Kottayam Belt, the latest collaboration between Asif Ali and director Jis Joy, has officially gone on floors. The film was launched with a traditional pooja ceremony in Kochi on Wednesday, a day after the makers unveiled the title. With principal photography now underway, the project marks the sixth feature film that the actor and filmmaker have teamed up on.
The partnership between Asif and Jis has become one of Malayalam cinema’s most consistent creative associations over the past decade. Their journey began with Bicycle Thieves and continued through Sunday Holiday, Vijay Superum Pournamiyum, Innale Vare and last year’s investigative thriller Thalavan. Asif has also appeared in every film directed by Jis so far, including a cameo as himself in Mohan Kumar Fans, making Kottayam Belt another significant milestone in their long-standing collaboration.
A family thriller rooted in Kerala’s high ranges
Unlike their previous outings, Kottayam Belt is positioned as a family thriller set within a Christian community in the eastern high ranges of Kerala. The story centres on four brothers whose wealth, influence and unwavering resolve have made them powerful figures in their region. While the makers are keeping the finer plot details under wraps, the premise hints at a drama built around family ties, power struggles and local politics.
The screenplay has been written by Suresh Gopalan, with creative inputs from celebrated writing duo Bobby-Sanjay, whose body of work includes several acclaimed Malayalam films. Their involvement adds another layer of intrigue to a project that already brings together familiar collaborators.
The film boasts a sizeable ensemble led by Asif Ali alongside veterans and contemporary performers including Vijayaraghavan, Jagadish, Shine Tom Chacko, Vishnu Agasthya, Bobby Kurian, Ashokan, Prem Prakash, Farhaan Faasil, Shruti Ramachandran, Srikant Murali, Alencier, Jinu Joseph, Chembil Ashokan, Vineeth, Sandra Chandran, Renjith Shekhar, Eika Dev and Nithin Prasanna.
Shoot begins across Kerala
Production has officially commenced, with the makers planning an extensive schedule across Thodupuzha, Kochi, Kottayam and Thrissur. Behind the camera, the film brings together cinematographer Binendra Menon, editor Sooraj E S and composer Govind Vasantha, whose music has been a defining feature of several acclaimed Malayalam films in recent years.
Kottayam Belt is jointly backed by producers T R Shamsudheen and Venu Gopalakrishnan under the banners Dreamkatcher Productions and Kaalish Productions.
Asif, meanwhile, has a packed slate ahead. He will next headline the action entertainer Tiki Taka, reuniting with Rohith V S after Adventures of Omanakuttan and Iblis. The actor is also part of Khalid Rahman’s much-anticipated Mattancherry Mafia, headlined by Mammootty and featuring Naslen, besides Prajesh Sen’s Houdini: The King of Magic.
For Jis Joy, Kottayam Belt represents another opportunity to explore emotionally driven storytelling while stepping into thriller territory once again. Given the track record of the actor-director duo, expectations will be high as they return with a film that promises to blend family dynamics with suspense against a distinctly Kerala backdrop.
Also Read: Mattancherry Mafia: Mammootty-Khalid Rahman Reunion Adds Asif Ali, Naslen
