Prof. Ambili aka Uncle Lunar: A Stephen Hawking twist as Jagathy prepares for a grand comeback in Malayalam cinema

Celebrated Malayalam actor Jagathy Sreekumar, long hailed as the ‘king of comedy’, is set to make a remarkable return to the silver screen in the role of ‘Prof. Ambili’, a character described as a masterful scientist controlling the world from his wheelchair. The film, titled Vala, is directed by Arun Chandu and promises to be a genre-bending science fiction venture following the director’s critically acclaimed mockumentary Gaganachari.

The character poster, which was released earlier this year on the occasion of Jagathy’s 74th birthday, hinted at an intellectually rich and visually compelling narrative.

Now, the teaser begins with a profound monologue by Prof. Ambili:

"Our knowledge is limited. What we do not know is infinite. Today, we stand on a small island of knowledge, surrounded by a vast ocean of the unknown. The task of each new generation is to expand this island and move our understanding closer to its completeness."

Visually, Jagathy appears in a wheelchair, evoking comparisons to the late theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. This striking portrayal has stirred considerable intrigue among cinephiles and fans alike.

Anarkali Marikar plays the female lead, opposite Jagathy’s dual persona as Prof. Ambili, also known as ‘Uncle Lunar’. The film boasts an eclectic ensemble cast with characters bearing eccentric names such as Callisto and Poramboke Pluto. The teaser also features familiar faces from the Malayalam industry including Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Gokul Suresh, and Aju Varghese. Notably, actors K.B. Ganesh Kumar and John Kaippali who previously appeared in Gaganachari, also return in pivotal roles, alongside Madhav Suresh and Bhagath Manuel.

The film explores a futuristic world plagued by zombies — reanimated beings who exist in a liminal state between life and death, spreading their condition through attacks. While the zombie genre is a well-worn path in global cinema, especially in Hollywood, Vala sets out to be one of Malayalam’s earliest forays into the theme, infusing it with cultural specificity and inventive storytelling.

Produced by Turtle Vine Productions in association with Letters Entertainments, Vala continues Arun Chandu’s penchant for unconventional narratives. The screenplay is penned by Tyler Durden and Arun Chandu. The music by Sankar Sharma.

With its cerebral themes, nostalgic resonance, and bold genre experimentation, Vala is shaping up to be a landmark entry in contemporary Malayalam cinema — one that marks the triumphant return of a legendary actor and signals the rise of a daring new cinematic vision.