Nithish Sahadev, director of hits such as Basil Joseph’s Falimy and Jiiva's Tamil comedy Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil, posted a story on Instagram announcing the shoot of his long-delayed film with Mammootty. The caption read “rolling soon” with a black and white picture of the megastar. The film was originally supposed to go on floors early last year. Owing to health issues of the star, the film was pushed until later. Nithish Sahadev directed the Tamil comedy Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil during this period and it went on to become a hit.
The proposed film with Mammootty is said to be an action comedy set in the Kerala-TN border. Speaking at a press conference in Kerala, the director of the 2023 hit comedy Falimy opened up about the project. When asked about the film's status and how Mammootty came on board, he said, “He (Mammootty) liked the story. After hearing our first narration, he soon asked for another sitting to discuss the film in detail. Within the genre, we are trying to do a few new things with it. And I’m guessing it will be different. It’s going to be an action entertainer.”
Mammootty has also finished shooting for Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Padayatra. It is said to be a “tragedy about a doctor who gives his all to his people”. Two of his three previous collaborations with the master director resulted in National Award wins for Mammootty — Mathilukal (1990) and Vidheyan (1994). It is co-written by novelist K. V. Mohan Kumar and it is being produced under the banner of Mammootty Kampany and recently wrapped its 40-day shoot in Kerala. The film is slated for a 2026 release. In an earlier interview, Nithish had said that Mammootty expected a feel-good comedy from Nithish Sahadev.