Prolong it, I can’t think about it now, said Mammootty and finally film with Mohanlal grabs national award

Paradesi directed by P T Kunju Muhammed with Mohanlal in the lead role released in 2007. The film bagged many accolades including the state award for best actor and national award for best make-up artiste. The film tells the story of those who became unfortunates in their homeland when India and Pakistan set boundaries for administrative convenience. Mohanlal as Valiyakaththu Moosa made the role so memorable that no one could replace him. Mohanlal sat patiently for five hours for the makeup of the character.

However, the director has now revealed that the role was first planned for Mammootty. The actor agreed to do the role even without hearing the script but later rejected it saying he didn’t like it, Kunju Muhammed said in an interview to a channel.

His words
‘Soon after the script was completed, the subject came ‘who will act’. I was close with Mammootty when we both were in Kairali. So I went to Palakkad and spoke to him. Without looking at the script, he happily agreed to do the film. Got a producer also but he was not that rich. Met Mammootty again two or three times along with the producer. Spoke to the producer in the typical style of Mammootty. The actor asked us to come again next week. I told the producer it is wise to give a small advance to him.

The director said, “I got ready to go to Guruvayur Guest House to pay an advance. I immediately got a call from the actor asking me to extend the project. I can't think of doing the film now, he said. May be due to his busy schedule. I asked him how long it should be postponed and he replied saying "I will tell you that." I did not like it. I banged the phone saying that I will stop it. The actor honestly said his point.”