Karan Johar has spent decades shaping Bollywood, from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to building Dharma Productions into one of India’s most recognisable film banners. On June 16, 2026, he officially stepped into Malayalam cinema with Odiyan: The Age of Illusion. Malayalam cinema has earned widespread acclaim in recent years for its storytelling and willingness to experiment with genre and form. Now, one of Bollywood’s most recognisable producers is entering that space with a project rooted in Kerala’s folklore and history.
Dharma Productions is joining hands with Prithviraj Productions, bringing together two major banners from different industries for the first time. The film is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam. His involvement alone signals the scale and ambition of the project. His involvement has generated particular interest because he has emerged as one of Malayalam cinema’s most distinctive voices in horror and psychological storytelling. His previous films, Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam, were praised for blending folklore, atmosphere, and social themes, making him a natural fit for a project rooted in one of Kerala’s most enduring legends.
Prithviraj Sukumaran and Manju Warrier lead the cast, while the film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon. Johar unveiled the first look on Instagram, featuring a dark and mysterious image with the skeletal remains of a small horned creature, which immediately sparked discussion online.
The film is set in 19th-century Kerala and draws from one of the state’s oldest folklore legends, the Odiyan. An Odiyan is a shape-shifter, a feared figure from Kerala’s folk stories who could change form and create illusions. These stories have been passed down through generations and continue to hold a strong place in the region’s cultural imagination.
In the film, the arrival of this shape-shifter tears through a powerful household run by women, leading to a battle between reality and illusion. Rahul Sadasivan has described the project as his most ambitious film to date, a notable statement from the filmmaker behind Bramayugam.
Johar has often spoken about his admiration for Malayalam cinema and its approach to storytelling. The producer has praised the industry’s willingness to take creative risks and trust audiences with unconventional narratives. The collaboration with Rahul Sadasivan and Prithviraj Sukumaran appears to have provided the right opportunity for Dharma Productions to enter the Malayalam film space.
Many viewers will remember the 2018 film Odiyan, which starred Mohanlal and Manju Warrier. However, Odiyan: The Age of Illusion is neither a sequel nor a remake. Instead, it is an entirely new story inspired by the same folklore legend. Manju Warrier’s involvement in both films provides an interesting connection between the two projects.
Odiyan: The Age of Illusion will release in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, giving the film a true pan-India reach. Beyond the film itself, the announcement reflects the growing collaboration between different Indian film industries. Dharma Productions’ entry into Malayalam cinema highlights the increasing national appeal of Malayalam storytelling and the industry’s growing influence within the wider Indian film landscape.
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