The Malayalam film industry is in mourning today following the passing of Advocate K. P. Gopakumar, the actor who starred as the hero in Thiranottam, the very first film to feature superstar Mohanlal. Gopakumar, who was 73, later left the film industry to focus on his career as a lawyer and social worker. Although the film never saw a proper theatrical release, it remains a landmark in cinematic history for introducing Mohanlal to the world. 

In modern box office news, the highly anticipated Drishyam 3 is already shattering pre-release records ahead of its April 2026 debut. The North American theatrical rights for the film, directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal, have reportedly been sold for an unprecedented ₹10 crore, signaling massive global demand. Meanwhile, the intense thriller Dheeram starring Indrajith Sukumaran is confirmed for an upcoming OTT debut on Amazon Prime Video. 

Additionally, veteran actor Bhavana spoke today in an exclusive interview about reaching the milestone of her 90th film, Anomie, and called for a safer, more progressive work environment in the industry for both men and women. Fans are also keeping a close eye on the Film Chamber’s new directives regarding prior approval for movie contracts, which may impact the release schedule for upcoming blockbusters like L2: Empuraan.