Four Malayalam films to release this Onam

The big names in Malayalam cinema make sure that one of their major releases hits the screen during the Onam season.

After the Ramzan fasting period, the cinema halls are certainly going to be crowded during these days.

The four movies gearing up for release now are Sandhya Mohan's Mr. Marumakan, Lijin Jose's Friday, Johny Antony's Thappana, and Joshiy's Run Baby Run.

Along with Mohanlal, Mammootty and Dileep, the current sensation, Fahadh Fazil, also has a release this Onam. Here's a closer look at the films.

Mr.Marumakan

Director: Sandhya Mohan

Cast: Dileep, Sanoosha, K Bhagyaraj, Khushboo, Sheela

Release date: August 18

Scenarists Siby K Thomas and Udayakrishna proved to be Dileep's lucky mascots early this year, as the trio came up with the blockbuster Mayamohini.

Now the team is coming back with Mr.Marumakan, directed by Sandhya Mohan. They are expecting the cash registers to ring big time with this laugh riot.

Ashok Raj aka Ashok Chakravarthy (Dileep), is a lawyer whose interest is in giving a fresh lease of life to a defunct drama troupe.

His family is facing a severe cash crunch and to add to his woes, a bank officer, Balasubramaniam (Bhagyaraj), appears to start legal proceedings.

Sanoosha, who shot to fame as a child artiste in Kazhcha, plays the heroine.

The shooting of the film has been delayed for a number of reasons, one of them being actor Jagathy Sreekumar's unfortunate accident. Baburaj is doing the role that was originally Jagathy's.

Mr. Marumakan has been produced by Varnachithra Big Screen. The cinematographer is P Sukumar and the music director is Suresh Peters.

Director: Lijin Jose

Cast: Fahadh Fazil, Nedumudi Venu, Manu, Ann Augustine

Release date: August 18

Debutant director Lijin Jose's Friday has been produced by Sandra Thomas and Thomas Joseph Pattathanam. Fahadh Fazil plays an important role in the film, which happens on a single day, 11/11/11 at Alappuzha.

The grapevine has it that the story is narrated in a multi- linear pattern. Fahadh Fazil's presence has given the movie a "new generation" tag.

Friday has been scripted by Najeem Koya. Jomon Thomas is the cinematographer and Roby Abraham composes the music.

Director: Johny Antony

Cast: Mammootty, Charmy

Release date: August 20

Director Johny Antony's last release Masters didn't make much of an impact at the box office.

In Thappana, he teams up with Mammootty, who plays a small-time thief named Samson.

On his way out of jail, Samson meets Mallika (Charmy) and while travelling together, he falls for her. She is unaware about this. Murali Gopi plays Kannu Kuttan, a cattle-trader.

Thappana is produced by Milan Jaleel under the banner of Galaxy Films.

M Sindhuraj is the scenarist and Rajarathnam is the cinematographer. The music director is Vidyasagar.

Director: Joshiy

Cast: Mohanlal, Amala Paul

Release date: August 29

Director Joshiy is making a thriller scripted by Sachi, with Mohanlal and Amala Paul in the lead.

This is Sachi's first attempt as an independent scriptwriter, after he and Sethu parted ways.

In Run Baby Run, Venu (Mohanlal) is a high profile news cameraman, wooed by the best in the business. He is a Film Institute alumnus, who prefers to shoot original visuals for news channels.

Now he has shifted base to Kochi, where Renuka (Amala Paul) is a powerful media person working for a prominent channel.

Run Baby Run has been produced under the banner of Galaxy Films. R D Rajasekhar wields the camera and the music has been composed by Ratheesh Vegha.