Mohanlal was the inevitable choice for 'Malaikottai Vaaliban’: Director Lijo Jose Pellissery

Renowned filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery sheds light on the making of 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' and reveals why Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was the only choice for the titular role.

In an interview with journalist Rekha Menon, LJP disclosed that the film, initially planned with a different narrative style, underwent significant changes after Mohanlal's inclusion, transforming into a grander-scale project.

Lijo Jose Pellissery emphasised that despite the magnificent scale, the core storyline of 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' remained intact.
According to the director, Mohanlal's portrayal of Vaaliban, the mighty warrior with immense strength, was absolutely necessary. He said, "Mohanlal was the inevitable choice for 'Malaikottai Vaaliban'." The character required an actor capable of making both the performance and physical appearance believable, and Lijo attests that Mohanlal accomplished this seamlessly.
Meanwhile, in another interview, LJP confirmed the sequel to 'Malaikottai Vaaliban,' dismissing rumours of abandoning the project due to its mixed reviews. The director assured that Part 2 will feature more developed characters, enhanced fantasy elements, and be produced on an even grander scale.
On the other hand, 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' is doing good business at the box office as it has raked in more than Rs 12 crores within 7 days. The movie is expected to mint more numbers in the future.