Mohanlal has never hidden his affection for Kireedam, the 1989 drama that shaped his career and left a mark on Malayalam cinema. Now, more than three decades later, the film is back in the spotlight with a world premiere of its 4K restoration at the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa. The actor shared his excitement on social media, calling the moment an honour and a deeply emotional milestone.

A Legendary Film Finds New Light

He revealed that the film was restored from a 35mm release print preserved by the National Film Archive of India. The original camera negative had deteriorated over time, which makes the survival of this print all the more important. Mohanlal thanked the NFDC and NFAI team and highlighted how gratifying it is to see the film revived under the National Film Heritage Mission. He also noted that cinematographer S Kumar personally supervised the final grading, ensuring the restored version stays true to the film’s visual soul.

For fans who grew up watching Kireedam on VHS tapes and scratchy television reruns, the idea of seeing its emotional churn in crisp 4K is nothing short of a full circle moment.

Delighted to share the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Kireedam (1989), presented as part of the Special Screenings at the 56th IFFI, Goa. The film has been meticulously restored by NFDC – National Film Archive of India from a 35mm release print, thankfully preserved by…

— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) November 26, 2025

A Story That Has Lost None of Its Power

Directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A K Lohithadas, Kireedam is remembered not for spectacle but for its simple and devastating human core. Mohanlal plays Sethumadhavan, a young man who dreams of joining the police force, only to watch his life twist into tragedy after one fateful confrontation. His performance is often cited as one of the finest in Malayalam cinema, a controlled portrayal of a man crushed by fate and circumstance. The role earned him a Special Jury Mention at the National Film Awards and remains a reference point for actors studying restrained emotional craft.

The film’s influence grew with time. It inspired remakes in several languages and continues to be discussed in conversations about the best Malayalam films ever made. Critics still praise its grounded writing and its heartbreaking final stretch, both of which shaped a generation of filmmakers who admired its honesty. The restoration now gives new audiences a chance to experience the film the way it was meant to be seen on the big screen.

Also Read: 36 Years of Kireedam: Why This Mohanlal Film Still Matters

A Festival Spotlight on India’s Cinematic Past

The return of Kireedam is part of the Indian Panorama Special Package at IFFI 2025, which features eighteen restored classics. These restorations cut across Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Telugu cinema and honour the legacy of some of the country’s greatest storytellers. This year’s programme carries even deeper meaning as it celebrates one hundred and twenty five years of V Shantaram and marks centenary tributes to legendary names such as Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, Bhupen Hazarika, P Bhanumati, Salil Choudhury, and K Vaikunt.

Film enthusiasts attending the festival will notice the growing emphasis on film preservation in India. The restored lineup at IFFI reflects the larger push by the National Film Heritage Mission to protect and revive classics that risk being lost to time. With each restoration, the gap between past and present narrows. Films once limited to aging prints and memories now have a chance to thrive before a new generation.

In this context, Kireedam stands as both a tribute and a reminder. It celebrates the power of performance-driven storytelling and underlines why preserving cinema matters. As Mohanlal said, watching the classic return to the screen is an honour. For audiences, it is a gift.

Also Read: Fan Calls Rashmika Mandanna ‘Bhabhi’; This Is How She Reacts

Lokesh Kanagaraj is back in prep mode. The director has slipped straight into groundwork for his seventh film, currently referred to as LK7. A team member posted a photo from an early meet, confirming that the director has restarted the cycle that usually precedes one of his big canvas projects. The curiosity around LK7 is understandable. Every move from Lokesh tends to trigger an online theory storm and this one is no exception.

Fans initially assumed LK7 would simply be Kaithi 2. The sequel has finally rolled into pre-production after years of anticipation, which only strengthens the possibility. At the same time, there is steady chatter from Telugu industry trackers that Lokesh has been courted for a major Telugu language project. If that becomes official, it would mark his first direct entry into Tollywood. For now the director has maintained radio silence, leaving both conversations wide open.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Santhosh Krishnan (@santhosh.moni)

Lokesh splits focus as DC preps continue

Even as the talk around LK7 grows louder, Lokesh’s acting debut in DC is inching forward. Directed by Arun Matheswaran, the film casts him as Devadas with Wamiqa Gabbi as Chandra. Sun Pictures is producing the project following their collaboration on Coolie. Prep work for DC has been steady, with Lokesh attending readings and workshops as he balances the shift from behind the camera to in front of it.

He was earlier attached to direct Rajinikanth in Thalaivar 173 for Raaj Kamal Films International but stepped away after reported creative differences. The move created room for him to arrange his next phase which now includes LK7, Kaithi 2 and DC.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sun Pictures (@sunpictures)

Coolie worked commercially but the response was far from unanimous

Coolie arrived on August 14 with the weight of expectation that naturally comes with a Rajinikanth headliner and a Lokesh Kanagaraj credit. The cast featured Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Rachita Ram, with Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde making short appearances. Audience reaction, however, was divided. Some fans enjoyed the scale and swagger but a sizeable section criticised the uneven screenplay and the lack of the trademark precision seen in Kaithi and Vikram. Critics echoed the same concerns. Despite this, strong festival weekend numbers and sustained turnout eventually pushed the film into commercial success territory.

With multiple projects now moving in parallel and a conscious effort to recalibrate after Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj seems set for a more controlled and deliberate next chapter.

Also Read: South Indian Legends Mourn Dharmendra

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including to build an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capabilities called Taiwan Dome.