Elephants Bring Real Fear to 'Kattalan' Set

Actor Raj Tirandasu, recently seen in 'Pushpa: The Rise', has made his debut in Malayalam cinema with the film 'Kattalan'. The movie, set against the backdrop of a violent ivory smuggling ring, features Tirandasu in the role of Maari. He shared that filming action sequences alongside real, trained elephants in Bangkok was one of the most demanding aspects of his career.

Tirandasu admitted the experience was often frightening due to the inherent unpredictability of working with live animals, noting that "one small mistake and things could have gone completely wrong." However, he also emphasized that this unpredictability lent a unique, authentic energy to the action scenes, enhancing their raw and believable quality in a way that could not be artificially created.

The filmmakers prioritized naturalistic action, focusing on grounded storytelling rather than exaggerated choreography. Tirandasu praised the crew and action team for their massive efforts in managing these large-scale sequences under difficult conditions. The film, directed by debutant Paul George, was released in theaters on May 28, 2026, generating significant pre-release buzz due to potential narrative links with 'Marco'.

Initial audience reactions on social media have been positive, highlighting the screenplay, performances, narration, and Ravi Basrur's background score. Despite speculation about a connection to the 'Marco' universe, actor Unni Mukundan's team clarified his non-involvement. 'Kattalan' also features Dushara Vijayan, Jagadish, Siddique, and others.