Raj Tirandasu joins Antony Varghese's 'Kattalan' as Maari 95, character revealed
Synopsis
Raj Tirandasu, who left an impression in 'Pushpa', is now part of director Paul George's ambitious pan-Indian action thriller 'Kattalan' alongside Antony Varghese. The character reveal of Maari 95 signals the filmmakers' methodical rollout strategy as the May 2026 release date approaches — a calculated build-up for what industry insiders are calling one of Malayalam cinema's biggest action bets this year.
Key Takeaways
Raj Tirandasu plays character Maari 95 in 'Kattalan' , as revealed by Cube Entertainments on 8 May .
The film stars Antony Varghese in the lead, with Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead and an ensemble including Sunil , Kabir Duhan Singh , and Parth Tiwari .
Director Paul George also penned the story alongside Joby Varghese and Jero Jacob , marking their writing debut.
Music composer Ravi Basrur replaced Ajaneesh Loknath as the film's composer.
Filming completed in February 2026 ; worldwide release slated for May 2026 .
The makers of director Paul George's pan-Indian Malayalam action thriller 'Kattalan', headlined by actor Antony Varghese, have unveiled the character played by Raj Tirandasu, the actor who won acclaim for his role in Allu Arjun's blockbuster 'Pushpa' franchise. Tirandasu plays Maari 95 in the film, as confirmed by production house Cube Entertainments through a character reveal posted on social media on 8 May.
About the film and cast
'Kattalan' is a high-octane pan-Indian project backed by producer Shareef Muhammed of Cube Entertainments, the banner behind the blockbuster 'Marco'. The ensemble cast includes Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead, alongside Sunil (known for 'Pushpa: The Rise' and 'Pushpa 2'), Kabir Duhan Singh, Parth Tiwari, Anson Paul, Shon Joy, and veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique. Rapper Baby Jean also features in the film.
Music and production updates
The production house recently welcomed acclaimed music director Ravi Basrur to compose the score, replacing earlier announced composer Ajaneesh Loknath (known for 'Kantara 2'). The shift marked a significant change in the film's creative team. Filming wrapped in February 2026, with the production house slated to release the film worldwide in May 2026.
Creative team and storytelling approach
The screenplay has been penned by Paul George, Joby Varghese, and Jero Jacob, marking the dynamic trio's writing debut. According to sources, the writers have blended raw storytelling with cinematic ambition to craft a gritty narrative centred on power, betrayal, and high-stakes missions. Cinematography is by Renadive, with editing by Shameer Muhammed, choreography by Sharief, and costumes designed by Dhanya Balakrishnan.
Production milestones and industry recognition
The production house garnered widespread appreciation late last year when it paid tribute to the stunt team that worked on the film, releasing footage of a four-wheeler stunt sequence and honouring the courage of professional stuntmen. The gesture underscored the film's commitment to showcasing high-risk action sequences responsibly.
Anticipation and release timeline
The film has generated substantial interest among audiences and industry observers. With a global release scheduled for May 2026, 'Kattalan' positions itself as a major pan-Indian action offering, banking on a multilingual appeal and a cast spanning Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and English-language cinema.
Point of View
Signalling an attempt to straddle mass appeal and emerging talent. Director Paul George's writing debut adds intrigue, though the film's success will hinge on whether the gritty narrative delivers beyond the action spectacle. The music director swap mid-production is a yellow flag worth monitoring — such changes often signal creative friction or scheduling pressure.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Maari 95 in 'Kattalan'?
Actor Raj Tirandasu, known for his role in Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa' franchise, plays the character Maari 95 in 'Kattalan'. The character reveal was announced by production house Cube Entertainments on 8 May.
When will 'Kattalan' release?
'Kattalan' is scheduled for a worldwide release in May 2026. Filming was completed in February 2026, with post-production currently underway.
Who is directing 'Kattalan'?
Paul George is directing 'Kattalan'. He also co-wrote the story alongside Joby Varghese and Jero Jacob, marking their collective writing debut.
Who are the lead actors in 'Kattalan'?
Antony Varghese plays the male lead, with Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead. The ensemble cast includes Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh, Parth Tiwari, Anson Paul, Shon Joy, and veteran Malayalam actors Jagadeesh and Siddique.
Why was the music composer changed from Ajaneesh Loknath to Ravi Basrur?
The production house replaced Ajaneesh Loknath with Ravi Basrur as the film's music composer. No official reason has been disclosed, though such changes typically occur due to scheduling or creative considerations.
