Prithviraj, Aashiq Abu withdraw from Variyamkunnan project

Last June, filmmaker Aashiq Abu had announced that he would be collaborating with Prithviraj for the first time for Variyamkunnan, a film based on the 1921 Malabar revolution, centred on the historical figure Variyamkunnathu Kunjahammed Haji.

However, as per the latest update, the two withdrew from the project owing to creative differences with the producers. 

The project has been mired in controversy since the announcement on the 100th anniversary of the revolution last year. Various groups opposed the idea, and Prithviraj's social media pages came under attack. Moreover, one of the writers, Rameez, had earlier announced his detachment following backlash due to a separate controversy. 

Prithviraj was supposed to essay Variyamkunnathu Kunjahammed Haji, a self-made Sultan who established his parallel government and formed his army. The makers had announced that they intended to tell the untold story of the legendary revolutionary who rebelled against the British empire.