Pokkiri Raja beats T:20 record!

Mammootty and Prithviraj’s mass masala entertainerPokkiri Raja, has created box-office history by collecting a distributors share of Rs 2 crore 21 lakhs in its opening week from 110 screens in India (90 of them are in Kerala).

As per trade sources: “Pokkiri Raja has scored at the box-office by beating the existing record ofTwenty:20, which did Rs 2.03 crore in the first week. The single biggest share is from Kozhikode Apsara (Rs 8.75 lakh), followed by Kavita, Ernakulam (Rs 7.67 lakh).

The critics may not like the film, but masses are freaking out on it. However the trade is not willing to give Mammootty full credit for the film. Says a theatre owner from Malabar area of the state where the film is doing extraordinary business: “ Mammooka appears only towards the interval point of the film. It is Prithviraj who carries the show. I would give the younger actor 55 percent for the success of the film.” Says a prominent theatre owner from Thiruvananthapuram district: “Both Mammookka and Prithviraj fans worked in tandem for the success of the film.” Any which way you lookPokkiri Raja, is surely the biggest hit of the year so far.

‘Pokkiri Raja is a complete entertainer’

First time director Vyshakh gets talking about Pokkiri Raja, the most anticipated Malayalam film of this year

How did Pokkiri Raja happen?

It all began when I was working, as an associate, for Twenty-20, the action thriller film. I discussed the story idea with scriptwriters Udayakrishna and Sibi K. Thomas. Gradually, we developed the story and focussed on the character of Raja, to be played by Mammootty. Simultaneously, Surya’s character was also developed. And when we narrated the story to Mammootty, it was he who suggested Raju (Prithviraj) for the role. I discussed the story with Raju while we worked together in Robinhood. He was quite impressed. That’s how the film happened.

What is the film about?

It’s an entertainer. I’d like to point out that the film will stand out because of its high-energy level. Being a youngster myself, I wanted to make a film that was youthful in spirit and had high energy. I’m sure it will leave the audience spellbound.

The film will also make an impact with its script. Sibi and Udayakrishna have delivered their best. The film’s script is quite fast and racy like Twenty-20.

What about the budget?

It’s definitely a big-budget film. The presence of the most sought-after stars along with 55 prominent artistes and the huge canvas makes it a big-budget film. In fact, at the outset itself, we had told the producers that it would be a big film. They assured us that there wouldn’t be any kind of budget constraints. I’d thank my producer for having given me uncompromising support.

How did Shriya Saran come in?

With Mammootty and Prithviraj doing key roles, we wanted the heroine to be one of the top actresses. This was how Shriya came in.

How do you feel after making your directorial debut with such a big film?

After being associated with directors like Johnny Antony and Joshiy, I have been trained to think big. I wanted to make a film on a big canvas.

thanks to Unni R. Nair

Alexander devastated by Pokkiri Raja

Last Friday Mollywood saw the grand opening of two films by the two superstars of the industry Mammootty and Mohanlal. It was Pokkiri Raja Vs Alexander The Great. After a long dispute among the producers and the theater owners, it was finally decided that films will be screened in theaters from May 7. And the opening war was between Pokkiri and Alexander.

Reports claim that Alexander has been devastated by Pokkiri Raja. Starring Mammootty and Prithviraj, Pokkiri Raja is a mass masala entertainer. The movie also marks the entry of South hottie Shreya Saran in Malayalam industry. It tells the story of two brothers Raja and Surya. The movie already has got rave reviews and is running successfully in all the released theaters. Mammootty and Prithviraj are seen together in a film for the first time.

By the time Alexander The Great has become a failure. Mohanlal plays the role of a genius in the film and is an illegitimate son of Prathapa Varma, played by Saikumar. The movie has nothing much interesting in it. Mean time Jayaram- Mamta starred Katha Thudarunnu is moving in a slow and steady pace and is sure to win the family audience.

PokkiriRaja Theater List

• Trivandrum-New,Dhanya,Remya
• Ernakulam-Kavitha
• Kollam-Dhanya
• Attingal-Ganga
• Banglore-PVR
• Kottayam--Anupama
• Changanassery-Apsara
• Pala-Maharani
• Thalayolaparambu-Prabhus
• Kajirappally-GrandOpera
• Mundakayam-Mundakayam Theater
• Mavelikara-Santhosh & Sandra
• Thrissur-Girija
• Calicut-Apasara
• Palakkad-Priyadarsini Complex
• Shornur-Suma
• Cherppulassery-Plaza
• Peringottukara-DEVA
• Chalakkudy-Surabhi
• Alappuzha-Pankaj
• Perumbavoor-EVM
• Nedumangad-Rani
• Thalasserry-Liberty Paradise
• Karunagappally-Tharangam

Mammootty Pokkiri Raja postponed!

