Mohanlal on ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’s failure: ‘Why plan two parts midway?’ | Malayalam Movie News
Mohanlal has candidly addressed the box office failure of ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban,’ admitting that production miscalculations led to a final version that strayed from director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s original vision.
High expectations
The film, which generated immense anticipation due to LJP’s track record and Mohanlal’s never-seen-before avatar, ultimately failed to resonate with audiences.
Speaking to Galatta Plus, Mohanlal acknowledged that midway through production, the decision was made to expand the film’s universe for a possible sequel—an approach that backfired.
“For Empuraan, they created a universe with a clear three-part structure.”
During the interview, Mohanlal said, “For ‘Empuraan,’ they created a universe with a clear three-part structure. They planned everything—the characters, the narrative. But with Malaikottai Vaaliban, the initial story was amazing. However, as shooting progressed, it started expanding, and it slipped out of control. Now they say it will be made in two parts—but why? You make one film first, and if it succeeds, then think of a sequel.”
Issues with the film’s length and pacing
Mohanlal explained that the film’s length and pacing changed significantly, making it difficult for audiences to connect. He clarified that while it wasn’t a mistake per se, it was a miscalculation in execution.
Acknowledging Lijo Jose Pellissery’s distinctive filmmaking style, Mohanlal noted that certain films require specific pacing, but in the case of Malaikottai Vaaliban, the audience struggled to engage with it. Despite the setback, he remained unfazed, stating, “The failure doesn’t bother me. It happened.”
Hurt by film’s failure
In a previous interview, the Malaikottai Vaaliban ’producer Shibu Baby John revealed that Mohanlal was deeply hurt by Malaikottai Vaaliban’s failure. The producer further confirmed that even though the LJP’s directorial failed to meet the box office expectations, it was not an utter flop. He also confirmed that there are no plans for a sequel to the movie.
