Though we do not have confirmed information, sources are that It’s a Mammootty v/s Mohanlal clash this vishu in Malayalam Cinema. And the clash is not at the box office but at the OTT realm. According to sources Mammootty’s “Puzhu” and Mohanlal starrer “12th Man” are tentative Vishu releases.
“Puzhu” directed by Ratheena P.T and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Productions is set to stream on Sony Liv. This is Ratheena’s directorial debut and first film where Mammootty and Parvathy Thiruvothu comes together in lead roles. “It’s a statement” Parvathy affirms.
Meanwhile “12th Man” is Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph coming together after the much acclaimed Amazon Prime blockbuster “Drishyam 2”, sequel to the 2013 film of the same name. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas, the film is set to stream on Disney+Hotstar.
What is even more interesting is that the two titans of Malayalam Cinema locking horns is nothing new. In fact the Vishu season itself has a long and glorious history of the two stars clashing with each other. They’ve also clashed at the box-office during Onam, Christmas, Eid etc.
Major films released within their Vishu rivalry include Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, Adikkurippu, Season and Varavelppu in 1989, His Highness Abdullah and Kottayam Kunjachan (1990), Bharatham, Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu, Vishnulokam, Inspector Balram (1991), Kamaladalam, Sooryamanasam and Johnnie Walker (1992), Vatsalyam and Devasuram (1993), Sphadikam and Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Hitler and Kaalapani (1996) and Chota Mumbai and Big B (2007). After a gap of around 15 years, we are supposedly witnessing the clash of titans again.. but for a change at the streaming platforms.
Let us wait and watch which one of the two will win the popularity game and content game this time for Vishu. Since there are no barometers to gauge level of success in the OTT realm we hope both the films get thumbs up from audience.