Why Moothon will be the most-awaited film of 2018

Bringing together outstanding talents of two massive industries, Moothon is a Malayalam film set to break more than one convention. According to reports, Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap has co-written the film with actor-turned-director Geetu Mohandas. The teaser poster features actor Nivin Pauly in what looks like a role he has never played before.

Playing the romantic lead in popular hit films such as Premam and Bangalore Days, Pauly has proven to be Kerala's favourite star. Considering the kind of films Kashyap has attached himself to, it is possible that this one is dark, gritty or at least realistic. It'll be Pauly's first venture away from chocolate boy roles to something possibly serious.

The poster is a tiny peek into what his role might be. Sporting a rugged look, bald-headed with a fashionable beard, nose ring and a scar, he wears a menacing look in his eyes.

For Mohandas, Moothon (a slang for elder brother) will be her first directorial stint in Malayalam films. She won critical acclaim as debutante director for Hindi-language film Liar's Dice, which bagged two National Film Awards and was chosen for the Oscars in 2015. Before trying her hand at directing, she also won awards for her performances in Malayalam films such as Akale and Akasha Gopuram.

In 2014, Mohandas had announced a film called Insha' Allah; reports suggest that Moothon is the same film with a revised title. The film, about a boy in search of his long lost brother, will begin shooting this year, to be released in 2018. The story is set in Lakshadweep.

Kashyap, who began his career as a screenwriter for numerous films, is reportedly working on the Hindi bits to the script. His dialogue writing prowess comes across in films such as Satya, Black Friday and Udaan, as well as the films he directed. After Raman Raghav 2.0, we expect to see his work in Madly, an international anthology of six short films directed by Gael Garcia Bernal, Mia Wasikowsa and others.

Rajeev Ravi takes over as the cinematographer. Known for his collaborations with Kashyap and his own debut as director with Kammatipaadam, Ravi was the obvious choice (or as Geetu, his wife, quips on her Facebook post, 'he doesn't have a choice').

Add to it Sneha Khanwalkar's exceptional talent as a music director, and we have a big winner on our hands.

Aanan L. Rai, director of films like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhana, is also associated with the film, according to his tweet.