Told Baby Jean he’d be the talking point if ‘Mohiniyattam’ worked: Director Krishnadas Murali

As Malayalam cinema rides a strong wave of sequels this year, Mohiniyattam director Krishnadas Murali sees himself at the centre of a moment that is reshaping audience trust in franchise filmmaking. In a conversation with Onmanorama, the filmmaker spoke about the film’s growing box office response, the choices that worked, and why 2026 feels like a turning point for sequels in the industry.

“It is a moment of great happiness to have a hit film that is accepted across Kerala,” Murali said. “Usually, when a movie works, it connects with a certain section of the audience. Reaching family audiences has always been difficult. But with Mohiniyattam, we are seeing that change. Day by day, the film is growing in terms of bookings and overall response.”

A sequel to Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam has found traction not just through its familiar narrative base, but also through the addition of new actors who brought a distinct energy to the story. Murali credits much of the film’s appeal to these casting decisions.

“The film essentially revolves around Sasi’s family, played by Saiju Kurup, and Baby Jean’s character Subhash,” he explained. “There is a uniqueness to Baby Jean’s performance. I had told him that if the film becomes a success, his character would be the most talked about. That is exactly what is happening now.”

The director also highlighted the contribution of Vinay Forrt, noting that the humour in the film was a calculated element. “With Vinay, we were confident that the humour portions would work, and they did. Similarly, having actors like Suraj Venjaramoodu added to the overall strength of the film.”

Murali places Mohiniyattam within a larger industry trend that has defined Malayalam cinema in the first half of 2026. “It is definitely a time of sequels,” he said. “It started with Aadu 3, then came Vaazha 2, followed by Mohiniyattam. And next month, we have the biggest among them all, Drishyam 3.”

For the filmmaker, the success of these films signals a shift in how sequels are perceived. “All these films have brought goodwill to Malayalam cinema,” he said. “There was always a notion that sequels are just a way to cash in. But now, people can see that a lot of work is going into these projects. They are being made with care.”

Being part of this phase, Murali said, is deeply satisfying. “To be part of such a moment is something I am extremely happy about,” he added, as Mohiniyattam continues its steady run, finding new audiences with each passing day.