Mammootty’s ‘Samrajyam’ set for 4K comeback; 35 years later, the gangster classic returns

Malayalam cinema is all set to relive one of its grandest gangster sagas. 'Samrajyam' (1990), directed by Jomon and starring megastar Mammootty, is returning to theaters after 35 years in a fully remastered 4K Dolby Atmos format.The producers confirmed via a Facebook handle that the restored version is scheduled to hit theaters in September 2025. Sharing a re-release poster for 'Samrajyam,' the production house wrote, "He conquered once; he’ll conquer again. This September! Alexander returns.Megastar Mammooka in #Samrajyam 4K DOLBY ATMOS, releasing this September…!!"

Beyond Kerala, a Pan-south hit

While 'Samrajyam' enjoyed blockbuster status in Kerala, the film had an extraordinary run in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and most notably Andhra Pradesh.

Scriptwriter Shibu Chakravarthy revealed in an interview with OTT Play that 'Samrajyam' ran for more days in Andhra than in Kerala, giving Mammootty superstar status in Telugu cinema. “After Samrajyam’s release, Mammukka was on par with Telugu superstars,” he shared. Producers would fly him to Hyderabad for discussions, marking the film’s legacy as a true crossover hit.

The inspirations behind the story

Shibu Chakravarthy also opened up about the creative process behind the cult film’s screenplay.

He drew from Jomon’s original vision but layered it with inspiration from the Mahabharata. It was inspired particularly by the story of Kunti and Karna. He also acknowledged Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 'Parinda' (1989) as a key influence. The writer took much effort in adapting its gritty underworld tone into a Malayalam setting.For fans, this re-release is more than just a movie—it’s a movie that marked the greatest ever comeback of Mammootty.On the other hand, it seems that the year 2025 is quite underwhelming for the superstar, as the majority of his films failed to hit the mark. Mammootty's previous outing was the game thriller movie 'Bazooka,' which did not impress the audiences, despite high expectations.

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