Kalamkaval
50ms
Prepare yourself for a gripping cinematic experience! Kalamkaval, a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller, arrives with a powerful punch. Directed by debutant Jithin K. Jose, who also co-penned the screenplay with Jishnu Sreekumar, this film is produced under the esteemed banner of Mammootty Kampany. Headlining the cast are the formidable Mammootty and the intense Vinayakan, supported by Gibin Gopinath, Gayatri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan, and Shruti Ramachandran in pivotal supporting roles.
Kalamkaval stormed into theatres on December 5, 2025, and has since garnered widespread acclaim. Critics and audiences alike have lauded the film, specifically praising the stellar performances of its cast, with particular commendation for Mammootty and Vinayakan. The direction, cinematography, music, and writing have all been met with resounding approval.
Step into the early 2000s in Kerala, where Officer Jayakrishnan is tasked with uncovering the truth behind a disturbing communal violence that erupted in the state's southern region. His investigation takes a sharp turn as he discovers the riots stemmed from a tragic misunderstanding involving a girl's elopement.
But Jayakrishnan's pursuit of justice doesn't end there. As he delves deeper, he finds himself entangled in a chilling pattern: a series of women have vanished without a trace. The heart of Kalamkaval lies in his relentless efforts to unravel the mystery of their disappearances.
The film features a stellar cast, including Mammootty as Stanley Das and Vinayakan as SI Jayakrishnan of the Special Branch, Kerala Police. They are joined by Gibin Gopinath as Anand, Rajisha Vijayan as Divya, Shruti Ramachandran as Deepa, and Gayatri Arun as Shiny. The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Azees Nedumangad, Aravind S K, Kunchan, Biju Pappan, Malavika Menon, Bibin Perumbillikunnel, Harisankar S G, RJ Sooraj, and Dhanya Ananya.
The journey of Kalamkaval began with reports of Mammootty's next project surfacing on May 25, 2024. Directed by Jithin K. Jose, marking his directorial debut after his writing contributions to "Kurup," the film boasts a talented technical crew, including cinematographer Jomon T John and music director Sushin Shyam. By September 2024, Vinayakan was confirmed for a significant role, reuniting him with Mammootty after their memorable collaboration in "Big B." Interestingly, Vinayakan's role was initially envisioned for Prithviraj Sukumaran, who, due to his commitments, suggested Mammootty for either of the roles. Ultimately, Mammootty himself recommended Vinayakan for the part. Filming commenced on September 25, 2024, under the working title "Production No. VII," the seventh venture for Mammootty Kampany. The screenplay, co-written by Jishnu Sreekumar and Jithin K. Jose, was brought to life with cinematography by Faisal Ali and editing by Praveen Prabhakar. Wayfarer Films is handling the distribution in Kerala.
The official title, Kalamkaval, was unveiled on February 15, 2025, accompanied by the intriguing tagline, "the venom beneath." Mujeeb Majeed composed the music, while Action Santhosh helmed the action sequences. Mammootty himself hinted at experimenting with novel roles in an interview with John Brittas.
Filming kicked off with a muhurth puja ceremony on September 25, 2024, in Nagercoil. Mammootty joined the sets on October 2, 2024, and the shoot was efficiently wrapped up by November 9, 2024, with extensive filming across Tamil Nadu. The film introduces several actresses, including Rajisha Vijayan in her first collaboration with Mammootty, and Gayatri Arun, returning to work with him after "One."
The film's marketing campaign included the release of its first look on February 16, 2025, followed by the second look on April 20, 2025. The official teaser dropped on August 28, 2025, and a pre-release teaser captivated audiences on December 1, 2025.
Kalamkaval received a UA 16+ certification from the CBFC. Its theatrical release was initially slated for November 27, 2025, but was subsequently moved to December 5, 2025. The post-theatrical digital rights have been acquired by SonyLIV.
Prepare for a film that promises suspense, drama, and unforgettable performances. Kalamkaval is here.
