Thudarum: Why Jyotika did not act with Mohanlal after Mammootty's Kaathal? Tharun Moorthy reveals

Mohanlal’s most-anticipated upcoming film, Thudarum, is special for Lalettan fans for multiple reasons. The biggest highlight is that Tharun Moorthy’s directorial reunites Mohanlal and Shobana onscreen after more than a decade. But did you know Jyotika could have very well played Lalitha, the wife of Mohanlal’s character Shanmugham in the film? Yes, Tharun Moorthy considered Jyotika for the role and even approached her. If this collaboration had worked, it would have marked Jyotika’s next outing in Malayalam after Mammootty’s acclaimed film Kaathal: The Core. Read on to know why Jyotika did not take up the role in Thudarum and how Shobana came on board opposite Mohanlal. 

‘Jyotika was also considered for Shobana's role in Thudarum’

Thudarum director Tharun Moorthy has revealed that his first choice was to cast Shobana in the film, opposite Mohanlal. However, he was unsure about how to contact Shobana, who is also a popular danseuse, and then considered a fresh pairing with Mohanlal. 

“When I told (scriptwriter) Sunil that there was no better option than Sbhobana madam, he asked me how would we contact her. Then we thought of a fresh pairing for Mohanlal, we considered Jyotika," Tharun Moorthy said during a recent interview with Red FM. 

The Operation Java director further said that he went to Jyotika's house and narrated the story. "She was very excited. But the time when we planned the shoot, Jyotika and Surya had planned a world tour. So then we called Shobana madam,” explained Tharun Moorthy, who has also helmed the National Award-winning Saudi Vellakka. 

On the other hand, Jyotika played the wife of Mammootty's character Mathew Devassy in Jeo Baby's acclaimed film, Kaathal – The Core.

Thudarum release and expectations

Meanwhile, Thudarum is all set to release in theatres worldwide on April 25, 2025. Expectations are high, since the previous two films of Tharun Moorthy were much-talked-about and his collaboration with the Lucifer star is keenly looked forward to. If Thudarum turns out to be a winner at the box office, it would be Mohanlal’s second film to do so after Empuraan, which earned stellar numbers at the ticket window despite the controversies.