Malayalam film director Lijo Jose Pellissery says his Mohanlal-starrer ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’ narrates a universal story

Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery introduces Mohanlal's character in his new film, Malaikottai Vaaliban, which promises a tale of romance, treachery, valour, and redemption set in a scarred and battle-worn land.

With hair knotted into a bun and dressed in vintage clothes, a man roars while dragging two heavy ropes. This was filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery’s introduction of Mohanlal’s character in his new film, Malaikottai Vaaliban.

The trailer that followed showed a sneak peak of a tale of romance, treachery, valour and redemption. Shot in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and in Puducherry, ace cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan’s frames depict a scarred and battle-worn land set in a different time, and the presence of a hardened warrior.

Releasing on January 25, the film has created waves of excitement as Lijo and Mohanlal come together for their first project. Lijo says the film is based on a line he had jotted down during the lockdown. It was later expanded to encompass a story that blurs time and space. While thinking about the story, Lijo felt the best person to headline the film would be Mohanlal. Till then the director and Mohanlal had had several discussions that did not coalesce into a movie. But this one hit the bull’s eye and soon Lijo and scenarist PS Rafeeque began scripting the screenplay of the film.

“The film just fell into the right track. The producers, actors and the story all came together. When I narrated the story, they liked it,” says Lijo.

Although it was originally planned in Tamil, Lijo altered the idea to something larger, especially in terms of the character and the landscape. “There is the feel of a folk tale to the whole story but I wanted the vocabulary to be rooted in the soil. I knew that Rafeeq would be the best person to get the language right.”

Lijo points out that the Amen team is reuniting with Prashanth Pillai composing the music for the movie.

Tne intriguing trailer and posters have heightened the expectations for the movie. Nevertheless, Lijo refuses to confirm if Mohanlal is essaying a wrester or an illusionist. “Let it be intriguing till the film reaches theatres on January 25,” he laughs.