Kochi: Mohanlal’s upcoming film, previously known as L367, has officially been titled Operation Ganga. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Vishnu Mohan, the film is inspired by India’s large-scale evacuation mission to bring citizens stranded in Ukraine back home after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The makers announced the title on social media, officially revealing the subject and identity of the much-awaited project. The film features Mohanlal in the lead, alongside Arjun Rampal, Bhagyashri Borse, Parthiban and Adil Hussain in key roles.
Film draws from India’s Ukraine evacuation mission
Operation Ganga takes its title from the evacuation operation undertaken by the Indian government in 2022 after the Russia-Ukraine conflict left thousands of Indian citizens stranded in Ukraine.
A large number of those caught in the conflict were students pursuing medical and other courses in the country. With fighting escalating in several parts of Ukraine, the evacuation effort involved bringing Indian nationals across difficult and rapidly changing conditions to safety.
The real-life operation became a significant chapter in India’s efforts to assist its citizens during an international crisis. The film is expected to draw from the events surrounding the mission and present a cinematic account of the challenges involved in getting stranded Indians out of the war-affected region.
While the makers have not disclosed the complete storyline or Mohanlal’s character, the title indicates that the evacuation mission will form the central backdrop of the film.
Vishnu Mohan returns after National Award-winning debut
The project marks Vishnu Mohan’s second directorial venture after Meppadiyan. His debut film earned him the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, establishing him as a filmmaker to watch.
With Operation Ganga, Vishnu Mohan is taking on a considerably larger subject rooted in a major contemporary international event. The film brings together a combination of prominent actors and technicians from different parts of the Indian film industry.
The scale and subject of the project also mark an ambitious follow-up for the director, who will now be presenting a story connected to a real evacuation operation involving Indian citizens caught in a war zone.
Mohanlal leads an ensemble cast
Mohanlal headlines the film, with Arjun Rampal, Bhagyashri Borse, Parthiban and Adil Hussain also playing important roles.
The makers have yet to reveal the individual characters portrayed by the principal cast. Further details about their roles are expected to provide more clarity on how the film will approach the real-life events and the people involved in the evacuation.
Mohanlal’s involvement has added considerable attention to the project, particularly given the film’s national and international backdrop.
Pan-Indian technical team on board
The film has assembled a technical crew comprising professionals who have worked across different Indian and international productions.
Cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek, known for his work on the Pushpa films, is part of the project. Rajeevan is serving as production designer, while Sea Young Oh is handling the action sequences.
The editing is being handled by Shameer Mohammed, with Bishwadeep Chatterjee serving as sound designer. K. V. Sanjit is the VFX supervisor, while Sqn Ldr Varlin Panwar has been brought on board as the military advisor.
The technical team also includes music composer Shashwat Sachdev, costume director Melvy J, makeup artist Ronex Xavier and production controller Rinny Divakar.
The involvement of a military advisor is particularly notable given the film’s setting against the backdrop of a major international conflict and evacuation mission.
Sree Gokulam Movies backs the project
Operation Ganga is produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies. Baiju Gopalan and V. C. Praveen are serving as co-producers, while Krishnamoorthy is the executive producer.
The production combines a high-profile cast with a large technical team as the makers seek to translate a recent real-world event into a feature film.
However, details about the film’s release date, language versions and the exact nature of the narrative have not yet been announced.
Release details awaited
With the official title now confirmed, expectations are likely to grow around the project and its treatment of the Ukraine evacuation mission.
The makers are yet to announce further details regarding the release plans and the characters played by the ensemble cast. More information is expected to emerge as the production progresses.
For now, the title Operation Ganga establishes the film’s connection with one of India’s most prominent evacuation efforts in recent years, while Mohanlal’s presence and Vishnu Mohan’s direction make the project one of the notable upcoming films to watch.