The last 25 days have been a whirlwind for Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan, who’s the latest South star to hit it big on a pan-Indian level with his film Marco, which dropped on December 20, 2024, and has been making waves ever since. While some folks credit the film's success to its action-packed nature or the high production values and buzz, it’s clear that Unni has nailed the pan-Indian challenge that not many of his peers have managed to pull off with a theatrical release.

In a laid-back and exclusive chat with OTTplay, Unni shares that this moment marks the end of a six-year journey he started back in 2018, aiming to shift away from his action-hero persona. However, his return to the genre with Haneef Adeni’s Marco has been a game-changer, setting new standards for action films in Indian cinema.

He opens up about how he brought his vision to life, what the success of Marco means for him, and what’s next in his career.

Three years back, when Meppadiyan came out, you mentioned wanting to move away from that action-hero persona you had in the industry. But with Marco, it seems like you've fully leaned into it. What led to that change?

Actually, this shift started back in 2018. I realized I needed to create a work environment that inspired me. It wasn’t just about taking on any film that came my way. I wanted to change how people viewed me. At that time, there was a lot of chatter about me being seen as ‘all muscle and no smarts,’ so I thought I should take on different types of films—maybe something family-friendly or a comedy—that could help me break that mold, which was largely shaped by my earlier roles as a tough guy.

I was definitely skilled in action, but I felt I had to step back to fit into the category of a ‘real actor.’ Things went as planned, and I started my own production company, Unni Mukundan Films, aiming to create the kinds of movies I wasn’t being offered. Meppadiyan, which even snagged a National Award, marked the start of this journey, and I underwent a body transformation for that role where my physique wasn’t the focus.

The idea was to make five films, and I managed to do that with Meppadiyan, Shefeekkinte Santhosham, Jai Ganesh, Malikappuram, and the soon-to-be-released Get Set Baby, which I wrapped up before Marco.

Honestly, I think the best move I made as an actor was embracing my role as a producer. I really nailed the task of building a company, making the kinds of films I wanted to be involved in, and attracting an audience that enjoys my work. This strong support from family viewers also played a big part in Marco's success, which has hit over Rs 100 Cr at the box office in India, even though it’s an A-rated film.

So yeah, I had a plan, and I stuck to it. I waited six long years to dive into what I love most and what I think I do best. Having a clear vision is always a plus. Now, I’m gearing up for the next chapter, hoping that luck will be on my side too.

What does this success mean for you personally and as an actor?

It brings me more freedom and control over my choices. I genuinely feel it has shifted the direction of my career. I'm now more motivated to tackle projects that might seem riskier, especially coming from the Malayalam film scene. With films like Marco, Meppadiyan, and Malikkapuram, there were definitely concerns about their potential success. But I believed that a well-made film would always find its audience and perform well at the box office.

Right now, I feel pretty empowered. I know it sounds bold, and total control is a myth, but that's how I feel at the moment. Success is crucial, and with this level of achievement, I feel a greater responsibility to my audience.

Before Marco, you were supposed to work on another action film, Bruce Lee with Vysakh, but that fell through.

Bruce Lee didn’t go ahead for several reasons, one being the challenge of convincing others involved. I had to walk away because I wasn’t confident in how the film was being developed. It wasn’t the type of action film I wanted to be part of; Marco was exactly what I envisioned for my return to the action genre. I didn’t want to do action just for the sake of it; I aimed to set a standard and leave a mark. Now, Marco is recognized as one of the most intense action films in India, not just within the Malayalam industry. That’s precisely what I aimed for, and I’m thrilled we achieved it with such high production values.

Having found success in the same genre, along with a producer who gives you complete freedom and a director who can fully express his vision, how crucial do you think these factors are for an actor?

These elements are super important, especially if you want to make a lasting mark in your career. I have a specific taste in films and strong views about them. The main reason I got into the film industry was to express myself, and to do that, you need to have some control over your work. Achieving a bit of success early on can help you get there, or you might need to carve out your own space to make decisions. Things really shifted for me once I took on the role of producer.

Plus, the producer side of me never felt the pressure of creative obligations. The actor side, however, had to step up because it was necessary at the time. I was pursuing a vision for where I wanted my career to head. I think the film industry is unpredictable, and you can’t underestimate the role of luck. But I believe that a dedicated person will eventually find their luck.

Marco is a film that really pulled you in – physically, emotionally, and financially. Did you ever feel worn out during the process?

Absolutely, there were times when I felt drained. There was so much on the line and a lot going on. But I chose this path. I was both physically and mentally exhausted because I wanted to wrap up the movie within a specific timeframe. Plus, taking on Marco was a big gamble for my team and me. Even though we stayed optimistic, it was hard to ignore the doubts from outside. Now, I'm taking my time to kick off the shoot for my next film.

Before Marco, there were quite a few Malayalam films that attempted the pan-Indian approach but didn’t quite make it. What did you do to make sure Marco succeeded, and how hands-on were you in planning and executing that strategy?

I never labeled Marco with that term because I wanted it to feel natural, at least from my perspective. I crafted a project that had the potential to resonate beyond Kerala. I think it’s important for audiences, no matter where they are, to find some connection to the story for the film to succeed. While connecting through region or culture can be challenging, entertainment can bridge that gap more easily. That was the whole idea.

I was really curious to see how Marco would be received by Hindi audiences, and I'm thrilled it performed so well. The previous record for a Hindi-dubbed Malayalam film was around Rs 25 lakh, and now we're looking at Rs 13-15 Cr. That's a huge leap and should inspire other Malayalam filmmakers. I'm excited that Marco is the first Malayalam film, or at least the latest one, to be embraced as a pan-Indian movie, allowing me to gain recognition from audiences beyond Kerala.

I also think that making this kind of money is mostly possible with action films that are adaptations of successful South Indian movies. However, the production costs for action films are nearly five times higher than for regular films.

How do you think Marco's success will influence the next stage of your career?

After Marco, the main challenge will be meeting audience expectations. I have a plan in mind and I'm eager to see how it all plays out. I don’t want to focus too much on the pan-Indian success because every actor aims to grow. It’s just a new label we've created to describe greater success. I'm happy that Marco is reaching new audiences, including those who don’t speak my native language but are excited to see me on screen. That’s what really excites me.

You’ve got Get Set Baby on the horizon, plus Gandharva Jr. just got announced. Do you think Marco’s success will have an effect on these projects?

I really think it’ll be a boost for Get Set Baby, directed by Vinay Govind. It’s an awesome film with fantastic music and takes a thoughtful approach to a serious topic. For me as an actor, it’s a chance to reconnect with family audiences. I expect the movie to be received differently. The new crowd, especially the younger viewers who enjoyed Marco, will likely find it a nice change to see me in this role, without any violence. I’m optimistic that Get Set Baby will turn out to be a solid family flick.

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