Mohanlal launches Max Lab Entertainments

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Chennai

Mohanlal

Filmstar Mohanlal has launched yet another business venture, one that will focus on film distribution, production and running multiplexes and shopping malls in Kerala.

The actor had earlier ventured into the food and restaurant business, and started a studio and TV production company. He has tried his hand earlier in production and distribution of movies too. Producer Antony Perumbavoor, industrialist K C Babu and Madhavan will be the other partners in the new venture which has been christened Max Lab Entertainments.

Antony Perumbavoor said that the company has identified locations in four places to set up a chain of multiplexes-cum-shopping malls. The first of these will come up in Chalakudy in Thrissur district at a cost of around Rs 25 crore. The other ones will be opened at Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode and Ponnani. The company has avoided main towns and has gone for tier-2 locations that have good economic viability. High realty prices too have played a part in the decision.

The multiplexes will have 2-4 screens and are expected to be up and running in two years. The shopping complexes will be leased out. Though several companies have announced multiplex projects in the state, none have come up yet. It looks like Max Lab project will be the first one.

To begin with, Max Lab will undertake the distribution of the big budget Mohanlal starrer in Malayalam, Sagar alias Jacky, which is a sequel to the Mohanlal hit film that came many years ago. The film, to be shot outside India, is produced by Antony Perumbavoor.

Max Lab has lined up a series of around eight films for distribution. After Sagar alias Jacky, the next on the list is a multi-starrer involving two superstars, Mohanlal and Mammootty. The film, titled Hello Mayavi, is slated to hit theatres next year. Once the multiplexes are open, films distributed by Max Lab will be screened there.