Dharma Productions to co-produce maiden Malayalam film Odiyan: The Age of Illusion

Based on a 19th century folklore, the film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, and will be helmed by Rahul Sadasivan.

By Our Correspondent

Dharma Productions has partnered with Prithviraj Productions for Odiyan: The Age of Illusion, a Malayalam-language period film rooted in the folklore of 19th-century Kerala. Odiyan marks Dharma’s maiden foray into Malayalam cinema. The project is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam, and stars Manju Warrier and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

The film is centred on the legend of the Odiyan, a shape-shifting figure from Kerala’s oral traditions. Set against a matriarchal household, the story explores fear, belief, and deception, blending mythology with psychological drama.

Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon, the film marks Dharma Productions’ first venture into Malayalam cinema. The collaboration reflects a growing trend of cross-industry partnerships, as production houses look to expand into other regional markets with strong storytelling traditions.

Karan Johar, producer, Dharma Productions, said, “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. When this story came to us, with Rahul’s vision and Prithviraj at the helm, it felt like exactly the right moment. 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, actor, producer, Prithviraj Productions, 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. 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. Having Dharma Productions come on board as our partner brings together two shared visions and I’m excited to see how it takes shape.”

Rahul Sadasivan, whose films have consistently drawn from Kerala’s folklore and atmospheric storytelling, takes on his most ambitious project yet with this film. The makers aim to present the Odiyan legend on a larger cinematic scale while retaining its cultural specificity.

“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. After the love and recognition audiences gave my previous films, this project represents an opportunity to tell a story on a much larger canvas while staying true to the themes that have always interested me. I’m excited to collaborate with Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions in bringing this vision to life,” said Sadasivan,

Odiyan: The Age of Illusion is slated for a theatrical release. This isn’t the first film to be made on the legend. In 2018 writer Harikrishnan and director V.A. Shrikumar Menon had made a feature on the Odiyan legend starring Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, and. Prakash Raj.