Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery‘s debut directorial venture, ‘Nayakan’, is all set to make its way back to theatres. Lead actor Indrajith Sukumaran shared the official rerelease poster on Wednesday, confirming that the film will return to the big screen worldwide on September 4. The new theatrical release will feature a fully restored 4K print along with Dolby Atmos sound, offering audiences an upgraded cinematic experience of the 2010 action drama.
From box office disappointment to cult favourite
Penned by PS Rafeeque, ‘Nayakan’ received praise from critics when it first released in 2010. While its visual style, technical finesse and ambitious storytelling impressed reviewers, the film failed to translate that acclaim into commercial success. At the time, many viewers felt the film leaned more towards style than substance. It also faced stiff competition as it hit theatres just a day after ‘Thanthonni’, which starred Indrajith’s brother Prithviraj Sukumaran.Over the years, however, ‘Nayakan’ has undergone a remarkable transformation in public perception. As Lijo Jose Pellissery’s reputation has grown with subsequent films, his debut has found a dedicated fan base and is now widely regarded as a cult classic.
Story blends Kathakali with underworld action
The film follows Varadanunni, a Kathakali performer played by Indrajith Sukumaran, whose life takes a dark turn after his family is murdered by a gangster. Determined to seek revenge, he enters the criminal underworld, setting the stage for an action-packed narrative.One of the film’s defining features is its unusual fusion of Kathakali aesthetics with Hollywood-inspired action sequences. It also became known for its larger-than-life supporting performances, particularly Siddique as an underworld don and Thilakan as a powerful Mafia leader.
Ensemble cast and acclaimed technical team
Apart from Indrajith Sukumaran, the film features Jagathy Sreekumar, Vijayaraghavan, Lalu Alex, Kalashala Babu, Chemban Vinod Jose, Dhanya Mary Varghese, Sreejith Ravi, Anil Murali, Salu K George, Shivaj, Kiranraj, Tosh Christy, Vijay Menon and Ambika Mohan in important roles. Director Lijo Jose Pellissery also makes a brief appearance in the film as an underworld henchman.The film’s visuals were captured by cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa, while Prashant Pillai composed the music. ‘Nayakan’ was produced by Anoop Johnson Karedan.
Restored version offers renewed big-screen experience
With its 4K restoration and enhanced Dolby Atmos audio, the rerelease of ‘Nayakan’ gives longtime fans an opportunity to revisit the film in a superior format, while introducing a new generation of moviegoers to Lijo Jose Pellissery’s first directorial outing on the big screen.
