As reported earlier, Saiju Kurup's Bharathanatyam is getting a sequel titled Mohiniyattam, which was launched on Friday with a pooja ceremony. Krishnadas Murali, who wrote and directed the 2024-released family drama, returns to helm the sequel.
From a newly released motion poster in which Saiju Kurup's character is heard giving serious instructions to his family about hiding a crime, it seems like the makers have gone for a genre shift in Mohiniyattam.
Krishnadas, who is co-writing the film with debutant Vishnu R Pradeep, had earlier told us, “Mohiniyattam's story will pick up from where Bharathanatyam left off, with the main cast returning. There will also be some major cast additions. We’re also making a few changes to the technical crew. This time, we’re aiming for a much more eventful film to offer a proper theatrical experience.”
Bharathanatyam, produced by Thomas Thiruvalla Films in association with Saiju Kurup Entertainments, centred on a traditional middle-class family whose carefully maintained public image begins to unravel amid long-concealed secrets. Saiju, Saikumar, Kalaranjini Sreeja Ravi, Jinil Rex, and Jivin Rex played the main roles. Though the film received generally positive reviews upon its theatrical release, it found wider recognition following its digital release.
Mohiniyattam has Bablu Aju as the cinematographer, Shafeeque VB as the editor, and Electronic Kili as the music director.