# Santhosh Trophy: Prithviraj Sukumaran Is Out — and the Vaazha Star Joemon Jyothir’s Surprise Entry Is the Most Exciting Malayalam Casting Shake-Up of 2026

URL: https://technosports.co.in/santhosh-trophy-prithviraj-sukumaran-is-out/  
Published: 2026-06-05  
Updated: 2026-06-05  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

Big changes. Same chaos. *Santhosh Trophy* just got a brand new face — and honestly, it might be the best thing that could have happened to the film.

## Santhosh Trophy News

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Film** | Santhosh Trophy |
| **Director** | Vipin Das (*GAN*, *Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil*) |
| **Original Lead** | Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| **New Lead** | Joemon Jyothir (*Vaazha*, *Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil*) |
| **Reason for Change** | Scheduling conflicts due to *Khalifa* extended shoot |
| **Co-producer Exit** | Supriya Menon (Prithviraj Productions) also stepped away |
| **Supporting Cast** | 60 newcomer actors expected |

## What Happened?

*Santhosh Trophy* was initially announced with a first-look poster featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. However, the makers have now revealed a new poster with Joemon Jyothir replacing him — reportedly because Prithviraj had to step away due to scheduling conflicts caused by the extended shoot of *Khalifa*.

In a move that speaks volumes about the production’s confidence, the makers addressed the change head-on with a refreshingly direct message: the film has a **“new face, but the same chaos.”** That’s the energy right there.

Following Prithviraj’s exit, Supriya Menon of Prithviraj Productions, who was co-producing the film alongside Magic Frames, also stepped away from backing the project.

For more Malayalam cinema updates and South film news, visit [TechnoSports](https://www.technosports.co.in).

![Santhosh Trophy](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ps555s-1024x576.avif)

## Who Is Joemon Jyothir?

If you haven’t been tracking Malayalam cinema closely, here’s why this casting is actually exciting. Joemon Jyothir isn’t a newcomer — he’s an actor who has quietly been building one of the more interesting career profiles in the industry.

Joemon previously co-starred with Prithviraj in Vipin Das’ directorial *Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil*. After his breakthrough role in *Vaazha: Biopic of a Billion Boys*, the actor went on to appear in several films, including *Hello Mummy*, *Maranamass*, *Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal*, and more.

What makes the casting genuinely interesting is the full-circle quality of it — Joemon already has an established working chemistry with director Vipin Das, which could give *Santhosh Trophy* a real advantage from day one. This is less a replacement story and more of a reunion that the film’s team is clearly leaning into.

Learn more about the tradition of [casting changes in Indian cinema](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replacement_(filmmaking)) and how they often reshape a film’s identity entirely.

## What’s Next for Prithviraj?

Despite stepping away from *Santhosh Trophy*, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s 2026 slate is packed.

| Film | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **I, Nobody** | Heist thriller directed by Nisam Basheer (*Rorschach*); releasing July 2026 |
| **Khalifa** | Action thriller directed by Vysakh; releasing August 20, 2026 (Onam); Mohanlal in a cameo |
| **Varanasi** | SS Rajamouli directorial; stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas |

For full coverage of upcoming Malayalam and South Indian film releases, head to [TechnoSports](https://www.technosports.co.in).

## FAQs

### **Q: Why did Prithviraj Sukumaran exit *Santhosh Trophy*?**

 Prithviraj stepped away from the project due to scheduling conflicts arising from the extended production of his action film *Khalifa*, prompting the makers to recast the lead role.

### **Q: Who is replacing Prithviraj Sukumaran in *Santhosh Trophy*?**

*Vaazha* and *Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil* actor Joemon Jyothir has been cast as the new lead — with the makers confirming it’s a “new face, but the same chaos.”