Mohanlal had no thought what the storyline or who his character was when he teamed up with director Sathyan Anthikad for Hridayapoorvam, releasing on August 28, 2025. The final movie that the 2 had labored collectively was Ennum Eppozhum in 2015. Yet, such is the actor’s religion within the director that he agreed to do the film with out a second thought.
Nevertheless, throughout a personal movie award present, Mohanlal couldn’t resist requesting the director to provide him a glimpse of his character within the movie, Sandeep Balakrishnan. Recalls Sathyan, “There was a music and dance show on stage. Although we were sitting next to each other, it was hard to talk. However, Lal was keen to get an idea of the story and so I narrated the gist of the story in his ear. He smiled, it was clear that he liked the story. For a while, he seemed to be watching the show. But, after a while, he whispered, ‘Don’t you think Hridayapoorvam would be a good title for this film?’ I agreed immediately. That is how Mohanlal christened this movie.”
Decades separate Sandeep Balakrishnan and TP Balagopalan, with the latter function fetching him his first Kerala State Film Award for the Best Actor within the movie TP Balagopalan M.A. (1986). Yet, Sathyan Anthikad, who has directed each the flicks, insists that he’s nonetheless enamoured of the actor’s skill to effortlessly slip into the pores and skin of his character and his dedication.
Impressed by Mohanlal’s easy ease
“Lal’s ability to make his acting look so effortless continues to amaze me. If one were to look at him in front of the camera, it is easy to fool oneself into believing that acting is the easiest thing in the world. Moreover, it is his enthusiasm and passion for cinema that define his work,” believes Sathyan. The filmmaker emphasises that Mohanlal approached each Balagopalan and Sandeep with the identical sincerity.
Malavika Mohanan in ‘Hridayapoorvam’.
| Photo Credit:
Aashirvad Cinemas/YouTube
Pointing out that Mohanlal has been in filmdom for greater than 47 years, Sathyan says that at one level, sure individuals would possibly really feel overwhelmed by the similarity within the work, for “working in cinema is both work and enjoyment. For actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty, fervour for their work and acting have not dimmed one bit.”
“I remember Fazil telling me that during the shooting of Manichitrathazhu, there was one particular scene in which he felt there was a lag in the dialogue delivery and requested Mohanlal for a retake. The actor immediately agreed. When Fazil explained the reason why he wanted a retake, Lal told him that he did not realise there was a lag because he only recalled the director announcing ‘action’ and then ‘cut’. That is the actor Lal is. He might be joking and fooling around, but the minute the director calls ‘action’ he becomes the character. When Fazil took another look at the scene, it was perfectly acted by Lal!” recounts Sathyan.
Sathyan Anthikad with Malavika Mohanam and Sangeeth Prathap on the units of the movie.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
He provides that Hridayapoorvam’s Sandeep is in contrast to any of the larger-than-life characters that Mohanlal has essayed in a number of motion pictures previously. “This is the Mohanlal that family audiences like to watch on screen. This is the kind of character that has endeared the actor to viewers; the common man and his world of small joys and challenges. He acts in such a role after a fairly long break. Moreover, this is the first film of Mohanlal that is being shot in sync sound in the latest technology,” provides the director.
The director avers that family-oriented motion pictures are his energy. “The only thriller I have directed is Pingami. It did not make a splash in cinemas but now it has become a popular watch. I still maintain that family-oriented movies still have an audience.’
Viral trailer of the film
Meanwhile, the teaser of the film with a dialogue about FaFa (Fahadh Faasil) and a light-hearted discussion about who the better actor is has gone viral. “Initially, I though the teaser was a little over the top. But my eldest son, Arun, watched it and said that it was ideal for the film. Lal is not the kind who has a complex about another actor. I knew he would be completely at ease with the short scene,” laughs Sathyan.
ALSO READ: ‘Hridayapoorvam’ teaser: Mohanlal charms in Sathyan Anthikad’s upcoming drama, meets a Fahadh Faasil superfan
Written by Sathyan’s son Akhil Sathyan, the movie’s affiliate director is his twin, Anoop Sathyan. “It’s all in the family,” laughs Sathyan. The dialogues and screenplay are by debutant Sonu TP. The director contacted Sonu after watching a quick movie of his, Night Call (2022).
Shot in Pune and Kochi, the story is reportedly about a coronary heart transplant recipient and his journey when he meets the donor’s household.
Sangeeth Prathap and Mohanlal in ‘Hridayapoorvam’.
| Photo Credit:
Aashirvad Cinemas/YouTube
The filmmaker feels that the USP of the movie is the pleasant teamwork of two generations of actors. Sangeeta, Siddique, Lalu Alex, Janardhanan and Baburaj together with Malavika Mohanan, Sangeeth Pratap, Nishan are a few of the actors within the film.
“I feel Sangeeta is an actor who should be seen more in Malayalam movies,” quips the director. Meera Jasmine and Basil Joseph seem in cameos. Justin Prabhakaran is the music director and cinematographer is Anu Moothedath.
In addition to naming the movie, the actor’s handwritten title of the movie has been used for the movie. “Although the artist showed us a few sketches, I was not enthused by any of those. That is when I requested Lal to write Hridayapoorvam in his hand and that is the one we decided to use,” explains the director.
The movie director provides that this film is a feel-good film to swimsuit the festive season of Onam. “It’s a film I would like to watch with my family during the festival season.”
Hridayapoorvam releases in theatres on August 28
