Anna Ben's 'Coimbatore Mappillaii' set for worldwide release on December 24
Synopsis
Tamil cinema gets a Christmas Eve surprise: 'Coimbatore Mappillaii', shot in just 29 days, breaks the mould by casting its director Kishore Rajkumar — a heavier-built actor — as a romantic lead, not comic relief. With Anna Ben opposite him and events giant Noise and Grains making its production debut, the December 24 release is one of Tamil cinema's more unconventional bets this festive season.
Key Takeaways
'Coimbatore Mappillaii' will release worldwide on 24 December 2025 , with Tamil Nadu distribution by AGS Cinemas .
The film stars Anna Ben and director-actor Kishore Rajkumar in the lead roles.
Production house Noise and Grains makes its film debut with this project.
The entire shoot was completed in 29 days , with cinematography and co-writing by Praveen Balu and editing by Ram Pandian .
The film features a protagonist with a heavier build in a romantic lead role — a deliberate creative departure from conventional casting.
Tamil romantic comedy 'Coimbatore Mappillaii', featuring actor Anna Ben and director-actor Kishore Rajkumar in the lead roles, is set to release worldwide on 24 December 2025, the film's makers announced on Friday, 23 October. The Tamil Nadu theatrical release will be handled by AGS Cinemas.
A New Chapter for Noise and Grains
Noise and Grains, an entertainment company widely recognised for staging large-scale cultural events across India, is making its film production debut with 'Coimbatore Mappillaii'. The production house's entry into Tamil cinema marks a notable shift for an organisation that has so far been rooted in live events.
What the Film Is About
Kishore Rajkumar, who both directs and stars in the film, described it as a feel-good romantic comedy centred on compatibility in relationships, with a strong emphasis on the female lead. Speaking about the project, he said: "This is a story filled with romance and humour. The screenplay is crafted to deliver a complete feel-good experience to the audience." Notably, the film features a protagonist with a heavier build — a departure from the typical casting of overweight characters in purely comic roles. Rajkumar took on the role himself, calling it a deliberate creative choice. "While many films have portrayed overweight people in comic roles, this film features a character with a heavier build as the protagonist. I am happy to have played that role myself," he said.
The Cast and Crew
The film boasts an ensemble supporting cast that includes veteran actors K. S. Ravikumar, Ponvannan, Viji Chandrasekhar, Sithappu Saravanan, Vinodhini Vaidhyanathan, Lollu Sabha Manohar, CWC Monisha Blessy, WhatsApp Mani, and Nakkalites Ranjith. Behind the camera, cinematography and co-writing duties were handled by Praveen Balu, with editing by Ram Pandian — both of whom previously worked with Rajkumar on 'Naai Sekar', which starred actor Sathish. Choreography has been overseen by Brindha Master, art direction by Sri Sasikumar K., and costumes by Kiruthikha Sekar.
Production Timeline and Key Details
Rajkumar revealed that the entire shoot was wrapped in a remarkably tight 29 days. He credited the team's cohesion and expressed gratitude to Anna Ben, calling her 'incredibly talented', and to Noise and Grains for backing the project. The film is positioned as a family entertainer designed to appeal to audiences across age groups, promising, in the director's own words, "nonstop laughter and entertainment from beginning to end."
With a Christmas Eve release date and AGS Cinemas driving the Tamil Nadu rollout, 'Coimbatore Mappillaii' will compete in one of the most commercially attractive windows of the Tamil film calendar.
Point of View
Rather than comic relief, is a framing choice that could resonate or divide. Noise and Grains' production debut is worth watching: events companies entering film often bring strong marketing muscle but face steep learning curves in distribution. The 29-day shoot is efficient, but the Christmas Eve slot is fiercely competitive, and the film's success will hinge on how effectively AGS Cinemas positions it against the holiday window's bigger releases. Anna Ben's track record in Malayalam cinema gives the project credibility beyond Tamil Nadu, which could be its most useful asset.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will 'Coimbatore Mappillaii' release in theatres?
'Coimbatore Mappillaii' is set to release worldwide on 24 December 2025. In Tamil Nadu, the film will be distributed by AGS Cinemas.
Who are the lead actors in 'Coimbatore Mappillaii'?
The film stars Anna Ben and Kishore Rajkumar in the lead roles. Kishore Rajkumar also directs the film and plays a protagonist with a heavier build — a deliberate creative choice away from the conventional casting of such characters in comic parts.
Who is producing 'Coimbatore Mappillaii'?
The film is produced by Noise and Grains, a company known for large-scale cultural events in India. 'Coimbatore Mappillaii' marks the organisation's debut in film production.
Who are the key technical crew members on the film?
Cinematography and co-writing are handled by Praveen Balu, editing by Ram Pandian, choreography by Brindha Master, art direction by Sri Sasikumar K., and costumes by Kiruthikha Sekar. Balu and Pandian previously worked with Kishore Rajkumar on 'Naai Sekar'.
How long did it take to shoot 'Coimbatore Mappillaii'?
The entire shoot was completed in 29 days, according to director Kishore Rajkumar. He described the film as a family-oriented romantic comedy designed to deliver 'nonstop laughter and entertainment' from start to finish.
