Mammootty’s ‘Samrajyam’ returns to theatres after 35 years

The iconic 1990 Malayalam gangster drama ‘Samrajyam’, directed by Jomon and starring megastar Mammootty, is set for a grand theatrical re-release in a fully remastered 4K Dolby Atmos format. The team behind the project has confirmed that the updated version will hit theatres in September 2025, with restoration work currently in progress.

Originally written by Shibu Chakravarthy and produced by Ajmal Hassan under the banner of Arifa Productions, ‘Samrajyam’ will be distributed by Arifa Release. At the time of its release, the film was one of Mammootty’s most high-profile projects, produced on a then-significant budget estimated between 75 lakh and 1 crore rupees.

Widely praised for its stylish portrayal of Mammootty in the lead role, ‘Samrajyam’ stood out for its slick production values, striking visuals, and high-octane action. The film featured luxury cars, expansive sets, and a distinct cinematic flair that captivated audiences. While it was a massive success in Kerala, the film also enjoyed extended theatrical runs in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka—completing over 100 and even 200 days in several centres.

One of the film’s standout features was its bold decision to exclude songs entirely. Initially, composer Ilaiyaraaja had opted out of the project due to the lack of songs. However, after watching the film, he was so impressed that he returned to compose the background score, which has since become one of its most memorable elements.

The film also received critical appreciation for its use of slow-motion sequences, which added to its stylised storytelling and left a lasting impression on cinephiles.

Cinematography was handled by Jayanan Vincent, while editing was done by K. P. Hariharaputhran. Alongside Mammootty, the film featured a large ensemble cast that included Madhu, Captain Raju, Ashokan, Vijayaraghavan, Srividya, Sonia, Sattar, Jagannatha Varma, Siddique, C. I. Paul, Balan K. Nair, Prathapachandran, Jagannathan, Bheeman Raghu, Ponnambalam, Vishnukant, and Tapasya.