Director and screenwriter Vipin Das has revealed that a planned film with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has been shelved after the actor was reportedly not impressed with the story. The revelation came during an interview with Mathrubhumi News, given ahead of the release of his upcoming film Vyasana Sametham Bandhu Mithradhikal, in which he also has a production role.

Vipin was responding to a question about his forthcoming projects. "Shooting for Vaazha 2 is underway. Around 40 percent has been completed. Santhosh Trophy will begin in September. Everything else is mere speculation," the director said.

He went on to add, "I had narrated another story to Lal Sir (Mohanlal), but it was dropped. There was also a Fahadh Faasil–S. J. Suryah film in the works, but that too was shelved due to date and budget constraints. As for Lal Sir's film, he simply didn’t like the story very much."

In a separate interview, Vipin confirmed that the film originally intended for Fahadh and S. J. Suryah will go ahead with two other lead actors replacing them.

There had been widespread speculation on social media that Vipin Das was writing a script for a Mohanlal film to be directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. However, no such project seems to be in the making as of now.

Vipin's next directorial, Santhosh Trophy, will star Prithviraj in the lead and follows his earlier collaboration with him in Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil. Vipin Das gained widespread recognition with his film Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, and has also directed Antakshari and Mudhugauv. The upcoming Vaazha 2: Biopic of Billion Bros will be a sequel to last year’s original.