Malayalam filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan has announced his new project, Odiyan: The Age of Illusion, which also marks the entry of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions into Malayalam. The project, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier, is co-produced by Prithviraj Productions.

Rahul is thus adding yet another project to his oeuvre of horror movies – Bhoothakalam, Bramayugam, and Dies Irae. The filmmaker has cemented his position in Malayalam cinema with his fresh take on the genre, moving away from the tropes and exploring different shades of it in each of his movies.

As displayed in the eerie aesthetic of the first-look poster released on June 16, in Odiyan, he will be taking up the popular myth of the Odiyan, known as nocturnal beings and shape-shifters. The stories about Odiyan are part of Kerala’s regional folklore during the 19th century, especially in Palakkad and parts of Malabar. The film is said to be exploring one such tale of how an Odiyan’s fury falls upon a household.

Malayalam cinema has already explored the myth in the 2018-film Odiyan, directed by VA Shrikumar Menon, starring Mohanlal. Interestingly, Manju Warrier was part of that film as well.

It remains to be seen how Rahul will reinterpret the legendary folklore with his signature approach to folklorish horror, something which he successfully showcased in Bramayugam, starring Mammootty.

The multilingual film will release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.

Details about other members of the cast and crew are awaited.