Shane Nigam replaces Soubin Shahir in Bhadran’s film set against a Jewish backdrop

Director Bhadran was probably the first veteran filmmaker to laud Shane Nigam after his performance in Bhoothakaalam earlier this year. It now seems that the young actor has impressed the veteran director enough to make the latter want to cast him as the lead in his comeback directorial.

In 2019, Bhadran had announced that he would be making his comeback after 14 years with a film titled Joothan with Soubin Shahir in the lead. The movie now will have a change in title as well as its cast, with it being delayed. Shane will now play the lead in the film, which is expected to go on floors in September this year.

Soubin was earlier touted to play a Jewish character named Eo Eliyavu Kohen in the movie. Joju George and Mamta Mohandas were also roped in back in 2019 to essay the characters of an IPS officer and a National Award-winning actress. Indrans, Joy Mathew and Sharafudheen were the other artistes who were confirmed when the movie was first announced. The makers are yet to confirm if the rest of the cast have been retained for the film.

A reason for Soubin opting out could be that he has his own directorial to focus on. The actor is gearing up for his second directorial titled Othiram Kadakkam, which has Dulquer Salmaan in the lead. Soubin had also dropped out of Aashiq Abu’s Neelavelicham earlier this year, with Shine Tom Chacko replacing him in the period film starring Tovino Thomas, Roshan Mathew and Rima Kallingal.

Shane, meanwhile, will be seen sharing screen space with Soubin in Salam Bappu’s movie, which is currently being shot in the UAE. The feel-good film, which is based on friendships, has Shane playing a Malappuram-based youth who reaches the UAE for a job but what welcomes him is not the Dubai he imagined. He is also part of Nadirshah’s upcoming film, which will go on floors by July-August.

Also read: Shane Nigam, Soubin Shahir to team up for Salam Bappu’s feel-good movie to be shot in the UAE