Nivin Pauly’s NP 51 First Look Is a Family Entertainer Tease

Nivin Pauly rang in his birthday with a first look from his next Malayalam film, still officially going by NP 51. The reveal arrived on Sunday, and it gives fans a restrained, slice-of-life glimpse: Nivin in a cream T-shirt and beard, seated on a sofa with a newspaper, a serious expression on his face and greenery framing the window behind him.

The image does more with mood than plot. It places the actor in a domestic, unhurried setting and suggests the film’s promised tone—a family entertainer that mixes humour with romance—rather than spelling out the story.

What we know about NP 51

For now, the title itself is part of the conversation. Actor Jagadish had earlier indicated the film would be called Rom Com, but the makers have not confirmed that name. Until they do, the project is being referred to by its production number: NP 51.

Nashid Famy directs. This is his first film as director, after he co-wrote the 2022 Malayalam comedy Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey. The screenplay is co-written by Nidhin Nagesh, and Martin Prakkat produces under his banner with Nivin’s Pauly Jr Pictures and Green Room Productions. Green Room Release will distribute.

New faces and familiar ones

• Rukmini Vasanth makes her Malayalam debut with NP 51, after building her name in Kannada cinema through the Sapta Sagaradaache Ello duology and Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1.
• Aju Varghese reunites with Nivin after their 2025 blockbuster Sarvam Maya.
• Jagadish, Kalaranjini and Ashokan round out an ensemble that pulls from different generations of Malayalam cinema.
• Electronic Kili composes, with Bablu Aju on camera and Kannan Mohan editing.

Where it sits in Nivin’s packed slate

The film is being targeted for a Vishu release in April 2027, which would make it a major festival-season outing. That timeline matters for fans because Nivin has several projects moving at once: Benz with Raghava Lawrence and Ravi Mohan, Dear Students with Nayanthara, and Vijayam, his 50th film and a reunion with Alphonse Puthren after Neram and Premam.

NP 51, in that context, looks like a deliberately different bet: a new director, a debut pairing, and a lighter family-entertainer register. That contrast could give it its own space when the promotional campaign finally reveals the title and characters.

Source: Filmfare