Mammootty, the Malayalam National-award winning actor is all set to act in his first Kannada film to be directed by a FTII Pune graduate and software engineer Abhay Simha.

Abhay had earlier directed Gubbachchigalu, a critically appreciated children's film that was screened at 14 international film festivals.

K Manju, who earlier produced a hugely successful film like Rama Shaama Bhaama with Kamal Hassan, will produce the film.

"I got Mammootty's number from one of the cinematographers of the Malayalam film industry who was also my classmate at the Pune Film Institute. I contacted him and narrated him the story. He then asked me to email the script. After reading the script, Mammotty sir agreed to work in the film. I am extremely happy that I got a very good producer for this project," said Abhay.

Mammotty is presently acting in a Malayalam film titled Chattambi Nadu where he plays a Malayali staying in Karnataka and who can speak in fluent Kannada. The film unit has engaged Chandrashekhar Bandimata to help Mammotty speak Kannada fluently.

Though Mammootty has so far not given the exact dates for the Kannada film, it is said that he will act sometime early next year. The Pooja and Muhurath of the film will be held in Bangalore.

Abhay says that he is scouting for a new heroine to act opposite the Malayalam super star.

Image: Abhay Simha and Mammootty