Kattalan: Pepe plays Antony Varghese in Paul George's pan-Indian thriller
Synopsis
'Kattalan' has revealed that Pepe will play a character named Antony Varghese — his own real name — in the film, a detail that adds a personal layer to the pan-Indian action thriller. With a star-studded cast, a last-minute music director change, and a worldwide release locked for 28 May 2026, the film from 'Marco' producer Shareef Muhammed is building serious pre-release buzz.
Key Takeaways
Antony Varghese (Pepe) plays a character named Antony Varghese in 'Kattalan' — his own real name, which he earned as a screen nickname from 'Angamaly Diaries' .
The film releases worldwide on 28 May 2026 , directed by Paul George .
Cast includes Sunil as Maari, Dushara Vijayan as Lucy, Kabir Duhan Singh as Eddy, Parth Tiwarii as Roby, and Raj Tirandasu as Maari 95.
Music director changed from Ajaneesh Loknath to Ravi Basrur during production.
Produced by Shareef Muhammed of Cube Entertainments , maker of blockbuster 'Marco' .
Actor Antony Varghese, widely known as Pepe, will be seen playing a character named Antony Varghese in the upcoming pan-Indian Malayalam action thriller 'Kattalan', directed by Paul George. Production house Cube Entertainments made the character reveal via its official Instagram handle, confirming the film's worldwide release on 28 May 2026.
The naming choice carries a layered significance: Antony Varghese is the actor's real name, and he earned the screen name 'Pepe' after portraying the character Vincent Pepe in the acclaimed 2017 film 'Angamaly Diaries'. His character in 'Kattalan' thus circles back to his own identity — a detail that has already caught the attention of fans online.
Full Character Roster Revealed
Alongside Pepe, the makers have unveiled the names of several other characters. Telugu actor Sunil — known for his roles in 'Pushpa: The Rise' (2021), 'Pushpa 2' (2024), and 'Jailer' (2023) — plays a character called Maari. Tamil actress Dushara Vijayan portrays Lucy, while Kabir Duhan Singh plays Eddy and Parth Tiwarii plays Roby.
Notably, Raj Tirandasu, who drew widespread praise for his performance in the pan-Indian blockbuster Pushpa, will appear as Maari 95. Lead actress Rajisha Vijayan and veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique also feature in pivotal roles, alongside Rapper Baby Jean.
Music Director Change and Production Updates
The film's music journey saw an unexpected turn. Cube Entertainments had initially announced Ajaneesh Loknath — the composer behind 'Kantara 2' — as the music director. However, the production house later confirmed that Ravi Basrur had joined the project, replacing Loknath. The change came as a surprise to many film followers.
Filming was wrapped up in February 2026. The film had earlier been slated for a 14 May 2026 release before the date was revised to 28 May 2026.
The Team Behind Kattalan
The screenplay has been written by Paul George, Joby Varghese, and Jero Jacob — a trio making their writing debut with this project. Cinematography is handled by Renadive, editing by Shameer Muhammed, costumes by Dhanya Balakrishnan, and action choreography by Sharief.
Producer Shareef Muhammed of Cube Entertainments previously helmed the blockbuster 'Marco', and 'Kattalan' is his next high-profile venture — described as a gritty, high-stakes action thriller built around themes of power, betrayal, and deadly missions.
Fan Tribute and Stunt Spotlight
The production house drew appreciation late last year when it publicly honoured the stuntmen on the film, releasing footage of a four-wheeler overturning during a stunt shoot and saluting the crew members whose courage made the sequence possible. The gesture reinforced the team's reputation for recognising behind-the-scenes contributions.
With its pan-Indian cast, high-octane premise, and a 28 May 2026 worldwide release, 'Kattalan' is shaping up as one of the more anticipated Malayalam releases of mid-2026.
Point of View
It signals that 'Kattalan' is leaning into Pepe's personal brand, which is still largely built on 'Angamaly Diaries'. The last-minute swap of Ajaneesh Loknath for Ravi Basrur is the more consequential production detail: Basrur's sonic identity, shaped by the KGF franchise, will define how pan-Indian audiences receive this film. For producer Shareef Muhammed, following up 'Marco' with another high-octane action film is a clear genre bet — the question is whether 'Kattalan' can break out of the Malayalam market the way 'Marco' did.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Pepe play in 'Kattalan'?
Pepe plays a character named Antony Varghese in 'Kattalan'. Antony Varghese is also the actor's real name — he became known as Pepe after playing Vincent Pepe in the 2017 Malayalam film 'Angamaly Diaries'.
When does 'Kattalan' release?
'Kattalan' is set for a worldwide release on 28 May 2026. The film was earlier slated for 14 May 2026 before the date was revised.
Who are the other actors in 'Kattalan'?
The film features Telugu actor Sunil, Tamil actress Dushara Vijayan, Kabir Duhan Singh, Parth Tiwarii, Raj Tirandasu, Rajisha Vijayan, Rapper Baby Jean, and veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique.
Why was the music director of 'Kattalan' changed?
Cube Entertainments initially announced Ajaneesh Loknath as the film's music director but later confirmed that Ravi Basrur had replaced him. No official reason for the change was disclosed by the production house.
Who is producing 'Kattalan'?
'Kattalan' is produced by Shareef Muhammed under the banner Cube Entertainments, the same production house behind the blockbuster Malayalam action film 'Marco'.
