Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi, who surprised his fans with his mass look on the poster for his upcoming film Ottakomban, has revealed a new, clean-shaven look on social media. This new look has led fans to speculate that there may be delays or disruptions in the filming of Ottakomban. Some fans even commented that this new look brings back memories of the iconic "old Suresh Gopi," hinting at nostalgia but also sparking concern about the project's status.

Earlier, reports indicated that the shooting of Ottakomban was slated to begin in September, with Suresh Gopi growing a beard specifically for his role. The actor maintained this look in public for several months as part of his preparation. However, Suresh Gopi’s status as a Union Minister has posed complications, with the central government reportedly not permitting him to participate in film projects while holding his ministerial position. Legal restrictions reportedly prevent Union and State Ministers from taking up additional work.

Despite these challenges, in August, Suresh Gopi confirmed that shooting was set to proceed, and he had formally requested permission from the Centre. He mentioned that filming would commence on September 6, pending approval. In a humorous exchange, he noted that he had informed the government of his acting plans, jokingly adding that if his ministerial role were at risk due to Ottakomban, it might be worth it.

Suresh Gopi said that when he informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah of his 22 upcoming film projects, Shah assured him that the necessary permissions would be granted soon. He reaffirmed his intention to begin shooting on September 6, humourously adding, “If they send me away because of this, then I’d say I escaped.”

Gopi in October also mentioned that Ottakomban’s filming is now awaiting the final selection of the heroine, adding another step before production can fully proceed.

Ottakomban, Suresh Gopi’s 250th film, marks a major milestone in his career. Directed by debutant Mathews Thomas and produced by Tomichan Mulakuppadam, the film is written by Shibin Francis, with cinematography by Shaji Kumar, and music composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar. 

Suresh Gopi takes on the role of Kuruvachan, with a star-studded cast.