Mela, Mammootty's film with director Nithish Sahadev, is deep into its shoot, with filming reported to have passed 67 days. Mammootty Kampany last shared footage from the sets on October 6, saying the shoot was under way in Kochi.
Update: The shoot moves to Kottayam
The Mela unit has moved to Kottayam, where filming is now under way at the Great Bombay Circus, set up on the Nagampadam ground. Mammootty has shot a 'maranakinar', or well-of-death, scene inside the circus.
The scene closes a 46-year loop. In KG George's 1980 Mela, also set in a circus, Mammootty played Vijayan, a motorcycle stunt rider, in one of his earliest notable roles.
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Film: Mela
Director: Nithish Sahadev
Writers: Nithish Sahadev, Anuraj OB
Production: Mammootty Kampany (9th production)
Kerala distribution: Wayfarer Films
Cinematography: Jimshi Khalid
Editor: Bles Thomas
Music: Vishnu Vijay
Release: 2027
A director on a roll
Nithish Sahadev made his debut with Falimy (2023), a family comedy starring Basil Joseph. He followed it with the Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (2026), starring Jiiva. Mela is his third film, and his return to Malayalam. He co-wrote it with Anuraj OB.
Mammootty plays a local gangster in the film, with shooting in Karaikudi and Kochi.
Mammootty Kampany's ninth
Mammootty Kampany unveiled the title and first look on September 7, his 75th birthday, calling Mela its ninth production. The banner's films have included Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Rorschach, Kaathal: The Core, Kannur Squad, Turbo, Dominic and the Ladies' Purse and Kalamkaval.
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Father and son
Distribution in Kerala is with Wayfarer Films, the banner run by Mammootty's son Dulquer Salmaan. So one family's two banners make and release the film.
The title has history too. Mammootty acted in KG George's 1980 film Mela, which was set around a circus. The new film is a separate story.
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