Murali Gopy plays Medayil Kochettan in Malayalam thriller Varavu
Synopsis
Murali Gopy steps into a new avatar — from investigator Bastin to the intimidating Medayil Kochettan — in Shaji Kailas's revenge thriller Varavu. With Joju George as a paroled murder convict hunting retribution in Malabar, and a stunt team stacked with South India's best, this is shaping up as one of Malayalam cinema's most charged action releases.
Key Takeaways
Murali Gopy will play Medayil Kochettan in the Malayalam film Varavu , confirmed by Olga Productions on 25 May .
Joju George leads the film as Paulson (Polachan), a murder convict on a 10-day parole seeking revenge.
The film is directed by Shaji Kailas — his first collaboration with Joju George.
Antagonist Yohan is played by Abhimanyu Thilakan ; actress Sukanya returns as Paulson's nun sister.
Screenplay is by A.K.
Sajan ; stunt team includes Anup Arivu , Stunt Silva , Kanal Kannan , and others.
The film is set in the Malabar region and produced under the banner of Olga Productions .
Actor Murali Gopy will be seen as Medayil Kochettan in the upcoming Malayalam action-survival thriller Varavu, the film's producers confirmed on 25 May. The character reveal, shared via the official Instagram page of production house Olga Productions, has amplified anticipation for the Shaji Kailas-directed film featuring Joju George in the lead role.
The Character Reveal
Olga Productions unveiled a dedicated poster for Murali Gopy alongside a caption that read: 'Same aura. Different universe.. Bastin to Medayil Kochettan. From investigation to intimidation...Murali Gopy as Medayil Kochettan @varavuthemovie.' The reference to 'Bastin' — a celebrated role from Murali Gopy's earlier work — signals a deliberate pivot from a detective figure to a more menacing, intimidating presence in Varavu.
What the Trailer Reveals
Expectations for the film had already surged following the release of its trailer. The footage introduces Paulson (also known as Polachan), played by Joju George — a murder convict released on a 10-day parole who returns with a singular intent: revenge. The trailer opens with a striking voice-over: 'The pit in our home we ignore every day is the one we fall into first. And our enemies will burn us alive in it.'
Paulson's return throws his adversaries into panic. One villain is heard urging others to cancel his parole, fearing he will extract retribution 'piece by piece.' His elder sister — a nun played by actress Sukanya — is depicted as the only person capable of tempering his resolve, pleading with him to set aside his grudge. Antagonist Yohan, portrayed by Abhimanyu Thilakan, emerges as Paulson's primary nemesis, confidently taking charge of confronting him. Meanwhile, cops observe with unease that five people lie in the ICU without a single statement recorded — underscoring the film's atmosphere of fear and silence.
Setting and Story
Set against the backdrop of the Malabar region, Varavu — taglined 'Game of Survival' — centres on the life struggles of Paulson. Sources indicate the film blends the cultural and social texture of Malabar with high-intensity action-thriller elements. The first look poster, released on Joju George's birthday last year, showed him staring intently through a shattered jeep windshield, foreshadowing the film's gritty register. Varavu also marks the first collaboration between Joju George and director Shaji Kailas.
Cast and Crew
The film features a large ensemble including Arjun Ashokan, Babu Raj, Vinci Aloysius, Saniya Iyyappan, Ashwin Kumar, Biju Pappan, Deepak Parambol, Kottayam Ramesh, and others. The screenplay has been written by A.K. Sajan, known for Chinthamani Kolacase, Red Chillies, and Drona. Cinematography is by S. Saravanan, editing by Shameer Mohammed, and stunt choreography involves a team of top South Indian stunt masters including Anup Arivu, Stunt Silva, Kai Kingston, Jacky Johnson, Phoenix Prabhu, and Kanal Kannan. The film is produced by Reji Prothasis and Nicey Reji under Olga Productions, with Jomy Joseph as co-producer.
With its revenge-driven narrative, Malabar backdrop, and a formidable cast now further bolstered by Murali Gopy's Medayil Kochettan, Varavu is shaping up as one of the more keenly awaited Malayalam releases in the pipeline.
Point of View
Moving from investigator to intimidator. Shaji Kailas, whose commercial instincts are well-established, is clearly building Varavu around a clash of heavyweight screen presences. The Malabar setting adds a regional specificity that Malayalam cinema has mined with increasing sophistication. Whether the film's revenge grammar transcends formula will depend on A.K. Sajan's screenplay — his track record is solid but not without its genre-bound limitations.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Murali Gopy playing in Varavu?
Murali Gopy plays the character Medayil Kochettan in Varavu. The role was revealed by Olga Productions via a character poster, with the caption describing it as a shift 'from investigation to intimidation.'
What is the plot of Varavu?
Varavu follows Paulson (also called Polachan), a murder convict played by Joju George, who is released on a 10-day parole and returns to seek revenge. The story is set in the Malabar region and is described as an action-survival thriller.
Who is directing Varavu?
Varavu is directed by Shaji Kailas , a veteran Malayalam filmmaker. This is his first collaboration with lead actor Joju George.
Who else is in the cast of Varavu?
The film features Abhimanyu Thilakan as antagonist Yohan, Sukanya as Paulson's nun sister, and a large ensemble including Arjun Ashokan, Babu Raj, Saniya Iyyappan, Deepak Parambol, and Kottayam Ramesh, among others.
Who wrote the screenplay for Varavu?
The screenplay for Varavu was written by A.K. Sajan , known for Malayalam films such as Chinthamani Kolacase, Red Chillies, and Drona.
