Indian paranormal thriller 'Vadakkan' directed by Sajeed A is all set to hit theatres soon. The movie, produced by Offbeet Studios, went on to win critical acclaim at various film festivals and has won two major laurels. The film starring Kishore, Shruthy Menon and Merin Philip, was an official selection at Germany’s Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) as well as America’s Echelon Studios International Film Festival in Los Angeles last year.

The film was also screened at the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Gala screenings at the Fantastic Pavilion. It was again an official selection at the Abruzzo Horror Film Festival in L’Aquila, Italy, and at the 78th Festival Internazionale del Cinema di Salerno.

The script and dialogues, penned by Unni R, are brought to life through the lens of Japanese cinematographer Keiko Nakahara, with a hauntingly evocative score by music director Bijibal. Acclaimed sound designer Resul Pookutty is also part of the project. 

The film marks the first chapter in a gripping trilogy, which also stars Maala Parvathi. The makers released the film's first look poster recently, offering a tantalising glimpse of a mystical character destined to leave moviegoers in awe. “Look closely at the first-look poster, and you’ll feel it—it doesn’t just sit there; it speaks. It whispers its secrets, pulling you in, daring you to look deeper,” wrote the makers on Instagram.

Kishore, renowned for his stellar performances across various languages, takes on the role of a paranormal investigator. Approached to unravel a series of brutal murders on a reality TV show, he uncovers dark secrets tied to an ancient cult ritual that dates back to the 800-year-old Indus Valley Civilization. As he delves deeper, he comes face-to-face with a deadly spirit from Dravidian folklore, plunging him into a world filled with terrifying revelations. The film will hit theatres on March 7.

Director Sajeed A shared his vision for the first look poster. “We wanted the first look of Vadakkan to be more than just a visual—it had to be an immersive experience. The challenge was simple yet profound: How do you make an image talk? That’s exactly what we set out to achieve. The idea was to craft an image deeply rooted in Kerala, capturing the gradual descent of a paranormal investigator into a mythical rabbit hole—where reality blurs and the supernatural takes hold. We wanted to evoke curiosity and unease, making audiences feel like they’ve stepped into the unknown before they’ve even seen the film,” he said.