Rakshasaraajavu, starring Mammootty, was a superhit film released in 2001. It hit theatres alongside other Onam releases that year, including Mohanlal’s Raavanaprabhu. Director Vinayan recently shared his memories of the film, in which Mammootty played IPS officer Ramanathan, while Kalabhavan Mani portrayed the villainous minister Gunesekharan.

Vinayan revealed that the story of Rakshasaraajavu was conceived at Mammootty’s suggestion. Work on Vinayan’s previous film, Karumadikkuttan, had already begun before the release of Dadasaheb when Mammootty approached him to create a new story. When Vinayan explained that no story was ready to start immediately, Mammootty encouraged him, saying, “Vinayan, try. If the subject is ready, we can start next month.”

Following the re-recording of Karumadikkuttan, Vinayan spent an entire night developing the story. At the time, the Aluva massacre was dominating the news, and he drew inspiration from the incident, completing the story in three to four days. When he presented it to Mammootty, who was staying at Vinayan’s home in Chennai, the actor approved it immediately, saying, “It’s good, proceed.”

Vinayan noted that the screenplay was not fully completed when shooting began. Despite this, Mammootty’s portrayal of Ramanathan IPS received widespread applause.

In a Facebook post reflecting on the experience, Vinayan shared an old photograph with Mammootty taken during the filming of Rakshasaraajavu, calling it a “sudden project” that turned into a remarkable success.

Vinayan’s Facebook Post (Edited for Clarity)

“The movie ‘Rakshasaraajavu’ was a sudden project. Work on ‘Karumadikkuttan’ had started even before the release of ‘Dadasaheb’. At that time, a new story was quickly created at Mammootty’s suggestion. When I said there was no story ready to start immediately, Mammootty told me, ‘Vinayan, try. If the subject is ready, we can start next month,’ and I was thrilled. Sargam Kabir was also ready to produce the next film.

After the re-recording of Karumadikkuttan, I spent the whole night creating the story. The Aluva murder case was big news at the time, and I based the story on that, completing it in three to four days. I then presented it to Mammootty, who was staying at my home in Chennai. He said, ‘It’s good, proceed.’ The screenplay was not finished when shooting began, yet Mammootty’s character, Ramanathan IPS, received great applause.”