Karan Johar Enters Malayalam Cinema With Spine-Chilling Folklore, Prithviraj Sukumaran To Lead ‘Odiyan’
Karan Johar has announced Dharma Productions’ entry into Malayalam cinema with ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion’, a folklore-inspired pan-India thriller starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The massive expansion of one of India’s most prominent production houses has officially begun! Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar has announced that Dharma Productions is taking a leap into the Malayalam film industry. In a major collaboration with Prithviraj Productions, the banner will back a brand-new movie titled ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion’. Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier in the lead roles, the ambitious project is planned as a pan-Indian release, hitting screens in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil.
Helming this massive venture is acclaimed filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan. Known for his mastery over mind-bending horror films and eerie storytelling, with previous works including ‘Bhoothakaalam’, ‘Bramayugam’, and ‘Dies Irae’, Rahul Sadasivan is stepping up for what is being described as his most ambitious project yet.
Set against the rustic and haunting backdrop of 19th-century Kerala, the film draws heavily from the region’s rich cultural mythology. The plot centres on a terrifying shape-shifter from a local Kerala legend. According to the makers, this entity's fury descends upon a powerful matriarchal household, ultimately setting off a gripping battle between truth and illusion.
Backing this cinematic universe is a powerhouse team of producers: Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon. While a specific release date has not yet been disclosed – teased only as "coming soon" to cinemas – the announcement was accompanied by a striking poster revealing the title alongside the primary cast and crew.
Taking to social media to share his excitement alongside the poster, Karan Johar posted: "We at @dharmamovies are taking our first step into the world of Malayalam cinema, and I am proud to announce that we have the best partners to do it with. Prithviraj, we've come such a long way with multiple collaborations behind us and hopefully many more ahead of us too."
Praising his director and the stellar cast, Karan Johar added: "It gives us great pride to announce our film - Odiyan, directed by the supremely talented @rahulsadasivan_. His knack for eerie storytelling rooted in folklore is a feat in this age of cinema. Bringing this to life on screen is the exceptional @manju.warrier & of course, our favourite Prithviraj himself. Coming soon!"
In an official statement detailing his passion for the industry, Karan Johar revealed, “I have been a great admirer of Malayalam cinema for a long time, and have always wanted to be part of that world. The craft, the courage, the way its filmmakers trust their audiences - it is something I have watched with genuine awe." Expressing that this project felt like exactly the right moment to enter the market, he concluded, "Odiyan: The Age of Illusion is the kind of film that deserves the biggest possible canvas, and I am glad we get to give it just that.”
Prithviraj Sukumaran also shared his profound connection to the subject matter, stating, “The Odiyan is not just a myth, it is a piece of Kerala's identity, a legend that has travelled through generations and continues to hold a powerful place in our cultural consciousness." He noted that bringing this story to the screen in a way that honors its mythology and the culture it comes from has been a pursuit very close to his heart.
For the unversed, this isn't the first time the Malayalam industry has explored this specific legend. The title ‘Odiyan’ was previously used for a 2018 movie led by Mohanlal, which also starred Manju Warrier. That iteration earned Rs 54 crore worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics.
Now, with Dharma's backing and Rahul Sadasivan's dark vision, audiences are gearing up for an entirely new cinematic spectacle!
