The release of Tovino Thomas’s new film Pallichattambi has been postponed from April 10 to April 15, coinciding with the Vishu festival, following a last-minute delay in obtaining the censor certificate due to the election code of conduct currently in force in Kerala. The film, according to its makers, tells the forgotten story of an extraordinary ‘chattambi’ (ruffian) from Kerala’s renaissance era.
Directed by Dijo Jose Antony, Pallichattambi is a period drama set in the late 1950s, revolving around migrant farming communities in Kerala’s high ranges. Written by S Suresh Babu, the film also stars Kayadu Lohar and Vijayaraghavan in important roles. The cast also includes Prashanth Alexander, Baburaj, Johny Antony, Sudheer Karamana, TG Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, and Vinod Kedamangalam.
Its technical team includes composer Jakes Bejoy, cinematographer Tijo Tomy, editor Sreejith Sarang, production designer Dileep Nath, and stunt choreographer Action Sandhosh. The film is produced by Noufal and Brijeesh of World Wide Films and the CCC Brothers through the banners World Wide Films and C Cube Bros.
With Pallichattambi backing out, Mohiniyattam will be the only Malayalam release on April 10. The sequel to the 2024 film Bharathanatyam reunites the core cast, including Saiju Kurup, Kalaranjini, Sreeja Ravi, Swathi Das Prabhu, Nandu Pothuval, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Sruthy Suresh, Divya M Nair, Jinil Rexa and Jivin Rexa. Krishnadas Murali returns to direct the film, which also features some new cast additions in Vinay Forrt, Baby Jean, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Nisthar Sait.