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"Furnace city" emerges as "coolcation" magnet for global travelers_我的网站

A |     Putting an end to rising industry speculation, Adoor Gopalakrishnan has officially confirmed that his next directorial venture will feature Mammootty in the lead role. The project marks a monumental reunion for Malayalam cinema, bringing together a filmmaker celebrated for redefining Indian arthouse storytelling and an actor whose craft continues to expand with every new performance. The film will be produced by Mammootty Kampany, the star’s home banner that has backed acclaimed titles in recent years.A landmark reunion, decades in the makingThis new collaboration arrives more than three decades after Adoor and Mammootty last worked together. The duo previously joined forces for three revered films that shaped the grammar of Malayalam parallel cinema. Anantaram from 1987 introduced a layered narrative form that played with memory and identity. Mathilukal from 1989 remains one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema, a tender adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s semi autobiographical story where Mammootty’s performance is remembered for its quiet emotional power. Vidheyan from 1994 brought a darker, psychological narrative that examined power and submission, with Mammootty playing one of the most unsettling characters of his career.These works not only elevated Mammootty’s profile as an actor of immense range but also cemented Adoor’s place as one of India’s most influential auteurs. Their reunion now is not merely nostalgic. It signals the possibility of a new cinematic milestone at a time when Malayalam cinema is experiencing a renaissance in storytelling and experimentation.     Speaking to Manorama News, Adoor revealed that Mammootty was the only actor he visualised while developing the script. He said that the central character’s emotional and psychological contours aligned perfectly with Mammootty’s abilities. He also confirmed that the rest of the casting process is underway. While he refused to share details about the film’s theme, setting or production schedule, his brief comments were enough to catalyse excitement across cinephile circles.Adoor is known for maintaining absolute secrecy around his films until they are ready to be unveiled. His methodical process, shaped by a lifetime of rigorous filmmaking, often involves lengthy research and writing phases, minimalistic production design, and precise creative control. The pairing with Mammootty suggests a project rooted in character depth and thematic weight rather than spectacle, which aligns with the director’s signature style.Mammootty continues a remarkable creative streakFor Mammootty, this announcement comes at a time when he is experiencing one of the most dynamic phases of his career. The actor, who has remained consistently prolific across decades, has recently embraced experimental roles that challenge the boundaries of mainstream storytelling. His home banner, Mammootty Kampany, has produced titles like Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Rorschach and Kaathal The Core, all of which earned critical acclaim and expanded conversations around the evolution of Malayalam cinema.The star will next be seen in Kalamkaval, which arrives in theatres on December 5. With a slate that combines commercial appeal with creative bravery, Mammootty continues to navigate a unique space where his mass stardom coexists with his commitment to performance driven cinema.                The confirmation of his reunion with Adoor adds a new layer of excitement to his upcoming slate. Industry insiders expect the project to travel across festival circuits once completed, given Adoor’s longstanding presence at global film festivals and his contribution to the international footprint of Malayalam cinema.As fans wait for more information, one thing is clear. This collaboration is not just another announcement. It is a momentous return to a creative partnership that shaped Malayalam cinema’s artistic identity. The combination of Adoor’s intellectual rigour and Mammootty’s transformative screen presence promises a film that carries both historical significance and contemporary relevance.Also Read: Rajisha Vijayan Makes a Surprise Entry Into Mammootty’s Kalamkaval Ahead of Release。    

    Foreign tourists enjoy hotpot while watching a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance inside a former air-raid shelter at the Underground City hotpot restaurant in Liangjiang New Area of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, July 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)Despite outdoor temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Australian tourist Roy Rostand was enjoying hotpot at a restaurant without air conditioning, apparently feeling no discomfort from the summer heat.
The answer to his comfort lies in the restaurant's unlikely location. This hotpot restaurant, named Underground City, is hidden inside a former air-raid shelter, one of the city's distinctive spaces offering natural coolness.
"It's amazing that the restaurant stays so cool even in scorching summer heat," Rostand said. "Chongqing has given me the chance to experience something I can't find in Australia."
