Mammootty's new film, marking Tamil filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon's directorial debut in Malayalam, commenced on Wednesday. It is the sixth production venture under the former's home banner Mammootty Kampany.

Billed as a crime thriller laced with comedy, the upcoming film officially began its production in Kochi with a pooja ceremony attended by the lead actor, director, and several members of its cast and crew. Apart from Mammootty, Gokul Suresh, Lena, Siddique, Vijay Babu and Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum-fame Viji Venkatesh are also part of its core cast. While the cuts are handled by Gautham's regular editor Anthony, the film's visuals are captured by Vishnu Dev, who previously collaborated with the director on Dhruva Natchathiram. The music will be composed by Darbuka Siva, known for his work in Gautham's 2019 film Enai Noki Paayum Thota.

Gautham, a National Award-winning filmmaker and a Malayali by birth with roots in Palakkad, is known for directing films in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. His notable works include Kaakha Kaakha (2003), Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006), Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), and Yennai Arindhaal (2015), among others.

Previously, Gautham made his presence in a few Malayalam films as an actor, including Fahadh Faasil's Trance (2020) and Sesham Mike-il Fathima (2023). Interestingly, he also plays a significant role in Mammootty's upcoming film Bazooka, directed by Deeno Dennis. Meanwhile, his long-delayed Tamil directorial Dhruva Natchathiram, headlined by Vikram, is awaiting release.