Asif Ali’s Kunjeldho to release in theatres on this date, sets up clash with Thuramukham and Ajagajantharam

Even when most Mollywood filmmakers had contemplated releasing their movies on OTTs, the makers of Asif Ali’s Kunjeldho were adamant that their film will be a theatrical release. In fact, the movie, which was supposed to release last year, had announced its release date several times – including this year’s Onam – and the makers have finalised that the film will hit cinema halls on Christmas 2021. 

The team has announced the release date through a teaser trailer on Sunday that welcomed back audience to theatres. In a warm and delightful clip that showed college students arriving back to their campus “after a long break”, the teaser showed glimpses from the central characters’ college days filled with march drills, sports and cultural festivals.

The teaser also reveals a few glimpses of the characters of Asif Ali, Roopesh Peethambaran, Gopika Udayan and a surprise cameo by Vineeth Sreenivasan, who is also serving as the creative director for the movie that will mark the directorial debut of RJ Mathukutty. 

In an earlier interview with OTTplay, Asif had told us that the film will be an entertainer that will have all elements expected from a Vineeth Sreenivasan movie. While Kunjeldho’s Christmas release is welcome, it also sets up a clash with two other big films including Antony Varghese’s Ajagajantharam and Nivin Pauly’s Thuramukham – both of which have announced December 24 release dates too. 

While Ajagajantharam is touted to be an all-out action entertainer, Nivin’s Thuramukham is a period drama set in the 40s and 50s and has a huge star cast including Indrajith Sukumaran, Nimisha Sajayan, Arjun Ashokan and Joju George.