Thudarum Director Tharun Moorthy Reveals Why Jyotika Turned Down Mohanlal’s Film

Mohanlal’s upcoming Malayalam film Thudarum has generated immense buzz, especially with the reunion of the legendary on-screen pair Mohanlal and Shobana. However, director Tharun Moorthy recently revealed that before casting Shobana, the team had initially approached Jyotika for the role—but she had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Jyotika Was the First Choice for Thudarum

In an interview with Red FM, Tharun Moorthy shared that while Shobana was always their first choice, they were unsure how to contact her. As a result, they explored alternative casting options, considering Jyotika for the role of Lalitha, Mohanlal’s on-screen partner.

> “Shobana was always on our mind for Lalitha. But we weren’t sure how to get in touch with her. So we began exploring alternatives. We were looking for someone who hadn’t acted with Mohanlal before. That’s when we thought of Jyotika,” Moorthy explained.

Why Jyotika Turned Down the Role

Moorthy revealed that he personally narrated the script to Jyotika, and she was very excited about the project. However, she had already committed to a world tour with her husband, actor Suriya, which clashed with Thudarum’s shooting schedule.

> “Jyotika and Suriya were very excited when I narrated the story, but her dates clashed with a planned family world tour,” Moorthy said.

Shobana’s Grand Comeback

After Jyotika declined the role, the team reached out to Shobana, and things quickly fell into place. Moorthy shared that Shobana was waiting for the right opportunity to make a comeback to Malayalam cinema.

> “That question kept lingering in my mind: Wouldn’t Mohanlal and Shobana be the combination that Malayali viewers want to watch? We decided to contact Shobana, and she was also interested in coming back to movies. She said if the script and space were right and if I made her feel comfortable, then she would do the film,” Moorthy added.

Thudarum: A Highly Anticipated Film

Thudarum is an action-comedy drama, starring Mohanlal and Shobana in lead roles, alongside Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, Irshad Ali, and Aarsha Chandini Baiju in supporting roles.

The film’s storyline is written by K.R. Sunil, with music composed by Jakes Bejoy. It is jointly produced by Mohanlal’s production house, Aashirvad Cinemas, and Rejaputhra Release.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

The revelation that Jyotika was initially considered for Thudarum has sparked discussions among fans. While many are thrilled to see Mohanlal and Shobana reunite, others wonder how Jyotika’s presence might have changed the film’s dynamic.

Social media reactions include:

• “Jyotika and Mohanlal would have been an interesting pairing, but Shobana is legendary!”
• “Shobana and Mohanlal’s chemistry is unmatched. This film is going to be special.”
• “Would love to see Jyotika in more Malayalam films soon!”

Final Thoughts

While Jyotika’s scheduling conflicts prevented her from joining Thudarum, her excitement for the project speaks volumes about its strong script and compelling characters. With Shobana stepping into the role, fans can expect a powerful on-screen reunion that will undoubtedly make Thudarum a must-watch Malayalam film.

The film is set to release in theaters on April 25, 2025, and anticipation is at an all-time high.