The internet has been buzzing since reports emerged of Mammootty and Jyotika starrer Kaathal – The Core skipping the theatrical route and opting to release on a streaming platform.
If reports are to be believed, Jeo Baby directorial Kaathal will release directly on JioCinema. The film will be Mammottty‘s second direct-to-streaming release after 2021’s Puzhu.
The reports elicited mixed reactions from Malayalam film buffs on Redditt (r/MalayalamMovies). BozoGubu wrote, “People who have watched an early screening described the movie as ‘Heart Wrenching. From what I hear, this is one of the most meaningful movies Ikka’s ever made.” AdKey7235 said, “Will theatre owners ban ikka movies too if it is released OTT first ? Same like DQ got the ban.” KovaiVenkitesan remarked, “എന്തെങ്കിലും പുതിയ കാര്യമായിരിക്കും എന്നൊരു പ്രതീക്ഷ ഒന്നുമില്ല.”
Kaathal – The Core, which is bankrolled by Mammootty Kampany and distributed by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, also stars Muthumani, Chinnu Chandini, Sudhi Kozhikode, Alistair Alex, Anagha Aku, Josie Sijo and Adarsh Sukumaran in pivotal roles.
The music of the movie has been composed by Mathews Pulickan. The other crew members of the film are writers Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria, cinematographer Salu K Thomas, editor Francies Louis, art director Shajie Naduvil and lyricists Anvar Ali and Jacquiline Mathew.
The posters of Kaathal released so far suggest that the film will be an intense relationship drama revolving around the characters of Mammootty and Jyotika. The movie marks the return of Jyotika to Malayalam cinema after a long gap of 14 years. Her last Malayalam film was Seetha Kalyanam. She made her debut in Mollywood with the 2007 movie Rakklippattu.
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Jeo Baby is best known for his critically acclaimed 2021 film The Great Indian Kitchen, starring Suraj Venjaramoodu and Nimisha Sajayan in the lead roles. His recent features include a segment in SonyLIV anthology Freedom Fight and Sreedhanya Catering Service.
On the work front, besides Kaathal, Mammootty has Kannur Squad and Bazooka in the pipeline.