Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty has made a powerful return to the silver screen with the release of the much-anticipated crime thriller Kalamkaval. The film, which opened in theatres on December 5, 2025, has already demonstrated strong commercial pull, racking up over Rs 2.25 crore from advance ticket sales in Kerala alone. This marks a significant comeback for the superstar, who had taken a brief hiatus from filming due to health reasons.
Mammootty's Intriguing Anti-Hero Role
In a departure from conventional heroic roles, Mammootty embraces a darker character in Kalamkaval. Prior to the film's release, the actor himself hinted at the complexity of his part, describing his character as 'not a good soul'. He plays an anti-hero, standing in opposition to the protagonist portrayed by acclaimed actor Vinayakan.
Mammootty elaborated on his approach to roles in a conversation with actor-screenwriter Santhi Mayadevi. When questioned about playing a hero or a villain, he provided a nuanced perspective. "Even other (non-lead) characters can show heroism, right? At the same time, villains can also be major characters," he stated. He cautioned against rigid categorisation, suggesting it could lead to missing out on compelling performances, citing his acclaimed role in Bramayugam as an example of a non-traditional lead that proved highly effective.
Buzz and Speculation Around the Plot
The promotional material for Kalamkaval successfully generated substantial excitement among audiences and cinephiles. A significant part of the pre-release buzz stemmed from widespread speculation that Mammootty's character might be inspired by the notorious serial killer Mohan Kumar, infamously known as 'Cyanide Mohan'. Kumar was convicted for the murder of 20 women between 2004 and 2009, using cyanide poisoning as his method.
This potential real-life connection has added a layer of grim intrigue and heightened anticipation for the film's narrative, promising a gritty and intense crime drama experience.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
Kalamkaval boasts an extensive and talented supporting cast alongside the two leading men. The film features a mix of established names and promising new faces, including:
- Gibin Gopinath
- Gayatri Arun
- Rajisha Vijayan
- Aravind SK
- Shruti Ramachandran
- Azees Nedumangad
- Biju Pappan
Other notable actors in the lineup are Harisankar SG, RJ Sooraj, Dhanya Ananya, Abi Suhana, and a host of talented female actors such as Nisa, Trivedha, Smitha, Anupama, Sindhu Varma, Vaishnavi Sai Kumar, Malavika, Mohanapriya, Sidhi Fathima, Seemasindhukrishna, Kabani, Diya, Amritha, Mullai Arasi, Catherine Mariya, and Megha Thomas, with Bincy also featuring in the project.
The impressive advance collection figure of Rs 2.25 crore is a clear indicator of Mammootty's unwavering star power and the audience's appetite for a well-crafted crime story. As Kalamkaval unfolds on screens across Kerala and beyond, all eyes are on how this dark drama will be received by critics and the general public in its full cinematic form.
