Aparna Balamurali replaces Manju Warrier in Kaapa after latter cites scheduling conflicts with Ajith’s AK61

Aparna Balamurali has bagged her first big role post her National Film Award for Best Actress earlier this week. The Soorarai Pottru actress has replaced lady superstar Manju Warrier in Shaji Kailas’ directorial Kaapa, which is currently being shot in Thiruvananthapuram.

Manju, who was expected to join the sets this month, had dropped out due to the clash with her Tamil film AK61, which has Ajith Kumar in the lead. The actress is currently busy with the shoot of the H Vinoth directorial, which has the Tamil superstar playing two phases of the protagonist’s life.

The actress is the second big name to drop out of the film. Earlier, Carbon and Munnariyippu director Venu, who was initially set to helm the movie, had been replaced by veteran filmmaker Shaji Kailas due to creative differences.

Meanwhile, Shaji Kailas and Prithviraj have teamed up again after their hit film Kaduva for Kaapa. This marks their third collaboration. Prithviraj plays the role of a goon named Kotta Madhu and recently shared the two get-ups of his character from the gangster thriller, which is scripted by G Indugopan.

The movie, which is based on the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, also has Asif Ali and Anna Ben as part of its cast. Both the actors had shot a few of their portions earlier this year. The film, which is produced by Jinu Abraham, Dileesh Nair and Dolwin Kuriakose for the benefit of FEFKA Writers Union, is expected to hit theatres later this year.

Kaapa is based on Indugopan’s novel Shanmukhi and will be set in the early 2000s. Prithviraj will be essaying two phases of his character’s life in the film, which also has Jagadish, Indrans, Nandu, Maniyanpilla Raju and RK Rakesh Boro. Justin Varghese has been roped in as the film’s composer while Jomon T John is its cinematographer.