Jyothish Shankar and G. R. Indugopan, the director and writer of Ponman (2025), are teaming up again for a new Malayalam film under the banner of Satyam Cinemas. The team announced it with a casting call on October 25, 2026, shared from PRO Pratheesh Sekhar's X handle. The film is untitled and no cast has been announced yet.
The official post does not name a PRO. Media copy, including Mathrubhumi, credits Pratheesh Sekhar. No post from Satyam Cinemas' own handle has been found yet.
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Jyothish Shankar and G. R. Indugopan: the Ponman pair returns
Ponman was Jyothish's first film as a director. It was adapted from Indugopan's novel Nalanchu Cheruppakkar, and Indugopan wrote the script with Justin Mathew, according to The Hindu. The official trailer lists Basil Joseph, Sajin Gopu and Lijomol Jose in the lead roles.
Watch the Ponman trailer here:
Indugopan's stories on screen
Indugopan's novels and short stories have been adapted by several directors. Three of those films, with their source and director, are listed below. Each came from a different kind of source, a short story, a novella and a novel.
Oru Thekkan Thallu Case (2022): Directed by Sreejith N, his debut. Based on the short story Ammini Pilla Vettu Case, as reported by The Hindu. Released on September 8, 2022.
Kaapa (2022): Directed by Shaji Kailas. Based on the novella Shankumukhi, according to Cinema Express. Released on December 22, 2022.
Ponman (2025): Directed by Jyothish Shankar, his debut. Based on the novel Nalanchu Cheruppakkar, with the script by Indugopan and Justin Mathew.
Two of these three films were first features for their directors. The new project will be Jyothish's second film as director, and his second with Indugopan.
From art director to director
Jyothish is an art director and production designer. His art direction credits include Adaminte Makan Abu (2011), North 24 Kaatham (2013), Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), Joseph and Eeda (2018), Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) and Bramayugam (2024).
On the production design side, he worked on Kumbalangi Nights, Virus and Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25 in 2019, Malayankunju in 2022, and Neelavelicham and Janaki Jaane in 2023. In 2025 he handled Lovely and Dies Irae, and he was his own production designer on Ponman, according to Cinema Express. Velleppam (2026) is also on his list.
Key details
Director: Jyothish Shankar
Writer: G. R. Indugopan
Banner: Satyam Cinemas
Title and cast: Not announced
Previous film together: Ponman (2025)
Casting call: how to apply
The team is looking for boys aged 4 to 7 and men and women aged 20 to 65. Applicants have to send two unedited photographs and a self-introduction video on WhatsApp to +91 98464 61456. The last date is November 5, 2026.
Ponman's cast member Sajin Gopu also features in our story on Dhoomakethu's Netflix release.
