Mammootty’s latest Malayalam thriller *Kalamkaval* was released in theaters worldwide on December 5, 2025, although it had to be shifted from its scheduled date of November 27 due to delays in digital rights. Debut director Jithin K. Directed by Jose—who co-wrote the screenplay with Jishnu Sreekumar and had previously written the script for *Kurup*—the film, the seventh production from Mammootty’s company, blends raw psycho-crime investigation with vintage flair. Shot in November 2024 and certified UA 16+ by CBFC, the film features cinematography by Faisal Ali, stunning background score by Mujeeb Majeed and crisp editing by Praveen Prabhakar.
Starring Mammootty as a poisonous serial killer (inspired by the real-life ‘Cyanide’ Mohan, though this is not confirmed) and Vinayakan as a tough cop, the story follows the cat-and-mouse game in the Kerala underworld. The supporting cast—Gibin Gopinath, Gayatri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan, Shruti Ramachandran and others—add depth to the story, with Biju Pappan shining in a cameo.
Initial reviews on Fans are talking about Mammootty’s “evil” role: “He made me feel hate—the best villain!” His sly smile and gestures give goosebumps. Vinayakan’s quiet intensity is also being praised—”Nath is a diamond”—while the shocker of the interval block and the satisfying climax twist leaves the audience in awe: “Unimaginable! So satisfying.”
Mujeeb Majeed’s BGM emerges as the “second hero”, enhancing the vintage songs and adding tension, with reviewers rating it 4/5 for “precise writing and masterclass performance”. Some are questioning the pacing (“a sleeping pill for some”) or the miscasting, but the general consensus is of a blockbuster: “Killer performance—Mammootty is back!” 38K+ tickets were sold till noon on BookMyShow, 140-180K opening expected. Jose’s stellar debut delivers a visual treat – dark, raw and intriguing – which justifies the hype surrounding the film. Amidst the clash with *Dhurandhar*, *Kalamkaval* ends 2025 on a high note, raising hopes to flock to the theaters for Mammootty’s Zaheer Raj.
Comments are closed.