Mohanlal's first big screen release in 2021, Aaraattu, will hit theatres in November: B Unnikrishnan

With theatres set to reopen in Kerala from October 25, many were hoping Mohanlal’s Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham or Aaraattu will be among the first to hit cinema halls. However, director B Unnikrishnan, who helmed Aaraattu, confirmed that his movie could release only in November.

Taking to his social media page to make the much-anticipated announcement, Unnikrishnan confirmed that Aaraattu would indeed be a theatrical release and not head to OTTs first unlike several big films like Minnal Murali.

“However, because this is a big budget movie, we will have to gauge the situation carefully before its release. So, I can only say that Aaraattu will reach theatres only by November,” he said.

The Kerala government has allowed theatres to reopen from October 25, but at 50% capacity. The film industry and the exhibitors have been clamouring for theatres to reopen to full capacity to make up for the losses sustained due to the prolonged closure of cinema halls in the State and the long delay of releases.

Unnikrishnan’s stance could also echo Marakkar producer Antony Perumbavoor’s stand, as the latter is made at an even bigger budget of close to Rs 100 Cr. The movie was initially set to release in March 2020, just before the first nationwide pandemic lockdown was announced.

Marakkar’s director Priyadarshan and producer Perumbavoor had insisted that the movie will be a theatrical release, partially owing to the fact that its overseas rights were sold for a record sum and it would make sense to release the movie in theatres when the facilities reopened across the world.

To recover the losses sustained due to the delay in Marakkar’s release, Perumbavoor and Mohanlal had teamed up for Amazon Prime Video’s Drishyam 2, Bro Daddy and 12th Man. The latter two are also expected to be direct-to-OTT releases.

Also read: Mohanlal wraps up shooting for Jeethu Joseph’s 12th Man, to join Shaji Kailas’ film next