Kunchacko Boban and Ashiq Usman: Four Films Before Their Fifth
Kunchacko Boban and producer Ashiq Usman announced a fifth film on 2 November. Meet the four before it, the debut director, and what is still unconfirmed.
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Short answer: Kunchacko Boban and producer Ashiq Usman are making a fifth film together. It was announced on 2 November 2026, Kunchacko's birthday, with debutant George Jacob directing and Vivek Achu and Aparna Das writing. The four earlier films were Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum (2016), Varnyathil Aashanka (2017), Allu Ramendran (2019) and Anjaam Pathiraa (2020). If you only have time for one before the new film arrives, watch Anjaam Pathiraa; if you want the lighter side of the partnership, start with Varnyathil Aashanka.
The title, cast, story and release date of the new film have not been announced. What follows separates what is confirmed from what is not, and gives a quick guide to the four films behind it.
What was announced
According to Filmfare and Onmanorama, the makers revealed the project on Monday, 2 November, Kunchacko Boban's birthday. The film is produced by Ashiq Usman Productions, directed by debutant George Jacob, and written by Vivek Achu and Aparna Das. Onmanorama describes it as the reunion after the 2020 thriller Anjaam Pathiraa, and Filmfare counts it as the producer's fifth collaboration with the actor.
- Confirmed: producer (Ashiq Usman), lead actor (Kunchacko Boban), director (George Jacob, debut), writers (Vivek Achu and Aparna Das).
- Not confirmed: title, genre, supporting cast, shooting dates and release window. Filmfare says story, cast and schedule are still under wraps, so any "release date" you see online is a guess.
The four films before it
One thing stands out when you line them up: every film in this partnership has had a different director, and the genre has changed each time. Here is a plain summary, with details taken from Wikipedia's film pages and Filmfare's recap.
Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum (2016): the romantic comedy
Directed by Boban Samuel, it stars Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya as the two title characters, with Amala Paul as the female lead. It was released on 6 July 2016, the Eid release slot. This is the easy, crowd-pleasing entry and the place to start if you want a festival-season comedy.
Varnyathil Aashanka (2017): the heist comedy
Directed by Sidharth Bharathan and released on 4 August 2017. It is a heist comedy with Kunchacko Boban alongside Suraj Venjaramoodu, Chemban Vinod Jose and Shine Tom Chacko. Wikipedia records positive reviews. It is the best pick if you like ensemble comedies where the supporting cast steals scenes.
Allu Ramendran (2019): the comedy thriller
Directed by Bilahari, with Kunchacko in the title role and Chandini Sreedharan, Aparna Balamurali and Krishna Shankar in support. It was released on 1 February 2019 with music by Shaan Rahman. The screenplay credit includes Sajin Cherukayil, Vineeth Vasudevan and Girish A.D., the writer who later directed Premalu; we covered his route in our Girish A.D. guide.
Anjaam Pathiraa (2020): the crime thriller
Written and directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, released on 10 January 2020, with Sushin Shyam on music and Shyju Khalid behind the camera. Sharaf U Dheen, Sreenath Bhasi and Unnimaya Prasad share the cast. Wikipedia reports positive reviews and notes it became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2020. It also says parts of the plot drew on real crimes, so expect dark material. Midhun has also announced a sequel, Aaraam Pathiraa; we have not seen a confirmed release date for it.
Who is Ashiq Usman?
Wikipedia describes Ashiq Usman as a film producer, and a former child actor, who launched Ashiq Usman Productions in 2012. His first film as producer was Arikil Oraal (2013), directed by Sunil Ibrahim with Indrajith Sukumaran, Remya Nambeesan and Nivin Pauly. He later produced Thallumaala (2022), directed by Khalid Rahman. Filmfare adds two titles from his current slate: Athimanoharam, which it calls Mohanlal's upcoming Christmas release, and Torpedo, with Naslen, Fahadh Faasil, Arjun Das and Ganapathi. For the Athimanoharam side of the story, our Tharun Moorthy watch guide collects what has been confirmed.
Why this reunion matters
A producer-and-star partnership that survives five films is unusual in any industry, and it is more interesting here because the pair keep changing directors. The first four films went to four different filmmakers; the fifth goes to a first-time director. That fits a pattern we have followed on this site, where newer filmmakers get big opportunities (see the new-generation wave and Anoop Sathyan's second film). It also shows how producers, not just stars and directors, shape what Malayalam audiences see.
Kunchacko Boban's busy November
Filmfare notes that the actor has two theatrical releases in the same month, both before the new project even starts shooting:
- Bachelor Party D'eux: directed by Amal Neerad, scheduled for 19 November. It follows Amal Neerad's 2012 film Bachelor Party and has a large ensemble including Naslen, Tovino Thomas, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Nadiya Moidu, Jyothirmayee and Rajisha Vijayan alongside Kunchacko.
- Hail Mary: debutant Vishnu Revikumar's film, scheduled for 26 November, based on a story by GR Indugopan, with a screenplay by Dr Neeraj Rajan and Martin Prakkat. The cast includes Suraj Venjaramoodu, Anu Sithara, Jagadish, Vinay Forrt, Suhasini Maniratnam, Hakim Shah and Kavya Ramachandran.
Filmfare also lists Nere Chovva, where he shares the screen with Manju Warrier, and Shifina Babin Pakker's 40 Days of House Party among his other projects. Release dates can move, so check the theatre listings before you plan a trip.
A simple watch order
- Anjaam Pathiraa: the one most people mean when they say "Kunchacko and Ashiq Usman". Check your streaming service; avoid unofficial full-film uploads.
- Varnyathil Aashanka: a lighter, ensemble-driven heist comedy.
- Allu Ramendran: a comedy thriller that is worth seeing for the Girish A.D. writing credit.
- Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum: the first film of the partnership and the simplest romantic comedy.
For more on the genre that Anjaam Pathiraa belongs to, read our piece on the rise of Malayalam crime thrillers. To plan your viewing, see upcoming Malayalam movies and the best Malayalam movies on OTT.
FAQ
Who is directing the new Kunchacko Boban and Ashiq Usman film?
George Jacob, making his directorial debut. Vivek Achu and Aparna Das wrote it.
Which films have Kunchacko Boban and Ashiq Usman made together?
Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum, Varnyathil Aashanka, Allu Ramendran and Anjaam Pathiraa. The new film will be their fifth.
When will the new film release?
No release date or title has been announced as of 3 November 2026.
Which Kunchacko Boban films release in November 2026?
Per Filmfare, Bachelor Party D'eux is slated for 19 November and Hail Mary for 26 November.
Sources: Filmfare, "Kunchacko Boban Announces New Film, Adds To Packed Upcoming Slate" (3 November 2026); Onmanorama, "Kunchacko Boban, Ashiq Usman Productions reunite for new film after 'Anjaam Pathiraa'" (3 November 2026); Wikipedia pages for "Ashiq Usman", "Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum", "Varnyathil Aashanka", "Allu Ramendran", "Anjaam Pathiraa" and "Arikil Oraal".
