'People close to Mohanlal turned fans against me'; Vinayan on his debut film 'Superstar'
ETimes | January 28, 2026 11:39 AM CST
From the start of his career Mollywood director Vinayan spoke openly and said what he felt. Because of this, many film organisations were not happy with him. He faced problems, fights, and even bans. Still, Vinayan did not stop. His film career itself shows how he stood strong and moved ahead without fear.
Now, Vinayan is talking about one old film that created a lot of noise during his early days. He is speaking about his debut film 'Superstar'.
Over the years, many people believed that this film made Mohanlal upset with him. The reason was that the film starred Madanlal , who looked very much like Mohanlal. Many felt this was why a Vinayan–Mohanlal film never happened later. But Vinayan says this belief is wrong.
From drama stage to the film Superstar Vinayan shared all these memories through a video on his YouTube channel. He said that before entering cinema, he ran a drama troupe. For nearly five years, he lost around five lakh rupees. Only one play became successful and got many stages. That play was Indrajaalam.
Vinayan said the reason for its success was Shashikumar from Kavalam. From a distance, Shashikumar looked very much like Mohanlal. Vinayan also brought another person, Sudarshan from Thiruvananthapuram, who looked like Mammootty, to act opposite him.
A film producer watched Indrajaalam at many places. After that, the producer asked Vinayan if a film could be made with Shashikumar. That question slowly turned into the film Superstar. Later, Shashikumar became known as Madanlal.
The story of Superstar in Vinayan’s words Vinayan explained the story of Superstar. He said, “It was the story of a barber who had the face of a superstar. Even though he looked like a superstar, his life was full of hunger. He loved cinema, and people around him took advantage of that. In the end, things go out of control and he becomes part of a bank robbery. Finally, the superstar himself comes to help him. The star gives him a blank cheque so that he can run an AC barber shop. If Mohanlal had acted in those two scenes, this film might have turned into something huge.”
He made it clear that the film was never meant to insult Mohanlal or target him in any way.
Fans, banners, and the “first bomb” Vinayan said the real trouble started after the film’s release. “When the film was released, Mohanlal fans put up banners in front of theatres, treating it as something against Mohanlal,” he said. Vinayan added, “People close to Mohanlal were the ones who turned the fans against me.”
However, Vinayan also shared an important point. When he later spoke directly to Mohanlal, he felt no anger from him. Vinayan said it did not feel like Mohanlal had any issue with the film at all.
Ending the story, Vinayan said, “When I entered the film field itself, I came by bursting a bomb.”
On the work front, the fans are eagerly waiting for an update from Vinayan's next film ' Atbhutha Dweepu 2 '.
Now, Vinayan is talking about one old film that created a lot of noise during his early days. He is speaking about his debut film 'Superstar'.
Over the years, many people believed that this film made Mohanlal upset with him. The reason was that the film starred Madanlal , who looked very much like Mohanlal. Many felt this was why a Vinayan–Mohanlal film never happened later. But Vinayan says this belief is wrong.
From drama stage to the film Superstar Vinayan shared all these memories through a video on his YouTube channel. He said that before entering cinema, he ran a drama troupe. For nearly five years, he lost around five lakh rupees. Only one play became successful and got many stages. That play was Indrajaalam.
Vinayan said the reason for its success was Shashikumar from Kavalam. From a distance, Shashikumar looked very much like Mohanlal. Vinayan also brought another person, Sudarshan from Thiruvananthapuram, who looked like Mammootty, to act opposite him.
A film producer watched Indrajaalam at many places. After that, the producer asked Vinayan if a film could be made with Shashikumar. That question slowly turned into the film Superstar. Later, Shashikumar became known as Madanlal.
The story of Superstar in Vinayan’s words Vinayan explained the story of Superstar. He said, “It was the story of a barber who had the face of a superstar. Even though he looked like a superstar, his life was full of hunger. He loved cinema, and people around him took advantage of that. In the end, things go out of control and he becomes part of a bank robbery. Finally, the superstar himself comes to help him. The star gives him a blank cheque so that he can run an AC barber shop. If Mohanlal had acted in those two scenes, this film might have turned into something huge.”
He made it clear that the film was never meant to insult Mohanlal or target him in any way.
Fans, banners, and the “first bomb” Vinayan said the real trouble started after the film’s release. “When the film was released, Mohanlal fans put up banners in front of theatres, treating it as something against Mohanlal,” he said. Vinayan added, “People close to Mohanlal were the ones who turned the fans against me.”
However, Vinayan also shared an important point. When he later spoke directly to Mohanlal, he felt no anger from him. Vinayan said it did not feel like Mohanlal had any issue with the film at all.
Ending the story, Vinayan said, “When I entered the film field itself, I came by bursting a bomb.”
On the work front, the fans are eagerly waiting for an update from Vinayan's next film ' Atbhutha Dweepu 2 '.
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