Exclusive! Vellimoonga director Jibu Jacob: I've not even considered a sequel for Biju Menon’s political satire

Director Jibu Jacob’s political satire Vellimoonga provided a second lease of life to Biju Menon’s career when it released in 2014. The movie, which marked the cinematographer’s debut directorial, had Biju playing a shrewd and conniving politician named Mammachan, who plots against the system to win the election. Recent reports suggested that the makers behind the movie are planning a sequel that will go on floors this year.

According to a report, the sequel, also scripted by Joji Thomas, will focus on Mammachan’s life as a minister and will see most of the cast of the 2014 movie reprising their roles.

When OTTplay reached out to Jibu Jacob to confirm the development, the filmmaker vehemently denied that such a project is in the pipeline. “I have not even considered a sequel for Vellimoonga. This is news to me,” he said. When asked about his next project, the director said that he is working on a movie that will be announced soon. “But it’s definitely not Vellimoonga’s sequel,” said Jibu.

The filmmaker had recently helmed a family drama titled Ellam Sheriyaakum, which also had a backdrop of politics. The movie, which released in theatres in November, had Asif Ali, Rajisha Vijayan and Sidhique in the lead and revolved around a seasoned politician pitted against a youngster, whom his daughter eloped with, as he seeks to fulfil his dream of becoming Kerala Chief Minister.

Incidentally, Asif too had played a cameo in Vellimoonga. In an earlier interview with us, Jibu said, “Asif became part of Vellimoonga only because of his friendship with Biju Menon. I had approached many artistes to play the role and after failing to cast anyone, I requested Biju to help out. He said he will call Asif and that’s how he joined the movie. Asif saved me in a way.”

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