For artists it is always challenges in work that attracts them. Reigning heroine Vidya Balan is to make her debut in Malayalam with Megastar Mammootty.

Vidya will be first seen in Malayalam with the film, Mathilukalkkappuram.

It is not a new affair for Bollywood ladies to appear in southern screens. North stars were seen in South Indian films when they get aged or they loose popularity. But this is not the case with Vidya Balan. She is young and sought after in Hindi. This will be her first venture after her performance in Ishqiya.

Mathilukalkkappuram will be directed by Prasad who had compleated the script a couple of years back. The film will continue with Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's story. Noted director Adoor Gopalakrishnan made Mathilukal in 1989.

The story will take off from where Adoor finished.

Ravi K Chandran directs the camera while the sound department will be headed by Resul Pookutty. Mammootty's production company, Playhouse, will produce the film.

Vidya Balan is not considered a typical Bollywood heroine who shows skin and goes the dance and gym routine. She is known for her beauty and acting performance. Her stuff can be sampled in films like Parineeta, Munna Bhai MBBS, Paa and the recent Ishqiya. Vidya was born in Palakkad, Kerala, in a south Indian Brahminical family.

The shooting of Mathilukalkkappuram will begin soon.