Actor Antony Varghese Pepe has penned a heartfelt message to his fans and audiences just hours before his upcoming film 'Kattalan' was set to open in theatres, appealing for 'prayers, blessings and support more than ever.' The emotional note, shared on his Instagram page on 28 May, underscores how personally invested the actor is in this project — one he describes as a labour of love built on friendship and trust.

What Antony Varghese Said

In his statement, the actor wrote: 'It's hard to put into words what 'Kattalan' means to me. This journey has been full of ups and downs but leaving the bad days behind, I'm stepping into tomorrow with high expectations and a hopeful heart.' He also highlighted the film's personal significance, saying, 'This movie is incredibly special because it's made by family. The writers and director are my close friends, and our producer Shereef Muhammed, is truly like a brother to me. We planned to make a movie together a long time ago and it's finally happening.'

Invoking his long-standing bond with audiences, Varghese added: 'Ever since Angamaly Diaries you all have embraced me as the boy next door. I am still that same guy, and I always want to be. As Kattalan hits theaters tomorrow, I need your prayers blessings and support more than ever. Please do watch it in theaters and stand by me just like you always have!'

A Character Named After Himself

Notably, in Kattalan — directed by Paul George — Antony Varghese plays a character named Antony Varghese, his own real name. The actor's widely recognised nickname 'Pepe' stems from his breakout role as Vincent Pepe in Angamaly Diaries. The decision to cast him under his real name in this film adds a layer of meta-identity to the narrative.

Cast and Key Collaborators

The film features an ensemble that spans multiple film industries. Rajisha Vijayan plays the female lead, while Telugu actor Sunil — known for his work in Pushpa: The Rise (2021), Pushpa 2 (2024), and Jailer (2023) — plays a character called Maari. Tamil actress Dushara Vijayan essays a character named Lucy. Kabir Duhan Singh plays Eddy, Parth Tiwarii plays Roby, and Raj Tirandasu, who impressed audiences in the pan-Indian blockbuster Pushpa, plays Maari 95. Veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique also appear in pivotal roles, alongside Rapper Baby Jean.

The story has been penned by the trio of Paul George, Joby Varghese, and Jero Jacob, marking their writing debut. Music is composed by Ravi Basrur, whose onboarding came as a surprise after the production had earlier announced Ajaneesh Loknath — the composer behind Kantara 2 — for the project. Cinematography is handled by Renadive, editing by Shameer Muhammed, and costumes by Dhanya Balakrishnan.

Production Background

The film is produced by Shereef Muhammed of Cubes Entertainments, the production house behind the blockbuster Marco. Shooting was wrapped in February 2025, though the release date had shifted from an earlier announced 14 May to its eventual theatrical opening. The production house drew appreciation late last year when it publicly honoured the stuntmen on the unit, releasing footage of a four-wheeler stunt sequence and paying tribute to the crew members whose courage made such scenes possible.

What to Expect

Described as a high-octane pan-Indian action thriller, Kattalan is said to blend raw storytelling with a gritty, high-stakes narrative centred on themes of power, betrayal, and deadly missions. With a producer who has already delivered a commercial blockbuster and a cast that draws from Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil cinema, the film carries considerable expectations. Whether the theatrical response matches the anticipation will be closely watched by the industry.