V.M. Vinu joins big time Malayalam directors

"Mayilattom" is the eighth film of the 46-year-old director, whose career began 16 years ago as main assistant to ace director Viji Thampi.

Vinu struck out on his own in 1996, but it was only in 1999, when he cast superstar Mammooty in "Pallavoor Devanarayanan", that people began to take note of him.

Last year, his "Baletan" became a roaring success and saw the sagging career of another superstar Mohanlal being revived.

In "Mayilattom", he has cast Jayaram in a double role, which is now bringing the crowds back into theatres in Kerala.

Vinu's next venture features Mammooty again in "Vesham", the production of which is expected to begin shortly.

"It is not that I want only superstars to act in my films. My prime concern is the story and after going through it several times, I decide the cast. Jayaram, according to me, was the apt person for the double role and I decided to have him," said Vinu.

He said he has not yet decided to work for a film with the "Balaetan" team because he was not happy with the story.