Dharma Productions Makes Malayalam Debut With Folklore Epic ‘Odiyan’
MUMBAI – Filmmaker Karan Johar on June 16 announced that Dharma Productions is entering Malayalam cinema with the upcoming film ‘Odiyan’, starring actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and actress Manju Warrier.
Subtitled ‘Odiyan: The Age of Illusion’, the film is rooted in the folklore and cultural mythology of 19th-century Kerala. It is directed by filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan and produced by Karan Johar, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla, Dharma Productions CEO Apoorva Mehta, and Prithviraj Productions Director Supriya Menon.
Johar announced the project on Instagram and shared the film’s first look, saying Dharma Productions was proud to make its Malayalam cinema debut with the project.
According to the makers, the film is based on the Kerala legend of the Odiyan, a shape-shifter whose arrival at a powerful matriarchal household sets off a conflict between truth and illusion.
Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran 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 honors 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.”
Johar said he has long admired Malayalam cinema and viewed the project as the right opportunity for Dharma Productions to enter the industry.
“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.”
Director Rahul Sadasivan said folklore remains a powerful source of storytelling because it exists 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.” (IANS)
