Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham

Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham was originally planned by Priyadarshan with screenwriter T. Damodaran in 1996 with Mohanlal in the title role. The idea for the film originated and was discussed in length at the sets of Mohanlal-starring Kaalapani (1996) in Kozhikode.[7] But due to budget constraints, it did not progress, "back then, our industry [Malayalam cinema] size was very limited and most producers weren't ready to invest hugely in such big ventures", said Priyadarshan.[8] But the project was still in their mind.[7] During 2008 – 2009, director Jayaraj planned a film on Kunjali Marakkar with Mohanlal in the title role and T. P. Rajeevan was hired to write the screenplay. After extensive research and discussions it was ready to begin production and the completed screenplay was handed over to Mohanlal, who did not show interest and the project did not materialize. That screenplay was later bought by August Cinema from Rajeevan for making a separate project with different cast and crew.[9]

In 2013, Priyadarshan revealed that in addition to a Hindi film, he is working on a Malayalam period film about Kunjali Marakkar with Mohanlal in the title role for which the research work was undergoing.[10][11] On 1 November 2017, Priyadarshan confirmed to The Times of India that he would start the project after completing a Hindi film first and the ongoing research would require at least 10 more months to complete. They had to look deeper into history as what was gathered until then was information very much available to the public. It was undecided then on which Kunjali Marakkar would Mohanlal portray out of the four Marakkars. Priyadarshan said the story he would come up would be a mix of fact and fiction, as the information about many of the incidents happened during that era are unavailable.[12] Priyadarshan zeroed in on Kunjali Marakkar IV as the protagonist as he "has the most interesting story".[13] The story spans from 1505 to 1601 period.[14]

Title of the film was officially announced at a press conference held at Kochi on 28 April 2018 by Priyadarshan, Mohanlal, producer Antony Perumbavoor and co-producers Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Roy C. J.[15] Budget was revealed to be ₹100 crore, making it the most-expensive film made in Malayalam cinema—produced under the company Aashirvad Cinemas, with Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group as co-producers.[16] It was said to begin production on 1 November 2018 on the day of Kerala Piravi.[17]

Priyadarshan co-wrote the screenplay with Ani Sasi, incorporating many inputs from late T. Damodaran too from their early discussions. The first draft was completed in April 2018, with nearly seven months required for pre-production and eight months for post-production. The team was then on a lookout for a Chinese actor to play the role of Chinali, Marakkar IV's trusted lieutenant.[17] In May 2018, it was reported that Akkineni Nagarjuna, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal has been cast alongside Mohanlal in ensemble roles.[18] Shetty was confirmed to have signed the film,[19] while Nagarjuna was in talks for a role.[20] Shetty grew his hair out for his role.[21] In June, Nagarjuna said he has not yet heard the script and will sign only after that.[22] At the end, he did not take the role.[23] Priyadarshan and Sasi completed the final draft of screenplay by early June 2018.[24] Madhu and Prabhu were confirmed in that month, with the former cast as Kunjali Marakkar I / Kuttiyali Marakkar and the latter in an undisclosed pivotal role.[25] However, Madhu opted out from the film (and other films) as part of his decision to retire from cinema industry.[26] Later, Fazil took the role in his absence.[14] Akshay Kumar was offered a role, but declined.[27]

In July 2018, Durga Krishna was reported to have been cast in a pivotal role.[28] The team was aiming to complete the casting by the end of September 2018, including the actress for the female lead role. More cast were revealed in that month. Arjun Sarja was confirmed in a principal role. Both Shetty's and Sarja's roles are based on real-life characters in a "slightly fictionalised" forms as not much about them are known from history. Renji Panicker, Nedumudi Venu and Siddique were confirmed in supporting roles.[29] Priyadarshan revealed that Pranav Mohanlal and Kalyani Priyadarshan will be making "special appearances" in the film, with Pranav enacting young Marakkar IV.[30] They play a couple in the film.[31] Kalyani said she herself asked her father for a role in the film.[32] Keerthy Suresh plays an important role. She learned Veena as part of preparing for her character who is trained in classical music. Her character has a romantic relationship with Chinali / Chiang Juvan played by Chinese actor Jay J. Jakkrit.[33] Mukesh was confirmed to be in the film. In October 2018, Pooja Kumar was in talks for a role.[34] Manju Warrier was cast as Zubaida.[35] Ashok Selvan made his Malayalam cinema debut with the film, playing an antagonistic role.[36] Shiyas Kareem was cast as a sidekick in Marakkar IV's gang; he had 50 days shoot.[37]

One of the abandoned set of Marakkar at Ramoji Film City.

