Kochi: Director Jithin K Jose has revealed that actor Prithviraj Sukumaran was initially considered for the role that Vinayakan eventually played in Kalamkaval, the upcoming action crime thriller starring Mammootty and Vinayakan in lead roles.

Speaking in an interview with Club FM, Jithin said, “Kalamkaval is a story that gives equal space to two strong characters... When I narrated the story to Prithviraj, he suggested that one of the roles would be perfect for Mammootty. Interestingly, that was already on our minds as well.”

The director added that the character played by Vinayakan was originally written for Prithviraj.

“However, due to Prithviraj’s busy schedule with Empuraan and other films at that time, we had to look for other options. It was Mammootty who later recommended Vinayakan for the role,” Jithin revealed.

Kalankaval, produced by Mammootty Kampany, marks Jithin K Jose’s directorial debut and features Gibin Gopinath, Gayatri Arun, and Rajisha Vijayan in key roles. The film is set to release on November 27, 2025.

The much-awaited trailer of Kalamkaval was unveiled on Thursday evening, offering a gripping glimpse into the intense face-off between Mammootty and Vinayakan.

The trailer, packed with raw emotion, dark visuals, and high-tension drama, hints at a gritty crime thriller that explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality. Mammootty appears in a striking grey-shaded role, while Vinayakan’s powerful screen presence sets the stage for a clash of two towering performances.