In a significant move that expands its creative horizons, Dharma Productions is set to make its Malayalam debut with Odiyan – The Age of Illusion, a 19th-century folklore horror thriller headlined by Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film marks a prestigious collaboration between Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions, bringing together one of Bollywood’s most influential banners and one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest stars.
Helming the project is Rahul Sadasivan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the critically celebrated horror films Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam. Joining Prithviraj in a pivotal role is Manju Warrier, adding further strength to a project that has already generated considerable excitement.
The announcement poster offers a haunting glimpse into the film’s mysterious world, featuring a skeletal figure curled inside an ornate antique mirror. The unsettling imagery evokes themes of dark sorcery, shapeshifting, and ancient folklore, perfectly reflecting the mythology that forms the backbone of the story.
Drawing from Kerala’s legendary Odiyan folklore, the film explores the tales of feared shapeshifters believed to possess black magic and the ability to transform into animals under the cover of darkness. Known for his atmospheric storytelling, Rahul Sadasivan appears poised to reinterpret the myth through a distinctly chilling and immersive horror lens.
Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon, Odiyan – The Age of Illusion is being mounted on a grand scale and is slated for a multilingual release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. Production is expected to commence soon, with the film eyeing a release next year.