Mohanlal's upcoming film Odiyan starts rolling in Varanasi on Sunday. The film, tipped to be a black magic thriller, will mark the directorial debut of ad-filmmaker VA Shrikumar Menon. Written by national award winner Harikrishnan Kornath, Odiyan stars Manju Warrier in the female lead.

Mohanlal, will be seen essaying the titular role of Odiyan Manikyan in the film. Lalettan will be seen sporting multiple looks in Odiyan from the age of 30 to 65. His character is said to be a terrific athlete, who is also mastered in Odividya and can run on four legs and jump higher than normal people. National award winning director Peter Hein of Pulimurugan fame has been finalised as the stunt director of the film.

Though the makers were earlier planned to release Odiyan in 2017, but now they have decided to release the film on March 30, 2018 , a few days before the auspicious Onam weekend. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the home banner Aashirvad Cinemas, the shooting of the big budget film will be set in Palakkad, Pollachi, Hyderabad and Varanasi .