Biju Menon, Nikhila Vimal team up in Meppadiyan director Vishnu Mohan’s next

It seems like Meppadiyan director Vishnu Mohan’s second consecutive collaboration with Unni Mukundan is on hold. The duo had previously announced they would be teaming up for a political-thriller titled Pappa, but the director will now be working on an altogether different film with a new cast.

Vishnu’s next project, which will have its pooja function on July 15 in Kochi, has Biju Menon in the lead. The film, which will be co-produced by cinematographer Jomon T John, Vishnu and editor Shameer Muhammed, will also have Nikhila Vimal, Anu Mohan, Siddique, Hakkim Shahjahan and Renji Panicker as part of its cast.

Biju Menon, who was last seen in Thankam, has been having a busy 2023. The actor has already completed shooting for Jis Joy’s next thriller, which has him teaming up with Asif Ali again. He is also part of Vishnu Narayan’s Nadanna Sambhavam that has him sharing screen space with Suraj Venjaramoodu, Lijomol and Shruti Ramachandran.

However, the most awaited of his films is Garudan, which is helmed by debutant Arun Varma and has him working with Suresh Gopi after films such as Randam Bhavam, Kaliyattam and FIR. In a recent interview with us, Arun said, “Their characters are real and raw, just like Chackochan’s (Kunchacko Boban) in Anjaam Pathiraa. They aren’t these larger-than-life characters that they have played before. The portrayals too are realistic in that sense. Both of them have their own quirks and issues.”

Also read: Garudan: Suresh Gopi, Biju Menon’s characters are raw and real and not larger than life, says Arun Varma 

Biju Menon is paired with Divya Pillai in the film, scripted by Midhun Manuel Thomas, and has elements of a courtroom drama as well as an investigative thriller.

Meanwhile, Nikhila Vimal, who was recently seen in a cameo role in Journey of 18+, has also wrapped up her debut web series, which is written by Padmini’s scriptwriter Deepu Pradeep and has Kurup’s associate director Praveen Chandran at the helm. The series, which also has Sunny Wayne and Aju Varghese, is set to begin streaming on Disney+ Hotstar later this year.