Vadakkan

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Vadakkan
Vadakkan Film.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySajeed A.
Screenplay by Unni R.
Story bySajeed A.
Produced by
  • Jaideep Singh
  • Bhavya Nidhi Sharma
  • Kanupriya Gupta
Starring
CinematographyKeiko Nakahara
Edited bySooraj E. S.
Music by Bijibal
Production
company
Offbeet Studios
Distributed byDream Big Films
Release dates
  • April 2024 (2024-04)(Brussels)
  • March 7, 2025 (2025-03-07)(India)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹3.65 crore [1]

Vadakkan is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language supernatural thriller film directed by Sajeed A. and written by Unni R. It stars Kishore, Shruthy Menon and Merin Philip in the lead roles. It is produced by Jaideep Singh and Bhavya Nidhi Sharma under the banner Offbeet Studios. Keiko Nakahara handles the cinematography and Sooraj E. S. edits the film. Bijibal composed the songs and background score. [2] Sound designed by Resul Pookutty [3] and Robin Kunjukutty did the re-recording mix.

Contents

Vadakkan was an official selection at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival and Salerno Film Festival. [4] It was screened at Marché du Film on 21 May 2024. [5] Vadakkan was released theatrically on 7 March 2025. [6]

Plot

The story revolves around a paranormal investigator who approached to unravel a series of brutal murders on a reality television show, he uncovers dark secrets tied to an ancient cult ritual that dates back to the Indus Valley Civilisation of more than 4000 years ago. As he delves deeper, he comes face-to-face with a deadly spirit from Dravidian folklore, which plunges him into a world filled with terrifying revelations.

Cast

Music

Vadakkan
Soundtrack album by
Recorded2024–25
Genre Feature film soundtrack
LanguageMalayalam
Label Offbeet Music

The score for Vadakkan was composed by Bijibal. The soundtrack was composed by Bijibal and Zeb Bangash. The first single Kettingo was released on 17 February 2025. [7] The second single Mayyath Rap released on 1 March 2025 [8] and the third single Rang Likha released on 5 March 2025. [9]

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Kettingo" B. K. Harinarayanan Bijibal Bhadra Rajin4:48
2."Mayyath Rap"MC CouperBijibalMC Couper, Greeshma Alex2:34
3."Rang Likha" Shellee Zeb Bangash, BijibalZeb Bangash2:11

Release

Theatrical

Vadakkan was initially screened at Marché du Film, Cannes on 21 May 2024. [5] The official trailer of the film was released on 21 February 2025. [10] The film was released in theatres on 7 March 2025. [11]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of Vadakkan's Malayalam, English, Tamil, Kannada versions were acquired by Amazon Prime Video [12] and Telugu and Tamil versions by Aha. [13]

Reception

Vadakkan received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

Anjana George of The Times of India gave 3/5 and wrote "It is a one-time watch for its technical brilliance and some genuinely eerie moments. But with stronger writing and a deeper exploration of the socio-cultural balancing act rooted in the caste history that Theyyam represents, it could have been so much more." [14] Shilpa Nair Anand of The Hindu wrote "It is the kind of film that one has to pay close attention to because it is not a simple horror film with typical thrills, chills and sound effects. Which, by the way, there is plenty of in the film." [2]

Accolades

References

  1. "All March releases, except Empuraan, flopped at box office, as per producers' association's figures". The Hindu . 27 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Nair Anand, Shilpa (24 March 2025). "Malayalam movie 'Vadakkan' explores the paranormal rooted in Kerala". The Hindu . Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  3. Mirza, Almas (3 March 2025). "Resul Pookutty shares how he created an immersive horror experience in Vadakkan; says, 'I'm not scared of AI; maybe it will enable me to do a lot more precise work'". Moneycontrol . Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 "The first look poster of the Malayalam movie 'Vadakkan' is out". The Hindu . 7 February 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Malayalam film 'Vadakkan' makes historic debut at Cannes's Marché du Film Fantastic Pavilion". OnManorama . 19 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  6. "Malayalam horror-thriller 'Vadakkan' trailer out; film set for March 7 release". Mathrubhumi . 21 February 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  7. Panikker, Rohit (19 February 2025). "Vadakkan: Kettingo Is A Folk Song Introducing Us To The Eerie World Of This Supernatural Thriller". Times Now . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  8. "'Vadakkan' releases 'Mayyath Rap' as it gears up for March release". Mathrubhumi . 1 March 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  9. "Internationally acclaimed singer Zeb Bangash to make her Malayalam debut in 'Vadakkan'". Mathrubhumi . 6 March 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  10. P., Divya (21 February 2025). "Vadakkan trailer out: Malayalam's first paranormal film takes you to an unholy land with Kishore, Shruthy Menon and Merin Philip". OTTPlay . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  11. "Vadakkan makers release new song, 'Mayyath Rap'". The New Indian Express . 1 March 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  12. "'Vadakkan' OTT: When and where to watch Malayalam cinema's first paranormal thriller". The Times of India . 11 May 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  13. Sundar, Anusha (6 June 2025). "Vadakkan out on OTT: Stream Kishore's supernatural thriller drama right now here". OTTPlay . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  14. George, Anjana (8 March 2025). "A one-time watch for its technical brilliance and some genuinely eerie moments". The Times of India . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  15. "Kishore and Shruthy Menon's Vadakkan wins Best Supernatural Thriller at Fright Night Film Fest". The New Indian Express . 30 September 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  16. "RED Movie Awards 2024". redmovieawards.com. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  17. "'Feminichi Fathima' wins Best Film Award at 48th Kerala Film Critics Award 2024". The New Indian Express . 15 April 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  18. "Brace for the supernatural: 'Vadakkan' first look teases a paranormal journey". Mathrubhumi . 4 February 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  19. K. B., Parvana (25 October 2024). "Shhh...'Vadakkan' is coming". The New Indian Express . Retrieved 15 July 2025.