As expected, director Rahul Sadasivan’s next film with star Prithviraj and Manju Warrier in leading roles is titled Odiyan (shapeshifter). A post on X by Prithviraj described the film as a “battle between truth and illusion unfurls soon.” He went on to add, “Presenting Odiyan - The Age Of Illusion. Written & Directed by Rahul Sadasivan. Starring Manju Warrier & Prithviraj Sukumaran. Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta & Supriya Menon.”
This will be Manju Warrier’s second film with the same title. She had acted in another Odiyan starring Mohanlal.
A press release noted that the film will be the first production for Dharma Productions in Malayalam. It is said to be an “epic rooted in the folklore and cultural mythology of 19th-century Kerala.” Rahul Sadasivan has so far directed Bhoothakaalam, Bramayugam, Diés Irae all in the horror genre apart from a debut film that dealt with sci-fi themes. The upcoming film stars Manju Warrier and Prithviraj Sukumaran and the rest of the cast in yet to be finalised.
Karan Johar, in the press note, 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 added, “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.”
Rahul Sadasivan too spoke about the film’s nature and said, “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.”