2018:Everyone Is A Hero filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph is set to direct MV Kairali: The Enduring Mystery, an investigative thriller based on the disappearance of the Kerala Shipping Corporation vessel MV Kairali, which vanished while travelling from Goa to Rostock in East Germany in 1979, as per a report by Reporter TV. The film is produced by Confluence Media, an investigative journalism organisation. Jude is co-writing the screenplay with American writer James Wright and writer-journalist Josy Joseph, founder of Confluence Media. Shooting is planned across Kerala, Mumbai, and other international port locations.
MV Kairali departed from Mormugao Port on June 30, 1979, carrying around 20,000 tonnes of iron ore with 51 people aboard, including 23 Malayalis. The last radio contact was on July 3, and the ship was scheduled to refuel in Djibouti on July 8. Communications ceased thereafter, first coming to public attention on July 11, with official confirmation on July 15. The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported on June 30, 2025, marking 46 years since the tragedy, that the incident continues to profoundly affect the families of the missing crew. For them, the ship remains “forever afloat,” their loved ones imagined “forever young, forever sailing, and never ageing.”
Experts suggest the vessel may have capsized in high waves. Families have criticised the corporation’s delayed and opaque response, citing cargo overload, radar repairs, adverse weather, and possible piracy. Offers of external search assistance and Indian Navy sightings reportedly went unacted upon. Jude earlier told Variety that the subject based on MV Kairali's disappearance posed a formidable challenge for any filmmaker.
Earlier, it was reported in 2017 that cinematographer Jomon T John’s directorial debut would be based on the same subject, with Nivin Pauly in the lead, though no updates have emerged since the announcement.
Meanwhile, Jude is also part of G Prajith's Ashakal Aayiram, headlined by Jayaram and Kalidas Jayaram, in which he co-wrote the script and serves as the creative director. He is also set to direct Thudakkam, which will mark Mohanlal's daughter Vismaya Mohanlal's debut.