Mammootty’s 1990 Malayalam film Samrajyam, directed by Jomo, will return to cinemas this September in a restored 4K Dolby Atmos format. The rerelease coincides with the veteran actor’s birthday month, as Mammootty turns 74 on September 7. The remastering work is underway, with the film once again being distributed by Arifa Release.
Produced by Ajmal Hassan under Arifa Productions, Samrajyam was scripted by Shibu Chakravarthy. At the time of its original release, the film was reportedly among the most expensive Malayalam productions, with a budget between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 1 crore. Mammootty played the role of Alexander, an underworld don, and it stood out for its technical treatment and visual style. Ilaiyaraaja composed the background score, joining the project after an initial hesitation because the film featured no songs.
Upon release, Samrajyam ran successfully across South India, with extended theatre runs in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, in addition to Kerala. A sequel, Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander, directed by Perarasu and starring Unni Mukundan, was released in 2015 but failed at the box office.