The deadly combo Mammootty- Prithviraj’s eagerly awaited Vysakh directed Pokkiri Raja, which was to release on April 30 has been postponed to May 6.

It has upset the fans of Mammootty and Prithviraj who were waiting to watch their heroes scorch the screen.

The film which is being censored today would have been actually ready for release this Friday. But the stand off between distributors and theatres in Kerala has resulted in the postponement.

All the theatres in Kerala and outside were also looking forward to the biggie which carries good pre-release reports. Let us hope the stalemate in the trade would end soon, as this is peak summer season, the best time to release a film.

Pokkiri Raja in 124 centres

Malayalam megastar Mammootty and youth icon Prithviraj starrer Pokkiri Raja, written and directed by debutant Vysakh (a former assistant of Joshi and Johnny Antony) will grace theatres on April 30. According to sources, the makers are releasing the flick in 84 centres within the state and in 31 centres outside Kerala.

Featuring Mammootty and Prithviraj as brothers, the movie marks the Malayalam debut of popular South Indian actress Shriya Saran. Music is by Jassie Gift and Kaithapram. The film, produced by Mulagupadam Films, has Nedumudi Venu, Thilakan, Siddique, Saikumar, Innocent, Sooraj Venjaranmoodu and Salimkumar also in the cast.

Pokkiri Raja confirmed on April 30

The Mammootty-Prithviraj-Shriya action entertainer Pokkiri Raja will release worldwide on April 30. The film, which is directed by Vysakh, is getting censored today.

The ‘no new release ban’ put by the Kerala film distributors is being removed after peace talks were held between exhibitors and distributors in Kochi on Saturday.

The producers, Mulugupadam, have very ambitious plans for the release ofPokkiri Raja. It will release in 85 screens in Kerala, and 30 screens outside the state, including four in Chennai city.

The film, scripted by Udayan and Sibi, is said to be a “pucca masala entertainer where two brothers, played by Mammootty and Prithviraj, are pitted against each other.” The film has music by Jassie Gift.

Pokkiri Raja - Photos

Mammootty starts shooting ‘Pokkiri Raja’

Mammootty and Prithviraj's second film together ‘Pokkiri Raja’ will kick off its shoot at Pollachi today. The movie will have both of the stars as brothers. Scripted by Udhay Krishna-Sibi K Thomas, the movie will have Shriya Saran for the first time in Malayalam. The songs written by Kaithapram and set to music by Jassie Gift for the movie are said to be potential hits.

Mammootty earlier did a guest role in the Prithviraj movie ‘One Way Ticket’, that didn't fare well at the Box Office.

Pokkiri Raja launched

The pooja of superstar Mammootty's next film Pokkiri Raja, directed by debutant Vyshakh (former assistant of Joshi and Johnny Antony) and produced by Tomichan Mulakupadam, was held today (Wednesday) at Changanacherry. Mammootty, Prithviraj, Shriya Saran and all crew members of the film were present during the occasion.

Regular shooting will begin on January 11 and the schedule will run for 65 days. Scripted by Udhay Krishna-Sibi K. Thomas, the film marks the re-entry of South India's sensational music composer Jassie Gift to Malayalam. Kaithapram has written four songs for the film.

After playing a crazy fan of Mammootty in One Way Ticket (2008), Prithviraj will be seen as Mammootty's younger brother in Pokkiri Raja, which also has Nedumudi Venu, Thilakan, Siddique, Saikumar, Innocent, Sooraj Venjaranmoodu and Salimkumar playing major roles. Pokkiri Raja will be Mammootty's big summer release.

Shriya Saran goes to Malayalam!

If you do a sting operation on how desperate stars become, if offers dry up, then our heroines take the cake.

Shriya Saran after doing films with top heroes like Rajnikanth, Jayam Ravi, Vijay and Vikram, she has now reportedly signed a film opposite Malayalam superstar Mammootty written and directed by debutant Vysakh.

The buzz is that Shriya quiet liked the script and they needed only 30 days call sheet from her. This film titled Pokkiri Raja is a mass masala action entertainer where Mammootty and Pritviraj play brothers.

When contacted, Shriya confirmed the news and says that she will start shooting for the film from January 2010. She also added that reports about her doing a film opposite Srikanth is baseless and talks are on with Super Good films for a film with Jeeva in the lead.

Prithvi As Mammootty's brother

Prithvi might act as Mammootty's brother in Pokkiriraja. The film is directed by Vaishakh under the banner of Mulakupaadom films. Script is by Sibi - Udayan. The film is planned as a Vishu 2010 film. Shoot to start in November.

Pokkiri Raja