Dharma Productions Forays Into Malayalam Cinema With Prithviraj Sukumaran, Rahul Sadasivan’s Odiyan: The Age Of Illusion

Karan

Johar has announced that Dharma Productions is officially stepping into Malayalam cinema with Rahul Sadasivan’s upcoming film Odiyan: The Age of Illusion. The project stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier in lead roles and will be released as a pan-Indian film across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada languages. The announcement marks a collaboration between Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions. The film is based on a folklore-inspired shape-shifter legend from Kerala and explores the story between illusion and reality within a household.

Dharma Productions Enters Malayalam Cinema With Odiyan: The Age Of Illusion

The announcement was accompanied by a poster revealing the title, principal cast and crew. The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier in lead roles. Sharing a note about the upcoing film, Prithviraj Sukumaran described the Odiyan legend as an integral part of Kerala’s cultural identity. He mentioned that the myth has been passed down through generations and continues to hold a strong place in local folklore. He mentioned. "It is a legend that has travelled through generations and continues to hold a powerful place in our cultural consciousness. Bringing this story to the screen in a way that honours its mythology and the culture it comes from, has been a pursuit very close to my heart."

Sharing his thoughts on social media, Karan Johar expressed his admiration for Malayalam cinema. He mentioned the industry’s craftsmanship, storytelling, and connection with audiences. He mentioned that collaborating with Rahul Sadasivan and Prithviraj Sukumaran felt like the right opportunity to enter this space.

Rahul Sadasivan’s Most Ambitious Film Yet

Rahul Sadasivan, known for acclaimed films like Bhoothakalam, Bramayugam and more recently Dies Irae, is set to helm what is being described as his most ambitious project to date. With Dharma Productions joining hands, the film is expected to receive a larger production scale and bigger reach.

It is worth mentioning that the title Odiyan has previously been used for another Malayalam film starring Manju Warrier and Mohanlal. Released in 2018 the supernatural fantasy drama directed by VA Shrikumar Menon in his feature film debut and written by Harikrishnan. Odiyan received mixed reviews from critics, and went on to become a top grosser. The film was praised for Mohanlal's powerful performance, music and action sequences. It was based on the legend of the Odiyan clan from Kerala folklore men believed to possess shapeshifting abilities and the power to take animal forms.