Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is stepping into Malayalam cinema. The banner has joined hands with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s production house for Odiyan: The Age of Illusion, an epic rooted in 19th-century Kerala folklore.
The film stars Manju Warrier and Prithviraj Sukumaran and is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for Bhootkalam. It follows a terrifying shape-shifter from Kerala legend, the Odiyan, as its fury descends on a powerful matriarchal household, sparking a battle between truth and illusion.
Karan Johar on the collaboration:“I’ve admired Malayalam cinema for a long time. The craft, the courage, the way its filmmakers trust their audiences — I’ve watched it with genuine awe. When this story came to us, with Rahul’s vision and Prithviraj at the helm, it felt like the right moment. Odiyan: The Age of Illusion deserves the biggest possible canvas and I’m glad we get to give it just that.”
Prithviraj Sukumaran on the myth:“The Odiyan isn’t just a myth, it’s a piece of Kerala’s identity. It’s travelled through generations and holds a powerful place in our cultural consciousness. Bringing this story to screen in a way that honours its mythology and culture has been a pursuit very close to my heart.”