Jayasurya's 'Operation Tral' begins shoot in Kochi, inspired by real J&K encounter
Synopsis
'Operation Tral' — Jayasurya's next big-screen bet — has gone on floors in Kochi with a story reportedly rooted in a real encounter between Indian forces and terrorists in Tral, J&K. With shoots planned across seven locations and director Ratheesh Vega doubling as composer, this is one of Malayalam cinema's most ambitious crossover attempts in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Jayasurya 's pan-Indian thriller 'Operation Tral' officially began production in Kochi on 19 May with a pooja ceremony at Crowne Plaza Kochi .
The film is reportedly inspired by a real encounter between Indian armed forces and terrorists in Tral, Jammu & Kashmir .
Director Ratheesh Vega is also composing the film's music and background score.
The ensemble cast includes Rithika Singh , Amyra Dastur , Anson Paul , Siddique , Saikumar , and Murali Sharma , among others.
Shooting spans seven locations — Kerala, Coimbatore, New Delhi, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, and Ladakh.
The film is produced by Joby George Thadathil under Goodwill Entertainments .
Malayalam actor Jayasurya's much-anticipated pan-Indian action thriller 'Operation Tral', directed by Ratheesh Vega, officially went on floors in Kochi on 19 May with a traditional pooja ceremony at Crowne Plaza Kochi. According to sources close to the production, the film draws inspiration from a real-life encounter between Indian armed forces and terrorists in Tral, Jammu & Kashmir.
The Launch Ceremony
Jain George Thadathil performed the switch-on ceremony, while noted screenwriter Bobby delivered the first clap. Producer Joby George Thadathil, director Ratheesh Vega, and lead actor Jayasurya lit the ceremonial lamp alongside other cast and crew members. Several prominent personalities from the Malayalam film industry were also in attendance.
Cast and Crew
The film features a substantial ensemble, with Rithika Singh, Amyra Dastur, Anson Paul, Nandalal Krishnamurthy, Sirajudheen, Vinay Rai, Siddique, Saikumar, and Murali Sharma in pivotal roles. Behind the camera, cinematography is handled by Najose, editing by Shafeeque V.B., and art direction by Suneesh Sodharan. In an unusual creative choice, director Ratheesh Vega is also composing the film's music and background score. Sunimol Joby joins as co-producer under the banner of Goodwill Entertainments.
Story and Scale
According to unit sources, 'Operation Tral' is set against the backdrop of national intelligence operations and blends large-scale action sequences with an emotionally charged patriotic narrative. The film reportedly aims to explore the unseen world of intelligence agencies and the sacrifices made in the line of duty — territory that has proven commercially potent for Hindi cinema but remains relatively underexplored in Malayalam productions targeting a pan-Indian release.
Notably, the first look poster unveiled ahead of the launch generated considerable attention for its intense tone, signalling the makers' intent to position the film as a mainstream action spectacle.
Shooting Locations
Production is scheduled across multiple locations, including Kerala, Coimbatore, New Delhi, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, and Ladakh — an ambitious geographical spread that underscores the film's pan-Indian ambitions. Costume design is jointly managed by Sameera Saneesh and Saritha Jayasurya, with makeup by Ronex Xavier.
With its real-event inspiration, star-studded cast, and multi-state shoot, 'Operation Tral' is shaping up as one of the more ambitious Malayalam productions of the year, and its progress will be closely watched by industry observers tracking the language's crossover potential.
Point of View
But a pan-Indian release anchored in a J&K counter-terror backdrop is a different commercial proposition. The real question is whether the production can match its ambition: a seven-location shoot, a director-composer hybrid, and a cast spanning multiple film industries are all high-wire acts that will test Goodwill Entertainments' execution capacity. If it lands, it could open a new template for Malayalam crossover cinema; if it stumbles, the scale itself becomes the liability.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Operation Tral' about?
'Operation Tral' is a pan-Indian action thriller directed by Ratheesh Vega and starring Jayasurya. According to sources close to the production, the film is inspired by a real encounter between Indian armed forces and terrorists in Tral, Jammu & Kashmir, and explores the world of national intelligence operations.
Where has 'Operation Tral' begun shooting?
The film officially commenced production in Kochi on 19 May with a pooja ceremony held at Crowne Plaza Kochi. The shoot is planned across multiple locations including Kerala, Coimbatore, New Delhi, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, and Ladakh.
Who is in the cast of 'Operation Tral'?
The film stars Jayasurya in the lead role, supported by Rithika Singh, Amyra Dastur, Anson Paul, Nandalal Krishnamurthy, Sirajudheen, Vinay Rai, Siddique, Saikumar, and Murali Sharma in pivotal roles.
Who is producing 'Operation Tral'?
The film is produced by Joby George Thadathil under the banner of Goodwill Entertainments, with Sunimol Joby serving as co-producer.
What makes 'Operation Tral' unusual from a production standpoint?
Director Ratheesh Vega is also composing the film's music and background score — an uncommon dual role. The production also involves a large ensemble cast drawn from multiple Indian film industries and a shoot spanning seven distinct locations across India.
