Ananthan Kaadu
| Ananthan Kaadu | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jiyen Krishnakumar |
| Written by | Murali Gopy |
| Produced by | Gokulam Gopalan S Vinod Kumar |
| Starring | Arya Murali Gopy Indrans Sunil Vijayaraghavan Nikhila Vimal Regena Cassandrra Dev Mohan |
| Cinematography | S. Yuva |
| Edited by | Rohit V. S. Variyath |
| Music by | B Ajaneesh Loknath |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Dream Big Films (Kerala) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 157 minutes[2] |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Malayalam Tamil |
Ananthan Kaadu (transl. The Forest of Anantha; referring to the historical name of Thiruvananthapuram) is a 2026 Indian period political action thriller film written by Murali Gopy and directed by Jiyen Krishnakumar. Featuring dialogue in both Malayalam and Tamil, the film stars Arya in the lead role alongside an ensemble cast including Regena Cassandrra, Nikhila Vimal, Sunil, Indrans, and Dev Mohan. It is produced by S. Vinod Kumar under the Mini Studio banner and presented by Sree Gokulam Movies.[3][4]
This movie was Arya's comeback in Malayalam after seven years. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audience.
Plot
Ananthan Kaadu unfolds in the late Eighties and early Nineties, when the country was going through a dark phase both politically and socially; a time when turmoil was writ all over the economic and political scape of the nation.[5][6]
The narrative shifts to the dingy, impoverished slums of a state capital, focusing on a mercenary foursome whose passion for music is second only to their will to lead a violent life. This dangerous lifestyle provides them with both the means to survive and unquestioned command over their politically ordained domains. The film dives deep into the double-edged power equations and socio-political maneuvers of the era, carving out rare, undocumented characters who played a crucial role in shaping the dramatic paradigm of a transformative period in the land's history.[7]
Cast
- Arya as Vetrivel kumaran
- Murali Gopy as Thankaraj Ponnappan
- Dev Mohan as Murali
- Sunil as Sampath Rao
- Indrans as Krishnankutty
- Appani Sarath as Jackson
- Nikhila Vimal as Deepa
- Regena Cassandrra as Priyamvada
- Vijayaraghavan as K.K Menon
- Achyuth Kumar as Mudaliyar
- Ajay as Sri Lankan Commander
- Santhy Balachandran as Karthi
- Jain Paul as SI Baburaj
- Janani Durgaa as Selvi
- Janaki Suresh as Nayaki
Production
Development
The film was announced as a major big-budget bilingual venture representing the second collaboration between director Jiyen Krishnakumar and writer Murali Gopy after Tiyaan (2017). Written by acclaimed screenwriter Murali Gopy (known for Lucifer and its sequel Empuraan), the narrative weaves historical socio-political transitions with core commercial action elements. The project is produced by Mini Studio, marking their 14th production venture following the commercial success of Mark Antony (2023).[8][9]
Filming
Tamil actor Arya was cast in the central lead role, portraying a rugged, leading a rebellion within the plot's volatile ecosystem. A massive ensemble cross-industry cast was pulled together, bringing in notable actors from the Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada film industries. Principal photography took place across various locations designed to replicate the late-80s and early-90s cityscape and impoverished urban sectors.[10]
Music
The film's original score and songs are composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, marking his official debut in Malayalam cinema. The lyrics for the tracks were penned by Nishanth Raju and Murali Gopy. A promotional tracking song titled "Vedicha Theeyaal", written and sung by screenwriter Murali Gopy himself, was recorded for the film.[11][12][13]
Release
On June 4, 2026, the makers confirmed that Ananthan Kaadu is scheduled to hit screens worldwide on June 25, 2026. The film will be distributed by Big Dreams Films.[14][15]
Reception
Aiswarya Sudha of The Times of India gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "The action sequences are appreciable and are staged with energy. Film relies heavily on violence and stunts, which gradually makes the impact of these sequences feel repetitive. What Ananthan Kaadu misses most is an emotional centre. "[16]
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 1/5 stars and wrote "Jiyen Krishnakumar's action drama tries hard, but Murali Gopy's text-heavy, pretentious screenplay strips the film of any real soul."[17] S.R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "Ananthan Kaadu movie review: A flat, old-fashioned political potboiler lacking novelty."[18]
References
- ↑ "Arya-starrer Ananthan Kaadu gets a release date". NewIndianExpress. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "ANANTHANKAADU". Central Board of Film Certification. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Arya's Malayalam debut 'Ananthan Kaadu' locks release date; new teaser promises action and intrigue". TimesofIndia. 4 June 2025. Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ↑ "Ananthan Kaadu: First look of 'Lucifer' and 'Empuraan' writer Murali Gopy's Tamil-Malayalam bilingual with Arya unveiled..." www.theweek.in. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ananthan Kaadu". TimesofIndia. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ↑ "ആര്യക്കൊപ്പം മുരളി ഗോപിയും നിഖില വിമലും; 'അനന്തൻ കാട്' റിലീസ് ടീസർ പുറത്ത്". ManoramaOnline. Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ananthan Kaadu - Official Malayalam Teaser". TimesofIndia. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "'Ananthan Kaadu' teaser: Arya's film promises a gripping pan-India thriller—watch". TimesofIndia. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Arya's next 'Ananthan Kaadu' scripted by Murali Gopy. Watch teaser". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
- ↑ "ആര്യ നായകനായെത്തുന്ന അനന്തൻ കാടിൽ ദീപ ടീച്ചറായി നിഖില വിമൽ; ചിത്രം ജൂൺ 25 ന് തിയേറ്ററുകളിൽ". AsianetNews. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
- ↑ "Arya's 'Ananthan Kaadu' to hit screens on June 25". indiatribune.com. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "ആര്യ നായകനാകുന്ന 'അനന്തൻ കാട്' ടീസർ; 'എമ്പുരാനു' ശേഷം മുരളി ഗോപിയുടെ തിരക്കഥ..." ManoramaOnline. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "ആര്യ നായകന്, തിരക്കഥ മുരളി ഗോപി; അനന്തന് കാട് ജൂണ് 25ന് തിയറ്ററുകളില്". www.mediaoneonline.com. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ananthan Kaadu release date announced: Arya's action-packed Malayalam debut set for June 25". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ananthan Kaadu Release Date Announced, Murali Gopy Scripted Arya Starrer Arrives in Theatres on June 25". www.keralatv.in. Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ Sudha, Aiswarya. "Ananthan Kaadu Movie Review: A film with strong setting, but a weak emotional payoff". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Suresh, Anandu (25 June 2026). "Ananthan Kaadu review: Murali Gopy swallowed an encyclopedia, now we're paying the price". The Indian Express. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Praveen, S.R. (25 June 2026). "'Ananthan Kaadu' movie review: A flat, old-fashioned political potboiler lacking novelty". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 June 2026.