Master director Bhadran makes rare return to direct moment in ‘Ottakkomban’

Decades ago, Changanassery Market witnessed an iconic jeep stunt by Mohanlal in the Malayalam film Spadikam, directed by Bhadran. Among the excited onlookers that day was a young boy named Mathews Thomas Plamoottil, who would later become a filmmaker inspired by that very moment.

Mathews, hailing from Veroor in Changanassery, nurtured his passion for cinema, working under directors like Johnny Antony, Deepan, Amalneerad, Khalid Rahman, and others. His journey eventually led him to work closely with his idol Bhadran, before becoming an independent director himself.

Now, Mathews is directing Ottakkomban, a high-octane film starring Suresh Gopi and penned by Shibin Francis. Produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the Gokulam Movies banner, the film resumed shooting in December 2024 after technical delays and scheduling challenges, including Suresh Gopi’s political commitments as a Union Minister. The second phase of the shoot began on April 21, 2025, and is actively progressing in and around Pala and Thodupuzha.

On May 18, a major action sequence between Suresh Gopi and Kabir Duhan Singh was filmed in front of the Pala Kurisu Church. Mathews, recalling the influence of Spadikam, invited Bhadran—who resides nearby—to the set. The veteran filmmaker not only visited but also directed a shot featuring Gopi and Kabir, drawing applause from the entire crew.

Suresh Gopi introduced Bhadran to Bollywood actor Kabir Duhan Singh, who plays the antagonist Marco. Mathews also introduced cinematographer Shaji to his mentor. The filming day was further marked by the presence of AMMA office-bearers Baburaj and Jayan Cherthala, who engaged in discussions with Suresh Gopi.

Ottakkomban is touted as a mass entertainer with a star-studded cast including Indrajith Sukumaran, Vijayaraghavan, Lalu Alex, Chemban Vinod, Johnny Antony, Meghana Raj, and others.

The film’s technical crew includes Shaji Kumar (cinematography), Shafiq V.B. (editing), Harshavardhan Rameshwar (music), and Vayalar Saratchandra Varma (lyrics). Art direction is by Gokul Das, with makeup by Ronex Xavier, and costumes by Anish and Akshaya Premnath. The production team is led by controller Siddu Panakkal, with PRO handled by Vazhoor Jose.

This symbolic return of Bhadran to the director’s chair, even briefly, adds a poetic layer to Ottakkomban—a film shaped by legacy, mentorship, and Malayalam cinema’s rich continuity.