Mahesh Narayanan's film Patriot has brought the two titans of Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal and Mammootty, together onscreen after a long time. Helming a film featuring one of these superstars is itself a major task, let alone two. This is something that some filmmakers in Malayalam have acknowledged on multiple occasions.
While Prithviraj Sukumaran has done three films with Mohanlal, Lucifer, Bro Daddy, and L2: Empuraan, the actor-filmmaker has often said that he takes much time preparing the screenplay for the superstar due to the big responsibility that comes with the project. For example, in a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Prithviraj spoke about the 'pressure' he feels with regard to directing a Mohanlal film and shared details about how he and Murali Gopy would spend time refining the screenplay drafts.
Another filmmaker who expressed her concerns about doing a film with these superstars is Anjali Menon. Speaking to Film Companion once, Anjali said, "I think, they are wonderful actors, both of them. They have been very very nice to me with their appreciation, and I do not have material that is worthy of them yet. Because I feel it is a responsibility when I take something to them, it needs to be something that is worth the wonderful characters that they can play. Whenever that happens, I will definitely do that."
Anjali also elaborated on Mohanlal and Mammootty's varied filmography. "What their motivations and reasons are for doing certain films, I think that is not something that I can judge. I still think they are both people who are very open to doing different things. From my limited interaction with both of them and from the films I have seen them do, they have done it really, not for the past five years or ten years. They have done it way before this whole superstar thing was coined even. These are people who are wonderful actors who have become superstars, which is something we should not forget."
Anjali also said that if she knew what role she could think for Mohanlal or Mammootty, she would have made a move with one of them already. Pointing out the different genres of films both actors have done in their careers in the commercial and independent space, Anjali said, "Who are we to bracket them and pigeonhole them into specific roles? I totally do not think so. I think they have immense versatility, and it is up to us to find that and bring them forth in those kind of characters."
