EXPLAINED: Is Mohanlal collaborating with 'Vettaiyan' director and 'Andha Dhun' writer for Saravana Bhavan's founder 'Dosa King' biopic?

If you had to define Mollywood's 2025 with the name of one superstar, that would undoubtedly be Mohanlal. The veteran bounced back like a phoenix, after suffering a lull in the last few years at the box office. In fact, he hadn't had a solid blockbuster after Lucifer till the end of 2024. The pandemic phase didn't help, as Drishyam 2 had to release directly on OTT. There is no denying the fact that it would be have been another money spinner, just like Drishyam. Nevertheless, 2020-24 was a forgettable phase for Mohanlal but all that is now part of the past.

In 2025, Mohanlal has had three releases, all of which have become successes at the box office. The first two, Empuraan and Thudarum, set box office records in different metrics, proving that the 65-year-old's unmatchable stardom is still alive and kicking. His latest release, Hridayapoorvam, hasn't been a runaway hit like the other two films but considering its genre and the Lokah wave on the other side, it has performed admirably. With Hridayapoorvam also crossing Rs.50 crores globally, it is Mohanlal's third successive film to achieve this milestone - all in 2025 - and no actor has had such a hat-trick before. Naturally, anticipation is rife around the superstar's upcoming films.

Just before the release of Hridayapoorvam, Mohanlal flew to USA for a vacation and has reportedly just returned back home. According to sources, there is a huge development regarding one of his upcoming projects. TJ Gnanavel, who directed Suriya's Jai Bhim and Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan, has narrated a script to Mohanlal which the superstar has apparently liked. It is said to be based on the life of Saravana Bhavan founder. The discussions are still in the early stages and it is hard to say when and whether the project will take off or not. As of now, there are positive signs on it.

Pitchai Rajagopal, founder of Saravana Bhavan restaurant chains, was not only been a trendsetter in business but also a murder convict in the latter stages of his life. Popularly known as 'Dosa King', Rajagopal passed away in 2019. The script idea pitched by Gnanavel, also has Hemanth Rao as co-writer in this project. For the unversed, Rao was co-writter of the Bollywood thriller Andha Dhun and more importantly, known for his directorial venture Sapta Sagaradaache Ello (Side A and B).

That Gnanavel is intending to make this biopic is a confirmed development but whether Mohanlal will agree to the project is what remains to be seen.