Omar Lulu is set to direct a biopic on Indian football legend I M Vijayan, with the film’s title launch event scheduled to be held on April 26 in Thrissur. The project is being produced by Keshva Ramachandrappa, K Manju and Rajashekar G. Further details regarding the cast, including the actor who will portray Vijayan, and the technical crew, are expected to be announced at the event.
The upcoming film will mark the second major screen biopic on a Malayali footballer after Jayasurya's 2018 sports drama Captain, which portrayed the life of former India captain V P Sathyan. Vijayan’s life had previously been documented in the 1998 biographical documentary film Kalo Harin, named after the veteran footballer’s nickname, which means Blackbuck.
Born in Thrissur in 1969, Vijayan rose from humble beginnings as a soda seller to become one of the most celebrated footballers in Indian history. A striker known for his pace and aggression, he captained the India national football team from 2000 to 2004. He scored 29 goals in 72 international appearances for India. Among his many honours, Vijayan won the Indian Player of the Year award three times and received the Arjuna Award in 2003. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2025.
Alongside football, he also transitioned into acting, making his screen debut in Jayaraj's 2001 film Shantham and later appearing in several Malayalam and Tamil films.
Omar is best known for directing films such as Happy Wedding, Chunkzz, Oru Adaar Love and Dhamaka, among others. Earlier this year, he had also announced plans for a sequel to Happy Wedding, though there has been no further update on that project.
