As Keralam heads towards the Assembly elections, actor Mohanlal is set to appear in a special televised conversation with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The interview will be aired on February 26 across multiple television channels and digital platforms. Titled Kandum Mindiyum… Iruvar (Seen and Spoken… The Two), a programme produced by the state’s Public Relations Department. The teaser, which runs for just over a minute, was released on Mohanlal’s social media pages and the government’s official online channels, quickly sparking political debate.
The interaction was filmed at Cliff House, the Chief Minister’s official residence, over two days. The first day was reportedly used to discuss the themes and structure of the conversation, while the shoot itself took place the following day after the Chief Minister returned from Assembly proceedings.
Director T K Rajeev Kumar is among those associated with the production. The teaser opens with visuals of Mohanlal arriving at Cliff House and being received by the Chief Minister. The two are seen walking together in the residence grounds and sharing a light exchange while spending time outdoors, including a brief moment tending to a pet dog. The overall tone appears informal and conversational.
In one segment, Mohanlal remarks that someone had told him the Chief Minister is particularly fond of Rajinikanth’s films. Pinarayi Vijayan responds by saying that he generally enjoys action films. Mohanlal then playfully asks whether he has ever attempted to apply any film scene to real life, to which the Chief Minister replies that he has never tried to do so. The conversation also touches on more personal reflections.
When asked if he has ever felt regret over anything in his life, Pinarayi Vijayan refers to a time when he had to endure physical assault, offering a glimpse into a difficult phase from his past. In a lighter moment, Mohanlal asks whether the Chief Minister remembers dialogues from any of his films. Pinarayi Vijayan responds by recalling popular characters such as Dineshan and Dasan, prompting laughter from the actor. The teaser concludes with Vijayan applauding Mohanlal’s line, “My Kerala, your Kerala, our Kerala.”
The release has triggered comparisons on social media with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s widely discussed pre-election interaction with actor Akshay Kumar in 2019. Opposition voices in Kerala have alleged that the programme forms part of a broader publicity effort by the government ahead of the polls, with questions also raised about the use of public resources. Supporters, however, view the conversation as an attempt to present the Chief Minister in a more relaxed and accessible setting. Observers point out that Pinarayi Vijayan, who is often seen as restrained during formal press briefings, appears noticeably more at ease in the teaser.
Mohanlal has previously interviewed former Keralam Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.