With a burning cigar in hand and blood streaming down his face, Pepe (Antony Varghese) sets the screen ablaze — the heavy mass first-look poster of “Kattalan” is out now.

Produced by Sharif Muhammed under the banner of Cubes Entertainments, Kattalan marks Antony Varghese Pepe’s next film after the superhit Marco, which was hailed as one of the most violent Malayalam films ever made.

The first look features Pepe holding a lit cigar, his face smeared with blood and eyes blazing with intensity. The poster hints that the actor will be seen in a completely never-before-seen avatar in this film. Directed by newcomer Paul George, the first look promises a shocking and powerful cinematic experience for audiences.

With high-end technical brilliance and a massive budget, Kattalan is being touted as one of the most visually spectacular films in Malayalam cinema.

The film’s shooting began recently in Thailand. During the filming of an action sequence involving an elephant, Antony Varghese Pepe sustained an injury — his hand was fractured in the mishap, according to the crew. He was hospitalized for treatment and is currently resting. Owing to the accident, the next shooting schedule of the film has been temporarily postponed.