Exclusive! After Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Kottayam Ramesh to play Bhaskaran in Prithviraj's Vilayath Buddha?

Prithviraj Sukumaran's upcoming movie Vilayath Buddha would be a reunion of sorts for the team of Sachy's Ayyappanum Koshiyum. The movie, which was set to be helmed by the late filmmaker, will now be directed by his associate Jayan Nambiar. But that's not the only connection.

Much like Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Vilayath Buddha, based on GR Indugopan's eponymous novel, is a dual hero project. The movie's central characters are Bhaskaran master and his student Double Mohanan, a sandalwood smuggler. Bhaskaran grows a premium quality sandalwood tree called Vilayath Buddha for a personal reason, but his student pupil challenges him. Set in Marayoor, the film is a story about revenge, courage and more.

While Prithviraj will be essaying the role of Double Mohanan in the movie that is set to go on floors next year, we have now learnt that Kottayam Ramesh has been considered for the role of Bhaskaran.

Kottayam Ramesh and Prithviraj had shared screen space in Ayyappanum Koshiyum where the former played Koshy Kurian's driver and confidante Kumaran. Ramesh was most recently seen in Asif Ali's Ellam Sheriyaakum, in which he played the revenue minister.

Vilayath Buddha is scripted by Indugopan and Rajesh Pinnadan, and produced by Sandip Senan's Urvashi Theatres. Jomon T John is reportedly roped in as its cinematographer and Mahesh Narayanan as its editor.

Jayan had previously worked as Sachy's and Prithviraj's associate in Anarkali and Lucifer, respectively. Sachy was scripting Jayan's debut directorial before he had passed away last year, prompting Jayan to fill in as the director for Vilayath Buddha. Prithviraj is expected to join the team as soon as he completes shooting for Blessy's Aadujeevitham in 2022.

Also read: Exclusive! Indrajith on working with Prithviraj and Murali Gopy in Theerpu