The Malayalam action-comedy "Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies" has officially locked its release date for January 22, 2026. The film, directed by Advaith Nair, is set against the backdrop of an underground wrestling club in Fort Kochi and promises to be a unique action-comedy experience inspired by WWE-style wrestling.
The announcement of the release date was accompanied by a new poster that has intensified speculation about a possible cameo by veteran actor Mammootty. The poster features a wrestling ring with roaring crowds and flying currency notes, but what caught the attention of fans was the stylized phrase "IN CINE'M'AS," with the letter "M" visually highlighted. This subtle nod has been widely interpreted as a deliberate tease, hinting at Mammootty's involvement in the film.
Adding fuel to the fire, the film's official social media handle tagged Mammootty's production company, Mammootty Kampany, in the release date announcement. While there has been no official confirmation, buzz suggests that Mammootty might play the role of a wrestling coach. The makers have remained tight-lipped, but the subtle hints have kept audience interest alive.
"Chatha Pacha" features an ensemble cast including Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew, Vishak Nair, and Ishan Shoukath in lead roles, along with Siddique and Lakshmi Menon in supporting roles. The film is produced by Shihan Shoukath and Ritesh S. Ramakrishnan under the banner of Reel World Entertainment.
The film marks the directorial debut of Advaith Nayar, who has previously worked as an assistant director with renowned filmmakers. The screenplay is written by Sanoop Thykoodam. The music is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, marking their Malayalam debut, with the background score by Mujeeb Majeed.
"Chatha Pacha" is expected to be a "loud, kinetic, and charisma" film that taps into Kerala's wrestling culture. The film explores the intersecting lives of characters drawn into the gritty and flamboyant world of WWE-style wrestling clubs.
The technical crew includes Anend C. Chandran as the director of photography, with additional cinematography by Jomon T. John and Sudeep Elamon. Praveen Prabhakar handles the editing, and Kalai Kingson is the action choreographer.
The film will be released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. Wayfarer Films will be handling distribution. The teaser of the film, which was released earlier, hinted at massive wrestling action sequences. With its unique theme and the possibility of a Mammootty cameo, "Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies" is generating significant buzz as it gears up for its January 22 release.
