Rukmini Vasanth begins shoot for NP51 opposite Nivin Pauly
Synopsis
Rukmini Vasanth has begun shooting NP51, her first Malayalam film, opposite Nivin Pauly — produced by Martin Prakkat and directed by Nashid of 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey'. The announcement lands just weeks before her multi-starrer 'Toxic' hits cinemas, putting Rukmini at the centre of one of the busiest crossover slates in Indian film right now.
Key Takeaways
Rukmini Vasanth commenced shooting for NP51 , her first Malayalam film, on Tuesday .
The untitled drama stars Nivin Pauly and is produced by Martin Prakkat ('Charlie', 'Nayattu').
The film is directed by Nashid , co-writer of 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey' .
Rukmini is also awaiting the release of 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' , scheduled for 26 August alongside Yash , Nayanthara , and others.
Her upcoming slate also includes 'Dragon' opposite Jr NTR , directed by Prashanth Neel .
Actress Rukmini Vasanth has kicked off filming for her upcoming Mollywood project, tentatively titled NP51, sharing the news with fans via an Instagram post on Tuesday. The untitled drama pairs her opposite Malayalam star Nivin Pauly, marking her first outing in Malayalam cinema.
What We Know About NP51
The film is helmed by Nashid, one of the writers behind the acclaimed Malayalam comedy 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey'. It is backed by celebrated filmmaker-producer Martin Prakkat, best known for directing 'Charlie' and producing 'Nayattu' — two films widely regarded as modern Malayalam cinema benchmarks.
Rukmini posted a photograph of herself with the film's clapboard, expressing her excitement in her caption: 'And so it begins (white heart emoji) #NP51. There's something very special about finding yourself in a place you've admired from afar for so long. To now be a small part of it feels like a very special first for me. So grateful for this one.' Fellow actress Anupama Parameswaran responded to the post with enthusiasm, commenting 'Yayyyyy' alongside a fire emoji.
A Milestone Malayalam Debut
For Rukmini, NP51 represents a significant industry crossover. Having built her profile in Kannada and Tamil productions, stepping into Mollywood — and doing so opposite a star of Nivin Pauly's standing, under the production banner of Martin Prakkat — signals a deliberate career pivot. Notably, Prakkat's productions have a strong track record of nuanced, character-driven storytelling, which sets expectations for NP51's tone.
Rukmini's Packed Slate
The commencement of NP51's shoot comes even as Rukmini awaits the theatrical release of 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', the high-profile multi-starrer featuring Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Huma Qureshi. Directed by Geetu Mohandas and jointly produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, 'Toxic' has been pushed back multiple times and is now scheduled for a theatrical release on 26 August this year. The recently released trailer has generated considerable buzz, offering a glimpse into the dual role played by Yash — as both Raya and his son Ticket — set against a web of relationships and rivalries.
Beyond 'Toxic', Rukmini is also attached to 'Dragon', an action thriller alongside Jr NTR, directed by Prashanth Neel. With three high-profile projects across multiple film industries, Rukmini is shaping up as one of the busier crossover actresses of the current season.
What to Watch
Further details on NP51's cast, storyline, and release timeline are yet to be announced. Given Martin Prakkat's reputation for carefully crafted releases, the project is likely to take shape over the coming months before an official title and launch are revealed.
Point of View
'Toxic', and 'Dragon' simultaneously also raises a practical question about scheduling depth in an industry where multi-film commitments frequently cause delays. The excitement is justified, but the real test will be whether NP51 delivers the kind of character-driven material that Prakkat's banner is known for — or becomes another glossy crossover that underuses its talent.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is directing NP51?
NP51 is directed by Nashid, who was one of the writers on the acclaimed Malayalam film 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey'. This appears to be a significant directorial project for him under Martin Prakkat's production banner.
Is NP51 Rukmini Vasanth's Malayalam debut?
Yes, NP51 marks Rukmini Vasanth's first foray into Malayalam cinema. She described it as 'a very special first' in her Instagram caption, noting she had long admired the industry from afar.
When is 'Toxic' releasing and what is Rukmini's role?
'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' is scheduled for theatrical release on 26 August this year. Rukmini stars in the film alongside Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Huma Qureshi, directed by Geetu Mohandas.
What other films does Rukmini Vasanth have in the pipeline?
Apart from NP51 and 'Toxic', Rukmini is also part of 'Dragon', an action thriller starring Jr NTR and directed by Prashanth Neel. The three projects span Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu film industries.
