Jibu Jacob’s Ellaam Sheriyaavum, Meri Awaaz Suno, Sathyam Mathrame Bodhipikku and also B Unnikrishnan’s Aaraattu, in which I will be seen throughout the film with Lalettan (Mohanlal),” he says.

Weighing in on the OTT vs theatres debate, Johny, who was last seen in #Home, says, “Throughout the years, it’s a film’s subject that has always made it successful – be it in theatres or OTTs. Casting was never a factor. Films with superstars have failed and so have those with newcomers. That said, movies like Thaneermathan Dinangal have become superhits. So, I don’t think there’s a difference between OTTs and theatres; good films and characters have always had a space.”

Meanwhile, Mammootty, who is currently shooting for Ratheena Sharshad’s Puzhu, is next expected to join Lijo Jose Pellissery’s segment in the Netflix anthology based on MT Vasudevan Nair’s short stories. The actor also has CBI 5 coming up and he has also allotted dates for Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha director Nisam Basheer’s next.

Also read: Mammootty to make his OTT debut with Lijo Jose Pellissery’s segment in this Netflix anthology?