Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam has been in the audience's attention since its announcement as being the first film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, starring Mammootty. The world wide premiere of the film was at the recent Kerala International Film Festival. The film's screenings also drew the biggest crowds at IFFK. Not only were the three shows of the film, but there were many moviegoers who had to return disappointed as they could not get entry to the theatre. The theatrical release of the film has started to be demanded by the audience at the IFFK venue. Lijo's response on stage was that it should be decided by Mammootty. But the film, produced by Mammootty himself under the banner of Mammootty Kampany, has started screening.
The film has broken the preconceived notion that there will be no one in the theatre to watch a film that gets applause at the festival screening on the very first day. Although there was pre-release hype about Lijo and Mammooty teaming up for the first time, the film is getting a huge response. Beyond the first shows, the evening shows are also receiving huge advance bookings.
Lijo has taken a detour from his previous films in terms of treatment. If Lijo's earlier films had a place for conflict scenes, violence, then Mayakkam is a meditative experience. Mammootty plays the roles of James, a theatre troupe owner, and Sundaram, a resident of Palani, in the film. Mammootty's performance is also appreciated by the audience members who have seen the film. Nanpakal Nerath Mayakkam is also the first film produced by Mammootty under the name of Mammootty Kampany. The film has been released by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. Ramya Pandian, Ashokan, Kainakari Thangaraj, Suresh Babu, Chetan Jayalal, Ashwant Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Sharma, and the late Tamil actor Poo Ramu have played other important roles. The cinematography of the film is by Theni Eshwar. Editing is by Deepu S. Joseph. The screenplay and dialogues are by S. Harish for the story by Lijo Jose Pellissery.
