The Malayalam film fraternity is abuzz with the news as two of its most revered artists, Shobana and superstar Mohanlal, are all set to grace the silver screen together after a hiatus of almost two decades. The project that has become the talk of the town is titled ‘L 360’, a significant milestone being the illustrious 360th film of Mohanlal’s career. Helming this highly anticipated film is director Tharun Moorthy, known for his impactful films ‘Operation Java’ and ‘Saudi Vellakka’.
Shobana, a celebrated actor and dancer, could barely contain her excitement as she took to Instagram to announce her involvement in the project. “This is Lalji’s 360th film, and I wish him the best. This also marks our 56th film together, and I am super excited,” she exclaimed in her video announcement, a sentiment echoed by countless cinephiles who have long cherished the onscreen chemistry between the two stalwarts.
The duo’s legacy in Malayalam cinema is nothing short of legendary, with an extensive repertoire of over 50 films together. Their remarkable journey commenced with ‘Avidathepole Ivideyum’ in 1985 and has seen them collaborate on seminal movies such as ‘Nadodikkattu’, ‘Vellanakalude Nadu’, ‘Manichithrathazhu’, ‘Thenmavin Kombathu’, ‘Minnaram’, ‘Pavithram’, and many more. Each film is a testament to their incredible synergy and the timeless appeal they exert over the audience.
Their last joint outing was in 2004 with ‘Mambazhakkalam’, and although Shobana made a brief appearance in Mohanlal’s 2009 action film ‘Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded’, fans have eagerly awaited another full-fledged collaboration. Now, with the upcoming ‘L 360’, it seems their wait is finally over.
Details about the film are still under wraps, but what is known is that ‘L 360’ is penned by Tharun and KR Sunil and that the preparation for shooting is well underway. The production is being handled by the Rejaputhra Vishal Media banner, promising to bring the utmost quality to this milestone cinema.
Director Tharun Moorthy made his debut with the riveting crime thriller ‘Operation Java’ in 2021, which starred Lukman, Balu Varghese, and Binu Pappu. He quickly followed up that success with ‘Saudi Vellakka’ in 2022, once again teaming up with Lukman and Binu Pappu alongside Devi Varma and Sujith Shankar. His growing filmography points to a director with a knack for telling engaging stories that resonate with the audience.
Meanwhile, Mohanlal, who was most recently seen in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’, continues to maintain a busy slate with an array of promising projects ahead. Infusing excitement into the industry are his upcoming ventures which include the Netflix anthology film ‘Olavum Theeravum’, the Jeethu Joseph-directed ‘Ram’, and the much-anticipated sequel to ‘Lucifer’, titled ‘Empuraan’. Adding to this exciting line-up are Vishnu Manchu’s ‘Kannappa’, Nanda Kishore’s Kannada film ‘Vrushabha’, Joshiy’s ‘Rambaan’, and his directorial debut ‘Barroz’, which is eagerly anticipated by cinephiles both in Kerala and across the Indian cinema landscape.
The reunion of Shobana and Mohanlal through ‘L 360’ is sure to spark a wave of nostalgia and thrill among the fans who have held their collaborations close to their hearts. It’s a revival of an era where their collective charm and performance magic ruled the box office and left indelible impressions on the canvas of Malayalam cinema. As the project moves forward, audiences wait with bated breath for the return of one of Malayalam cinema’s favorite pairings.
