Mohanlal's Athimanoharam final edit locked, releases Dec 24
Synopsis
The final edit of Mohanlal's much-awaited Malayalam film Athimanoharam is locked and headed for a Christmas Day release on 24 December. Director Tharun Moorthy and Mohanlal's first collaboration since their blockbuster Thudaram, the film co-stars Meera Jasmine and features Mohanlal as a police officer named T S Lovelajan — raising the stakes for one of Malayalam cinema's most anticipated festive releases.
Key Takeaways
Producer Ashiq Usman confirmed the final edit of Athimanoharam has been locked on 27 October 2026 .
The film is set for theatrical release on 24 December 2026 , targeting the Christmas holiday window.
Mohanlal plays a police officer named T S Lovelajan ; Meera Jasmine is the female lead.
Dubbing commenced on 17 August 2026 ; filming was conducted over at least 78 days in Thodupuzha , Kerala.
Director Tharun Moorthy denied false online reports of a shoot halt in June 2026 , calling them 'completely false'.
The film marks the reunion of Moorthy and Mohanlal after their blockbuster collaboration Thudaram .
Producer Ashiq Usman announced on 27 October 2026 that the final edit of the highly anticipated Malayalam film Athimanoharam has been locked, confirming a theatrical release on 24 December 2026. Directed by Tharun Moorthy and starring superstar Mohanlal in the lead, the film has been one of the most closely watched Malayalam projects of the year.
Producer Confirms Release Date
Usman shared the milestone on his Instagram page, writing: 'Final edit locked ❤️ Come, let's celebrate Mohanlal (Lal Sir) once again!! Athimanoharam in cinemas from Dec 24th!!' The announcement was met with immediate enthusiasm from fans, with the film's Christmas release positioning it for a high-visibility holiday window.
Production Journey and Challenges
The film, which was originally referred to by the working title #L366, began dubbing on 17 August this year. Usman had at the time posted a picture of cast members in the dubbing studio, marking a key post-production milestone. Filming was carried out in Thodupuzha, Kerala, spanning at least 78 days of shooting, according to director Moorthy.
In June 2026, Moorthy was compelled to issue a public clarification after online reports claimed that the shoot had been halted due to script confusion. He firmly denied the claims, stating: 'This is completely false.' The director acknowledged that rain and adverse weather conditions in Thodupuzha had affected some schedules, but said the team was 'working hard to overcome every challenge and continue filming with great enthusiasm and positivity.' He also urged the public not to spread unverified information, saying such misinformation 'can create unnecessary confusion among the audience and affect the efforts of the entire team.'
Cast and the Mohanlal-Moorthy Reunion
Meera Jasmine plays the female lead alongside Mohanlal, who portrays a police officer named T S Lovelajan in the film. The pairing of Moorthy and Mohanlal has generated considerable excitement given the phenomenal success of their previous collaboration, Thudaram, which became a blockbuster. This reunion has been a primary driver of audience anticipation since the project was first announced.
What to Expect Next
With the final edit now locked, the production team is expected to move swiftly on audio and promotional campaigns ahead of the 24 December release. A Christmas theatrical window places Athimanoharam in direct competition with other festive releases, raising the stakes for what is already being seen as one of the season's marquee Malayalam films.
Point of View
Which forced the director into a public denial mid-shoot, is a reminder of how social media speculation can destabilise productions before they have a chance to shape their own narrative. Whether Athimanoharam can convert its anticipation into opening-weekend numbers will depend heavily on how the promotional campaign is timed in the six weeks ahead.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Athimanoharam releasing in cinemas?
Athimanoharam is set to release in cinemas on 24 December 2026. Producer Ashiq Usman confirmed the date alongside the news that the film's final edit has been locked.
Who are the lead actors in Athimanoharam?
Mohanlal plays the lead role — a police officer named T S Lovelajan — while Meera Jasmine plays the female lead. The film is directed by Tharun Moorthy and produced by Ashiq Usman.
Is Athimanoharam a sequel to Thudaram?
Athimanoharam is not a sequel but a fresh collaboration between director Tharun Moorthy and superstar Mohanlal, their first project together since their blockbuster Thudaram. The reunion has been a major source of audience anticipation.
Why did director Tharun Moorthy deny shoot-halt rumours?
In June 2026, online reports falsely claimed that filming had stopped due to script confusion. Moorthy issued a clarification calling the reports 'completely false,' noting the team had been shooting in Thodupuzha for 78 days and that only weather conditions had caused minor disruptions.
What was Athimanoharam's working title?
The film was initially referred to by the working title #L366 before its official title Athimanoharam was revealed. It features Mohanlal as a character named T S Lovelajan.