Priyadarshan's frequent collaborator Sabu Cyril was the film's production designer.[38] Four life-size ships and a 200×200 metre tank were built at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. During the period of Kunjali Marakkars, ships were not made but bought from Egypt.[39] A dozen other sets were also created for the film.[40] The story is set 500 years ago in Kerala. Even though the events that happened during that time are recorded in history, there is no proper documentation about the outfits, ornaments, their colour, weapons or home appliances used at the time. Hence, some of them had to be made from imagination by analysing available materials.[41] Indrakshi Pattanaik designed the costumes.[42]

Principal photography began on 1 December 2018 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. The cinematography was handled by Tirru.[43] Co-writer Ani Sasi also worked as an assistant director in the film. Pranav and Kalyani shot a few scenes early in the month.[44] The song sequence featuring the two was choreographed by Brinda.[31] Mohanlal joined the sets in the middle of the month.[45][46] Principal photography lasted for 104 days.[7][7] It was wrapped in late March 2019.[47] Majority of the film was shot at Ramoji Film City and few remaining scenes were filmed at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram in five days.[48][49]

For handling the visual effects of the film, Pune-based Anibrain which is globally recognized for its partnership with Framestore has been signed.[50] A year long visual effects process progressed for the film. Priyadarshan's son Sidharth is the visual effects supervisor.[51] The film had 14 months long post-production work.[52]

On 22 September 2019, some footage from the film was exclusively screened at the event Aashirvadathode Lalettan, which was held at Gokulam Park in Kochi, organised by Aashirvad Cinemas.[59] In February 2020, Jain University and Manorama Online jointly organised a contest as part of the film, participants has to present their own version of a dialogue said by Mohanlal in the film. Winners get a ride with Mohanlal on the luxury cruise ship Nefertiti.[60] In the same month, an exclusive teaser of the film was released at the 22nd Asianet Film Awards ceremony.[61]

On 1 January 2020, coinciding with the New Year's Day, the first-look poster of the film was unveiled by the cast and crew on their social media pages featuring Mohanlal riding on a horse in a battlefield with a Happy New Year message written by Mohanlal.[62]

On 19 January 2020, the cast and crew of the film released the first character poster featuring Keerthy Suresh as Aarcha on their social media pages.[63] On 21 January 2020, the second character poster featuring Arjun Sarja as Anandan was unveiled on the film's social media pages.[64] On 23 January 2020, the third character poster featuring Suniel Shetty as Chandroth Panicker was unveiled on the film's social media pages.[65]

On 26 January 2020, the first teaser of the film was released on YouTube.[66][67] On 1 February 2020, the third character poster featuring Prabhu as Thangudu was unveiled on the film's social media pages.[68] On 3 February 2020, the fourth character poster featuring Manju Warrier as Subaida was unveiled on the film's social media pages.[69] On 4 February 2020, the fifth character poster featuring Siddique as Pattu Marakkar was unveiled on the film's social media pages.[70] on 5 February 2020, the sixth character poster featuring Ashok Selvan as Achuthan was unveiled on the film's social media pages.

On 6 February 2020, Aashirvad Cinemas through their YouTube and Facebook accounts released a video of Siddique talking about the film and his experiences.[71] In the subsequent days, character posters featuring Fazil, Nedumudi Venu, Suhasini Maniratnam, Innocent, Mukesh, Ganesh Kumar, Mamukkoya, and etc. were unveiled on the film's social media pages. Aashirvad Cinemas continued releasing videos on their YouTube and Facebook accounts of Manju Warrier, Fazil, Mukesh, Ganesh Kumar and Hareesh Peradi talking about the film and their experiences.

On 10 February 2020, Saina Video Vision posted on their social media accounts announced that they had bagged the audio rights for the highest music bid in the history of Malayalam Cinema.[72] On 25 February 2020, Saina released a video on their YouTube channel of Mohanlal announcing that all the songs, teaser, trailer and sneak peeks will be released thrugh Saina Movies followed by visuals from the film.

On 21 February 2020, Kalaipuli S. Thanu through his social media accounts posted the Tamil First Look of film with the Tamil Version of the film titled as Maraikkayar Arabikkadalin Singam. On 23 February. Kalaipuli S. Thanu through his social media accounts released a video of Mohanlal talking in Tamil, about Thanu joining hands for the second time with Mohanlal and Priyadarshan, 24 years since Kaalapani (released as Siraichalai) to distribute Marakkar across Tamil Nadu and talked about the film.

On 26 February 2020, Mohanlal through his social media accounts posted a character poster featuring Pranav Mohanlal as Mammali, the younger version of Kunjali Marakkar IV. On 27 February 2020, Mohanlal posted a poster of the film featuring his son Pranav Mohanlal and himself with a bow and arrow.[73]

The official trailer of the film was unveiled on 6 March 2020. The Malayalam version was released by Saina Video Vision, Tamil and Hindi versions by Divo, Kannada version by Paramvah Studios and Telugu version by Telugu Filmnagar respectively.[74]