No Mollywood project with Mammootty: Gautham Menon

While Mollywood wait anxiously for hit-filmmaker Gautham Menon's entry to the industry, rumours have been ripe about the director in talks with Mammootty for his first film. The online media has been abuzz with activity hinting that the director and actor had a discussion in Chennai for a project that will see the megastar in the role of a police officer. This had the fans of the actor thrilled especially because Gautham had earlier helmed cult cop thrillers Kaakha Kaakha and Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu.
However, bursting that bubble, Gautham tells us, "The news is not true. I do not have a Mammootty project lined up. Right now my sole focus is the Surya film Dhruva Natchathiram and I will only talk about my Malayalam projects after that."
Earlier, the director had confirmed to us that he has plans for two Malayalam projects - one with Mohanlal and another with Fahadh Faasil - both of which will be based on his own scripts and first project is scheduled to go on floors by the end of this year depending on when his Tamil movie finishes its post-production.
No Mollywood project with Mammootty: Gautham Menon
Incidentally, industry insiders say the rumours have been started by the fans of the two megastars who are trying to establish one-upmanship over the other. "Lately, Mohanlal is being approached by several nationally-known filmmakers including Gautham, Kahaani scribe Suresh Nair and even for a Hollywood movie. Mammootty, however, is trying to focus on his already committed projects and do good roles than venture out of his comfort zone," says a senior producer close to both actors.
Our source also highlights that most of Mohanlal projects are still only in the pipeline. "Mohanlal is now becoming the first choice of veteran filmmakers while Mammootty signs up projects with the up-and-coming directors," he adds.