.png)
Bramayugam (2024) — Movie Overview
Bramayugam is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language period folk horror thriller film written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan. It blends myth, folklore, horror and psychological tension into a unique, atmospheric cinematic experience. (Wikipedia)
🎬 Basic Details
Title: Bramayugam
Director & Writer: Rahul Sadasivan
Dialogues: T. D. Ramakrishnan
Producers: Chakravarthy Ramachandra, S. Sashikanth (YNOT Studios & Night Shift Studios)
Cast: Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, Amalda Liz, Manikandan R. Achari (Wikipedia)
Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal
Music: Christo Xavier
Editing: Shafique Mohamed Ali
Runtime: ~139 minutes
Language: Malayalam (also dubbed/released in several other Indian languages)
Format: Black-and-white visual aesthetic (Wikipedia)
📖 Plot Summary
Set in 17th–18th-century Malabar, the story follows Thevan (Arjun Ashokan), a folk singer from a marginalized caste fleeing oppression. Lost in a dense forest, he encounters a decaying ancestral mansion (“mana”) owned by Kodumon Potti (Mammootty). Initially welcomed for his singing, Thevan soon uncovers dark secrets embedded within the house. The Potti is revealed to be harboring a supernatural being known as a chathan (a folkloric goblin/demon), leading to betrayal, power struggles and a fight for survival.
👻 Themes & Style
Folk Horror & Myth: The narrative intertwines Kerala’s mythic folklore, sacred rituals and dark magic, anchoring horror in cultural context rather than cheap jump scares
Psychological Tension: Much of the fear stems from atmosphere — claustrophobic settings, isolation, and slowly unraveling mysteries.
Social Commentary: Beyond supernatural elements, the film engages with themes of power, caste hierarchy, fate, and exploitation, lending it deeper layers beyond traditional horror.
Black-and-White Cinematography: A bold artistic choice that enhances mood and period feel, contributing to the eerie, timeless quality of the story.
🎠Performances & Reception
Acting: Mammootty’s portrayal of Kodumon Potti—a mysterious, morally ambiguous figure—was widely praised and won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. The performances of Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan were also highly regarded.
Critical Response: Critics appreciated the film’s production design, soundscape, cinematography and its departure from mainstream horror tropes.
Box Office: It became one of the successful Malayalam films of 2024, grossing over ₹85 crore.
🧠Overall Impression
Bramayugam stands out as a thoughtful, atmospheric horror experience rooted in regional myth and historical texture. It’s less about jump scares and more about building a haunting mood and psychological depth, often drawing comparisons to films like Tumbbad for its folk horror sensibilities.
If you enjoy slow-burn horror with cultural depth and striking visuals, this film is often recommended as a standout in contemporary Indian cinema.