Chongqing has long been dubbed one of China's "furnace cities" for its sweltering, humid summers. In July alone, the city endured 26 consecutive days of high heat, with temperatures breaching 40 degrees Celsius for a full week and topping out at a scorching 41.6 degrees.
The blazing heat, however, has failed to dampen the enthusiasm of global travelers. According to the Chongqing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, more than 610,000 inbound and outbound trips by foreign nationals were recorded at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in the first half of the year, marking an 86-percent surge year on year. The top five source countries were Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.
European travelers proved to be a standout growth driver. Data from Trip.com shows that as of July 21, inbound travel bookings from Europe to Chongqing for this summer season climbed by over 40 percent year on year, while scenic spot ticket orders surged by 214.7 percent and activity-based bookings rocketed by a staggering 6,900 percent.
Thanks to China's visa-free policies and other travel facilitation measures, Chongqing is rapidly gaining traction as a go-to "coolcation" hotspot for international visitors. Creative cool-off spaces, diverse travel experiences and comprehensive summer services have all contributed to its rising appeal.
UNDERGROUND COOL
Chongqing's summer cooling secrets were first found underground. Since the late 1930s, the city has carved thousands of air-raid shelters into its mountainous terrain.
Once serving as sanctuaries for civilians during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, these spaces have now been repurposed as hotpot restaurants, tea houses and venues for Sichuan Opera performances, providing both refreshing coolness and preserving the city's living memories.
"The temperature inside the shelters remains around 25 degrees Celsius all year round, making them natural cool retreats," explained Wang Jing, marketing director of Underground City.
"We serve more than 300 tables a day on weekends," she added. "Right now, about one in every six diners is from overseas. And we're seeing more and more visitors from Southeast Asia and Europe."
Annika, a tourist from Germany, revealed that the restaurant has gone viral on overseas social media platforms. "We were attracted not only by this unique way of escaping the summer heat, but also by the opportunity to dine in a place filled with history and culture," she said.
CHASING CHILL
On August 1, Chongqing issued an orange heat alert. At a water park in its Fuling District, 10 tonnes of industrial ice were dumped directly into the wave pool. Half-submerged in the refreshing water, visitors could splash around or even play mahjong at custom-made tables in the pool.
This unique summer cooling scene has attracted coverage from mainstream media in countries including Russia and Canada, with overseas outlets reportedly dubbing it the most intriguing summer spectacle in China this year.
At Chongqing Xingrui international travel service, inquiries from cross-border travelers hailing from hot and humid regions such as Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia have risen notably in recent weeks.
Peng Hengcong, head of the travel agency, said they have rolled out themed tour products, including "cool retreats in the mountains" and "gorge rapids adventures," tailored to overseas visitors seeking summer cooling experiences. These products cover areas with higher altitudes or rich water systems in Chongqing, with the highlight being a "23°C summer" experience.
Luo Zibai, an expert with the China Tourism Academy, believes that Chongqing's sustained popularity among travelers lies in its ability to fully leverage its distinctive strengths and develop differentiated tourism products that offer a broad spectrum of experiences.
URBAN REFUGE
Chongqing is weaving a citywide "cooling network" -- ranging from shopping malls to public facilities, and from indoor spaces to outdoor areas.
At a shopping mall called The Ring in the city, visitors are greeted not by endless rows of shops, but by a lush indoor rainforest. With misting systems and carefully designed lighting, the mall keeps the temperature at about 21 degrees Celsius, creating a cool, dreamy summer escape.
"I like Chongqing a lot because it has its own character," said Bilal Badri, who was visiting from the Netherlands. "The way nature and the city's landscape blend together here is just perfect."
The cool experience extends beyond the mall. In the Mountain City Alley historic district, a 400-meter-long pedestrian walkway has been transformed into a "cooling corridor," where misting systems and shaded areas reduce the perceived temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius.
In addition, since July 8, Chongqing's rail transit system has set up cooling zones in 158 metro stations, offering free air-conditioned spaces and heat-relief supplies to residents and tourists alike.
"Chongqing's creative and thoughtful ways to help people beat the summer heat are impressive. It's really interesting to discover these unique experiences," said Alexandra, a Romanian tourist. "This time I didn't stay long enough to explore more of the city, and I'm planning to come back in the near future."
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