Iconic 'Premam' duo returns: Nivin Pauly and Alphonse Puthren team up for 'Vijayam'

KOCHI: Setting social media ablaze and ending a 12-year-long wait for Mollywood fans, the iconic duo behind the modern classics Neram and Premam are officially back together. Star actor Nivin Pauly and filmmaker Alphonse Puthren have formally announced their next collaboration, aptly titled Vijayam.

The grand unveiling carried an extra layer of celebration as the project officially marks a historic milestone—the 50th film in Nivin Pauly's career. The title announcement video was launched before a packed, roaring crowd of fans and moviegoers at the historic Padma Theatre in Ernakulam.

Stepping back into his signature multihyphenate role, Alphonse Puthren is taking absolute creative control of Vijayam, serving as the project's writer, director, and editor.

Departing from the slice-of-life romance and dark comedy elements that defined their previous blockbusters, Vijayam is reportedly set against the high-octane backdrop of professional racing. The cheeky announcement video sets a perfectly self-aware tone; it opens by leaning into internet memes and lighthearted trolling directed at Alphonse himself, before shifting into a nostalgic, visual journey featuring the two longtime friends hitting the road together.

On the production front, the film is being bankrolled on a massive scale by Tonson Tony and Sunil Ramady under the Cineholics banner, co-produced alongside Nivin’s home banner, Pauly Junior Pictures. Kootu Shivanandan joins the team as the project designer and executive producer.

Adding major musical pedigree to the technical crew, the film's background score will be crafted by Mumbai-based Malayali musician Steve Kottoor. Steve Kottoor has been making waves nationally, having recently worked on the high-profile action flicks Durandhar and Durandhar 2, alongside his music production work on Aryan Khan's highly anticipated directorial debut web series, Bads of Bollywood.

Given how Premam completely reshaped the landscape of pop culture across South India over a decade ago, the hype for Vijayam is already hitting a fever pitch. While the title teaser has given audiences a taste of the film’s distinctive, playful energy, the makers have kept the rest of the ensemble cast and technical crew under wraps, with more announcements expected to drop shortly.