Kalamkaval is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by debutant Jithin K. Jose, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jishnu Sreekumar. The film is produced by Mammootty Kampany and stars Mammootty and Vinayakan along with Gibin Gopinath, Gayatri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan and Shruti Ramachandran in supporting roles.
Kalamkaval was released in theatres on 5 December 2025 and received positive reviews from critics and audience alike, who praise the cast performances (particularly of Mammootty and Vinayakan), direction, cinematography, music and writing.
== Plot ==
Set in the early 2000s in Kerala, Officer Jayakrishnan is assigned the duty of finding out the real reason behind a communal violence that happened in the southern part of the state. His investigation eventually finds out that the riot happened because of a certain misunderstanding regarding a girl eloping with someone.
On further investigation, Jayakrishnan is dragged into a chain where he finds out about a lot of women who have gone missing in a similar pattern. His efforts to find out what really happened to these women forms the core of the story.
== Cast ==
Mammootty as Stanley Das
Vinayakan as SI Jayakrishnan (Special Branch, Kerala Police)
Gibin Gopinath as Anand
Rajisha Vijayan as Divya
Shruti Ramachandran as Deepa
Gayatri Arun as Shiny
Azees Nedumangad as SI Babu Vijayan
Aravind S K
Kunchan as Mathew
Biju Pappan as SP Thomas
Malavika Menon as Shruthi
Bibin Perumbillikunnel
Harisankar S G
RJ Sooraj
Dhanya Ananya
== Production ==
=== Development ===
Reports for Mammootty's upcoming film came on May 25, 2024 soon after the release of his film Turbo. It will be directed by Jithin K. Jose in his directorial debut, who previously worked as a writer in the film Kurup. Other details on crew that included were cinematographer Jomon T John and music director Sushin Shyam. In September 2024, Vinayakan was reported to play a prominent role in the film that brings together Mammootty and the former after a while, and was last acted together in Big B (2007). As per reports, Vinayakan's role was originally meant for Prithviraj Sukumaran. Roby Varghese Raj's inclusion was also reported in 2024. Filming commenced on 25 September 2025, under the working title Production No. VII that marks the seventh production venture of Mammootty Kampany. The screenplay is co-written by Jishnu Sreekumar and Jithin K. Jose himself. The yet to be titled film's technical team after changes included cinematographer Faisal Ali and editor Praveen Prabhakar. Wayfarer Films will distribute the film in Kerala.
The official title Kalamkaval was announced by makers on 15 February 2025, that has a tagline “the venom beneath.” The film would also have music composer Mujeeb Majeed while the action sequences are choreographed by stunt director Action Santhosh. Last year in an interview with John Brittas, Mammoootty said that the film would be another attempt at experimenting with roles he had not done before.
Director Jithin K Jose revealed that actor Prithviraj Sukumaran was initially considered for the role that Vinayakan has played. When Jithin narrated the script to Prithviraj, he suggested that in either of the roles, Mammootty could fit in. However, due to Prithviraj’s busy schedule with L2 : Empuraan and other films during that time, Jithin looked for other options. It was then later Mammootty who recommended to give the role to Vinayakan.
=== Filming and casting ===
Filming started with a muhurth puja ceremony on 25 September 2024 in Nagercoil. Mammoooty joined the set on 2 October 2024. The film completed its shoot in 9 November 2024. It was extensively across locations in Tamil Nadu.
The film will have several actresses and would introduce mostly newcomers. Rajisha Vijayan is one of the leading lady in her first association with Mammootty. Gayathri Arun is another female lead in her second collaboration with Mammootty after One.
== Music ==
=== Tracklisting ===
== Marketing ==
The first look of the film was released on 16 February 2025. The second look was released on 20 April 2025. The official teaser was released on 28 August 2025. A pre-release teaser was released on 1 December 2025.
== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
The film received a UA 16+ certification from CBFC. The film's theatrical release date was originally going to be November 27, 2025. However, it was then postponed to December 5, 2025.
=== Home Media ===
The post theatrical digital rights of the film is acquired by SonyLIV.
== Response ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Kalamkaval at IMDb
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