Malikappuram star Unni Mukundan: With Gandharva Jr, people will know what I’m trying to do in Malayalam | Exclusive

Malikappuram’s success has already inspired several producers, theatre owners and even actors in the industry as it has got the family audience, who have been increasingly hesitant to come to theatres since the pandemic, thronging cinema halls. Its lead actor Unni Mukundan, however, says that the film’s success is just the start of the things he wants to achieve as an actor.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Unni talked about how the film has made critics as well as the audience reevaluate him as an artiste and why all of a sudden he has been considered an actor who can bring the audience to theatres.

“The reviews now say that my films appeal to the family audience. Just a year ago, I was not even part of such discussions. So, things change,” said Unni, adding that there was a phase not too long ago when people didn’t even think of him as an actor with box office potential.

He also explained that the success of Malikappuram, which has already crossed Rs 40 crore in worldwide box office gross and is set to release in Tamil and Telugu today, has also made him want to take up bigger films. “I am going to do things because I am confident about myself, the people around me and also the trust that the audience has in me. I want to do something spectacular and I am looking forward to it,” he said.

Unni’s next project Gandharva Jr, a fantasy entertainer, is very much part of that plan. “Gandharva Jr is one of the biggest films that I am part of. I will be shooting some portions by the end of January and we will be releasing a glimpse of it, so people will understand what I am trying to do in Malayalam. There hasn’t been a day that I have doubted myself,” he said.