After the action-thriller Shikkar, actor Mohanlal is joining hands with M Padmakumar and scriptwriter Suresh Babu again for the second time. Titled Kanal, the movie is touted to be a family thriller.

Filmmaker Padmakumar says the story of Kanal revolves around two people who are stuck in Dubai, affected by the recession, and are now back to God's Own Country. "The two don't share a similar lifestyle and have had different experiences in Dubai. What happens after they meet in Kerala forms the plot of the story."

It is after a gap of five years that Mohanlal is working with M Padmakumar. Shikkar saw the superstar play a lorry driver. Speaking about the new film, Padmakumar says, "We want to shoot the movie in a realistic way. It is too early to let out other details as the film will go on floors only by August."

The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised. Vinod Illampilly will crank the camera while Ouseppachan will be the music director for the film. Kanal will be shot at Ernakulam, Mysore, Munnar and in Dubai too. The director's last film was Polytechnic, an entertainer starring Kunchacko Boban and Bhavana in the lead roles. Mohanlal has Sathyan Anthikkad's untitled project and Joshiy's Lailaa O Lailaa set for release.