Mohanlal and Priyadarshan’s Kaalapani team reunites after 26 years for this Netflix anthology

After their big budget period film Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, Malayalam star Mohanlal and director Priyadarshan are teaming up for another project, albeit a segment titled Olavum Theeravum in a Netflix anthology based on MT Vasudevan Nair’s stories. Though it’s not a feature film, the featurette will have a lot of significance as it’s a tribute to the makers of the 1970 film of the same name and it marks the comeback of the Kaalapani team.

The project, which is set to go on floors on July 5 in Thodupuzha, will have cinematographer Santosh Sivan and art director Sabu Cyril as part of it. Though they have worked together in various projects, it’s the first time that all four stalwarts – Mohanlal, Priyadarshan, Santosh and Sabu – are teaming up for a film after Kaalapani in 1996.

Also read: Exclusive! Mohanlal and Priyadarshan to begin shooting for this star-studded Netflix project in July 

In an interview with OTTplay last week, Priyadarshan had told us that the anthology comprises nine segments. “I am the only one who is directing two of them,” said the filmmaker, who had previously helmed Shilalikhithangal featuring Shanthi Krishna and Biju Menon for the anthology.

Olavum Theeravum will have Mohanlal playing the lead role of a timber trader named Bapputty, which was essayed by Madhu in the PN Menon’s 1970 film. Durga Krishna, Hareesh Peradi and Mammukkoya are the other cast members of the segment.

Santosh Sivan has also directed a featurette in the anthology that has Siddique in the lead. The other segments are helmed by Jayaraj, Shyamaprasad, Ratheesh Ambat, Aswathy Vasudevan Nair, Mahesh Narayanan and Lijo Jose Pellissery. Lijo’s segment has Mammootty in the lead and is based on MT Vasudevan’s memoir about his visit to Sri Lanka during his days as a journalist. The segment is yet to be filmed and is expected to go on floors in July or August.