Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has announced its first Malayalam film. The production house is joining hands with Prithviraj Productions to produce ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion.’
Dharma Productions has been a dominant force in Hindi cinema for decades. The banner has never produced a Malayalam film before. The collaboration between Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions will produce ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion,’ a sweeping epic rooted in the folklore and cultural mythology of 19th-century Kerala.
The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier and is aiming for a pan-Indian release across multiple languages including Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil.
Karan Johar shared the news on Instagram. He wrote: “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.”
Also Read: After objectification backlash, ‘Peddi’ extended version will release on June 17 with new Janhvi Kapoor scenes
The story
The film draws from one of Kerala’s oldest folk traditions. The film revolves around a terrifying shape-shifter whose fury descends on a powerful matriarchal household, setting off a battle between truth and illusion. The narrative revolves in 19th-century Kerala. It blends mythology, psychological tension, and folklore into a single cinematic canvas.
This will be the third major big-screen take on the Odiyan legend. A film by the same name was released earlier, starring Mohanlal and Manju Warrier. Rahul Sadasivan’s version is expected to take a fresh approach to the myth, with a new script and a darker folk horror sensibility.
The director: Rahul Sadasivan
The film is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for ‘Bhoothakaalam,’ ‘Bramayugam,’ and ‘Diés Irae.’ All three films earned wide critical recognition for their controlled atmosphere and rooted storytelling. Sadasivan has built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Malayalam horror cinema.
He said: “Folklore has always been a powerful source of fear because it exists in the space between memory, belief, and imagination. With ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion,’ I wanted to revisit one of Kerala’s most enduring legends and bring it to life through a cinematic language rooted in atmosphere, mystery, and emotion.”
Sadasivan added that this project is his most ambitious one yet. He said the backing of Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions gives the story the canvas it deserves.
The producers behind the film
The film is a production of Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon. Supriya Menon produces under the Prithviraj Productions banner. Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta join as producers from the Dharma side.
Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, spoke about the move into Malayalam cinema. He said: “Malayalam cinema represents everything we respect in storytelling. Fearless creative ambition, deep cultural rootedness, and a connection with audiences that is genuinely earned. For Dharma, foraying into Malayalam cinema is a natural and exciting expansion.”
Mehta added that the collaboration with Prithviraj Productions and Rahul Sadasivan signals where the company heads.
Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier on board
Prithviraj Sukumaran is both the lead actor and the co-producer through Prithviraj Productions. He spoke about the significance of the subject. He said: “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 added that bringing this story to screen in a way that respects its mythology has been close to his heart. He said having Dharma Productions on board brings together two aligning visions.
Manju Warrier also leads the cast. She previously starred in the 2018 film ‘Odiyan,’ which featured Mohanlal in the title role. Her casting in this new version ties her to the Odiyan legend for the second time.
Supriya Menon said: “As a company that has been consistently trying to improve Malayalam cinema, we are happy to welcome Dharma Productions into the disruptive world of Malayalam cinema.”
Pan-Indian ambitions
The film targets a wide audience across India. It will release in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. This multi-language plan positions ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion’ as a pan-Indian theatrical event.
Karan Johar said he has been an admirer of Malayalam cinema for a long time. He said: “The craft, the courage, the way its filmmakers trust their audiences. It is something I have watched with genuine awe.”
A release date has not been announced yet.