Coronavirus outbreak, Kerala movie theatres to remain shut till March 31

As Kerala
confirmed its 12th coronavirus positive case on Tuesday, Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan announced that movie theatres will remain closed till March
31. Announcing a slew of measures to curb further spread of the virus in the
coastal state, the state government has declared holiday for educational
institutions.

The
announcement will hit movies that were scheduled to release Friday and later
this month. The list includes Mohanlal’s highly anticipated big budget film
Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film was
scheduled to hit screens on March 26.

Ever since
the announcement of the project, fans have been waiting with bated breath for
the release of the movie. According to media reports, the period drama is
produced at a budget of Rs 100 crore. Co-produced by Antony Perumbavoor and
Ashirvad Cinemas, the film is touted to be the most expensive Malayalam film
yet. Mohanlal plays the titular role of Kunjali Marakkar IV, who was the naval
chief of the Zamorin of Calicut. The film also features Bollywood actor Suniel
Shetty, Manju Warrier, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Keerthy Suresh, Mukesh, Siddique
among others.

Marakkar:
Arabikadalinte Simham is Priyadarshan’s 45th film as a director and the 25th
movie which will be bankrolled by Aashirvad Cinemas.