Chennai/Kochi – In a stellar show of versatility and commercial power, Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal is delivering a remarkable 2025 lineup. From high-stakes thrillers to heartwarming family dramas and pan-Indian spectacles, here’s the latest on his upcoming releases:
1. L2: Empuraan
-
Genre: Action / Franchise sequel
-
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
-
Ruled the box office upon release in March, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time and the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 with approximately ₹265.5 crore in revenue.
2. Thudarum
-
Genre: Action Thriller
-
Director: Tharun Moorthy
-
Released theatrically on 25 April 2025, it earned massive acclaim and box office success, making it the third highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 and the highest-grossing film in Kerala—with total revenues around ₹234.5 crore.
-
Currently streaming on JioHotstar (since 30 May 2025) across multiple dubbed languages. It is also scheduled for TV premiere on Asianet during Onam.
3. Hridayapoorvam
-
Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama
-
Director: Sathyan Anthikad
-
Features Mohanlal alongside Malavika Mohanan, Sangita Madhavan Nair, and Sangeeth Prathap. Filming took place from February to May 2025 across Kochi and Pune.
-
Released on 28 August 2025, garnering strong positive reviews—praised for its emotional narrative and Mohanlal’s endearing performance. By early September, the film crossed ₹50 crore globally.
-
The first look poster raised excitement, with Malavika Mohanan calling working with Mohanlal an “absolute honour.”
4. Vrushabha
-
Genre: Epic Action-Drama (Pan-Indian)
-
Director: Nanda Kishore
-
A multilingual project (Telugu, Malayalam) produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and others. Mohanlal headlines the cast.
-
Filming wrapped up in early 2025, with the first look released on his 65th birthday opening discussion online.
-
Scheduled for a grand Diwali release on 16 October 2025 across five languages.
5. Drishyam 3
-
Genre: Suspense Thriller (Franchise Finale)
-
Director: Jeethu Joseph
-
Officially confirmed in 2025, with filming slated to commence in October 2025.
-
Mohanlal will reprise his iconic role as Georgekutty for the concluding chapter of the franchise. Fans expect post-theatrical OTT release, likely on Prime Video, given the past trend of the series.
-
Meanwhile, concerns swirl around a Hindi version with Ajay Devgn reprising his role, potentially competing in the same market.
6. L3: Azrael
-
Genre: International Thriller / Spy Drama
-
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
-
A direct sequel to L2: Empuraan, exploring the backstory of Stephen Nedumpally (Rick Yune). Mohanlal returns as Khureshi Abr'aam. A steady continuation of the L franchise’s international stakes.
7. Kannappa (Mythological) – Production Challenge
-
Mohanlal joins a pan-India mythological project alongside Prabhas and Akshay Kumar. But production was hit by a major setback: the disappearance of a VFX hard drive critical to post-production. Legal action is underway to investigate the incident.
Overview Table
| L2: Empuraan | March 2025 (Released) | Record-breaking action sequel |
| Thudarum | April 25, 2025 (Released) | Acclaimed thriller; streaming on OTT |
| Hridayapoorvam | August 28, 2025 (Released) | Warm-hearted family drama |
| Vrushabha | October 16, 2025 (Planned) | Pan-Indian action epic |
| Drishyam 3 | Filming starts Oct 2025 | Final franchise installment; OTT expected post-release |
| L3: Azrael | Announced (Date TBD) | Spy thriller sequel with global stakes |
| Kannappa | June 27, 2025 (Delayed) | Mythological film; post-production facing hurdles |
Final Thoughts
2025 marks a triumphant year for Mohanlal—showcasing his range across hits like L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, endearing family storytelling in Hridayapoorvam, sweeping pan-Indian fantasies in Vrushabha, and high-stakes finales in Drishyam 3. With production delays yet to synchronize, audiences worldwide are poised for a grand display of cinematic star power.