Puli Murugan, the blockbuster action thriller directed by Vysakh and starring Mohanlal, made its world television premiere on Asianet as part of the channel’s Vishu 2017 special programming. The film premiered on Friday, 14 April 2017 at 7:00 PM, simultaneously on Asianet and Asianet HD, giving viewers the opportunity to enjoy the record-breaking blockbuster in high-definition.
Asianet celebrated the festive season by bringing two of Mohanlal’s biggest hits to television audiences. Oppam premiered on 9 April 2017, followed by the much-awaited television debut of Puli Murugan during the Vishu celebrations.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Vysakh and produced by Tomichan Mulakupadam, Puli Murugan became a landmark film in Malayalam cinema. Mohanlal played the title role of Murugan, a fearless hunter who protects villagers living near a forest from man-eating tigers.
The film featured Kamalini Mukherjee as the female lead, with Jagapati Babu, Namitha, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Bala, and Lal in important supporting roles. The music was composed by Gopi Sundar, while Shaji Kumar handled the cinematography.
A Historic Box Office Success
Upon its theatrical release, Puli Murugan rewrote Malayalam box office history by becoming the first Malayalam film to cross the ₹100 crore mark worldwide. The film later surpassed ₹150 crore in global collections, establishing itself as one of the biggest commercial successes in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Its spectacular action sequences, emotional storytelling, and Mohanlal’s powerful performance made the film a massive success across all audience segments.
Television Success
The world television premiere of Puli Murugan generated tremendous anticipation among viewers and went on to become one of the most-watched Malayalam movie premieres on television. Over the years, Mohanlal films including Puli Murugan, Lucifer, and Drishyam have consistently ranked among the highest-rated Malayalam movie premieres on television.
A Special Connection with Khalifa
Puli Murugan was the first collaboration between director Vysakh and Mohanlal, delivering one of the biggest blockbusters in Malayalam cinema. Their successful association continues with Khalifa, where Mohanlal appears in the pivotal role of Mamparakkal Ahmed Ali, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran. This makes Puli Murugan an important chapter in the long-standing creative partnership between Vysakh and Mohanlal.
