‘Maniyan will return’: Jithin Laal on ARM sequel; Tovino responds to ‘Lokah’ connection
As discussions around Tovino Thomas’ latest outing, ‘Lokah-Chapter 1: Chandra’, where he portrays the mythical Chathan, continue to trend, an unexpected update has surfaced from the makers of his 2024 blockbuster, Ajayante Randam Moshanam (ARM).
On the film’s first anniversary, director Jithin Laal took to social media to hint at the return of Maniyan, one of Tovino’s most celebrated mystical characters. The filmmaker shared a deleted scene from the film and posted an emotional note thanking fans:
“One year of ARM… A year of memories, magic, and Maniyan… thank you all Grateful for all the love and support... Maniyan will return to unlock the depths of mysteries….”
Interestingly, Tovino—who was tagged in the post—also engaged with fans in the comments. When asked if the film or the character had any link to the Lokah universe, he clarified, “Not at all. They belong to different universes.”
While Jithin did not reveal further details, the announcement ties in with earlier reports that the makers are planning to expand the ARM universe. Screenwriter Sujith Nambiar is said to be developing concepts for as many as nine spin-offs, making it one of Malayalam cinema’s most ambitious franchise plans.
Released during Onam 2024, Ajayante Randam Moshanam marked Jithin Laal’s directorial debut and featured Tovino Thomas in triple roles alongside Krithi Shetty (in her Malayalam debut), Basil Joseph, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Lakshmi, and an ensemble cast. Shot in 2D and later converted to 3D, the film grossed over ₹106 crore at the box office against a budget of ₹30 crore, earning praise for its performance, particularly Tovino as Maniyan, along with its visuals, music, and storytelling.
After the release of Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra, featuring Naslen and Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead roles, buzz grew around Tovino’s character in the film. Many fans drew parallels with his role in ARM and began speculating about a possible crossover between the two films.