My Kunjali Marickar is very much on: Santosh Sivan

This is one period drama that everybody has waited for long. Stuck in pre-production for the last few years, the work on the Mammootty-starrer Kunjali Marickar IV has finally gained momentum, with director Santosh  Sivan confirming that the project will take wings next year. 

Responding to reports that Priyadarshan was planning a project with Mohanlal about Kunjali Marikkars of the 16th century, Santosh Sivan says, "My project with Mammootty is very much on. It will happen in 2018. After I finish with the English film I'm currently working on, I will embark on that."

On Priyadarshan doing a project along similar lines, Santosh says he had no idea about that. But, it doesn't bother him. "There might be two films on the same topic, but the perspective will surely be different. All I can say at the moment is that I am moving forward with the project next year," he adds.  

August Cinemas will produce the project, which will be scripted by TP Rajeevan and Sankar Ramakrishnan. 

Meanwhile, word has it that director Priyadarshan's project will be a blend of historical facts and fiction. Though there were rumours almost three years ago that the filmmaker was working on a project about Kunjali Marickars with Mohanlal, this is the first time he has confirmed it. 

With Santhosh Sivan's Kunjali Marickar in the making, 2018 will see a slew of historical mega-budget film. While Mammootty has Kunjali Marickar and Mammankam, Mohanlal has already already started shooting for Odiyan. The actor is also part of the epic Mahabharata, the pre-production work of which is expected to start soon.