From Mohanlal's Odiyan to Mammootty's Bilal: Top 5 most anticipated Malayalam movies of 2018

Malayalam film industry after 2015 changed immensely and many Mollywood flicks, especially with Mohanlal in the lead role, are being made with luxurious budgets. The success of 'Pulimurugan' which racked up more than  Rs.170 crore at the box-office has given the producers extra courage to pour in whopping millions in the industry.

IB Times India presents you the list of five most anticipated Malayalam movies of 2018.

Odiyan

Odiyan is perhaps the most awaited movie of the year. This Mohanlal flick is being directed by renowned ad filmmaker Sreekumar Menon, and it features Mohanlal in the lead role. Made with a lavish budget, the film is expected to emerge as a real turning point in the superstar's career which is now in its 38th year.

Odiyan is loaded with an ensemble star cast including big names like Manju Warrier, Prakash Raj, Siddique and Narain. The film is expected to be a fantasy outing which will mainly narrate the story of black magic and witchcraft in ancient Palakkad, a district in Kerala.

Two teasers of the film were released recently and both of them were well received by critics and audience alike. Makers of the movie are planning to release Odiyan on October 11, 2018.

Bilal

The character which Mammootty portrayed in the movie 'Big B' is widely considered the most stylish role in the actor's career. Now, director Amal Neerad is coming up with a sequel to this movie and he has named it 'Bilal'.

As per close sources to the movie, the makers are quite keen to rope in Mammootty's son Dulquer Salmaan to enact a crucial role in this flick. However, an official confirmation in this regard is yet to be made.

The makers are now apparently busy finalizing the remaining star cast for the flick. If everything goes well, the film will hit the theaters in December 2018.

Kayamkulam Kochunni

Acclaimed filmmaker Rosshan Andrews is making 'Kayamkulam Kochunni' with young Superstar Nivin Pauly in the lead role. The film will portray the story of Kochunni, the legendary thief who has a gold-like heart.

The major highlight of this movie will be the special cameo appearance of Mohanlal. The Superstar is apparently enacting the role of 'Ithikkara Pakki', Kochunni's mentor in this movie.

The movie which is being made with a budget of Rs.45 crore will hit the big screen on August 18, 2018.

Lelam 2

Lelam 2, the much-anticipated sequel of yesteryear blockbuster Lelam is also expected to hit the screens this year. Action King Suresh Gopi will once again portray the iconic role of 'Aanakkatil Chackochi' in this movie, and his fans believe that the actor will make a strong comeback through this flick.

Nithin Renji Panicker, the director who debuted with Mammootty's Kasaba will be directing Lelam 2. Renji Panicker has apparently completed the script of this film and the shooting is expected to begin soon.

Nine

'Nine' marks the debut of Sony Pictures in Mollywood. The film directed by Jenuse Mohammed features Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, while Wamiqa Gabbi enacts the role of female lead.

As per latest updates, 'Nine' will be a science fiction horror thriller, and it is being made with a lavish undisclosed budget.