Meiyazhagan director Prem Kumar join hands with Fahadh Faasil for Tamil action thriller

Prem Kumar and Fahadh Faasil to work together on next project

Malayalam star Fahadh Faasil, one of the most respected actors in Indian cinema, has had a bumpy run at the box office lately. Apart from the smash hit Aavesham, many of his recent outings — from Irul and Joji to Malik, Malayankunju and Dhoomam — didn’t quite land commercially despite critical acclaim. His Onam release, Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira, also failed to click.

But the tide may be turning. In a recent chat, director Prem Kumar confirmed that his next film will star Fahadh in the lead. Prem, the man behind the much-loved 96 and Meiyazhagan, is best known for weaving intimate, emotional stories.

This time, though, he’s stepping into new territory with an action thriller. “My next film is with Fahadh Faasil. It will be a thriller with action, but my core emotion touch will be there. I narrated 45 mins to Fafa & he liked a lot,” Prem revealed.

The project will be a direct Tamil film, with filming set to begin in January 2026. This Tamil film may give Fahadh another pan India approach after Pushpa and its sequel.

Prem Kumar also hinted at what else is cooking. His planned collaboration with Chiyaan Vikram has been pushed back as the script still needs fine-tuning. He also has a survival adventure drama lined up, built around nine interconnected characters, and a highly unconventional love story — one without a heroine — which promises to break familiar moulds.

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The Fahadh project, by contrast, will have a leaner cast and a sharper focus, designed to heighten tension and emotion. For fans, the prospect of Fahadh’s intensity meeting Prem Kumar’s sensitivity is an exciting one.

Prem already commands a loyal following thanks to films like 96 (later remade in Telugu as Jaanu) and Sathyam Sundaram. If he can channel that same emotional heft into a thriller, this could be just the comeback Fahadh needs.