Maharaja Hostel
| Maharaja Hostel | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charu Wakan |
| Written by | Charu Wakan Raja |
| Produced by | Karumuru Raghu Ramu Charvaka Brahmanapally Rahul Mopidevi Ramya Vemulapati Sai Prakash Bhuvanagiri |
| Starring | Akhil NRD Akhil Shah Sarath Babu Sandeep SP Ann Maria Chitra Nair Sajin Cherukayil Vinod Kovoor Sreeram Sethu Madhav |
| Cinematography | Ashkar Ali |
| Edited by | Nitish Mishra |
| Music by | Ashwin Ram |
Production companies | Charuchitra Productions Madhumitha Productions Monsoon Tales |
| Distributed by | Capital Cinema(Kerala) PHF(Overseas and outside Kerala(India)) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Maharaja Hostel is an 2026 Indian Malayalam-language horror-comedy film directed by Charu Wakan. The film features a cast composed primarily of social media sensations, including Akhil NRD, Akhil Shah, Sarath Babu, and Sandeep SP. Maharaja Hostel was released on 25 July 2026 and received negative reviews from critics.[2]
Plot
The film follows three engineering students who, seeking affordable accommodation, decide to move into a hostel. Their decision quickly transforms into a fight for survival as they encounter eerie happenings within the facility. As fear mounts and danger escalates, the protagonists must work to uncover the truth behind the mysterious hostel before it is too late. The story also centers on the relationship between the students and the hostel's warden.[3][4]
Cast
- Akhil NRD
- Sarath Babu
- Sandeep SP
- Ann Maria
- Abhirami Girish
- Chitra Nair
- Sajin Cherukayil
- Vinod Kovoor
- Sreeram Sethu Madhav
Production
Development
Principal photography for Maharaja Hostel commenced in February 2025. Filming took place across multiple locations in India, including Kochi, Vagamon, Kumbalangi, Cherthala, Malayattoor and Hyderabad. The film is produced by Charvaka Brahmanapally, Karumuru Raghu Ramu, Rahul Mopidevi, Ramya Vemulapati, and Sai Prakash Bhuvanagiri under the production banners of Charuchitra Productions, Madhumitha Productions, and Monsoon Tales.[5][6]
Filming
The production design focused on grounding the horror-comedy elements within the setting of a haunted-like city hostel. Filming took place across varied environments to capture the necessary atmosphere, balancing the comedic interactions of the students with the suspense of the horror sequences.[7]
Music
The musical score for the film is composed by Ashwin Ram, with lyrics penned by Jishnu M Nair. The soundtrack serves as a key promotional element for the film. One of the tracks, "Magnetic Kannane Cornet Pol Sweetane," has been released as a single and received positive reception. The film features a total of four songs, each designed to complement the shift between the narrative's humorous and terrifying beats.[8]
Release
The film's teaser was released on January 24, 2026, gaining attention for its blend of laughs and scares. Maharaja Hostel is set for a wide theatrical release on July 24, 2026. Distribution is managed by Capital Cinema in Kerala, with PHF handling release for overseas and other Indian markets.[9][10][11]
Reception
The film was released on 25 July 2026 and was panned by critics.[12] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express described it as the worst Malayalam film of 2026. He wrote, If the comedy is bad, the horror is far worse, and Maharaja Hostel would make one develop a newfound respect for many of director Vinayan's horror films.[13]
References
- ↑ "Mollywood's next social media star-led film 'Maharaja Hostel' locks its release date". onmanorama.com. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Bharadwaj, Aswin (24 July 2026). "Maharaja Hostel | A Hasty Content Creator Comedy That Prioritizes Casting Over Crafting". Lensmen Reviews. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Maharaja Hostel trailer out: Malayalam horror-comedy promises hostel chaos, laughs and spooky twists". mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "തൊഴുത്ത് പോലുള്ള ബോയ്സ് ഹോസ്റ്റൽ, അവിടുത്തെ എംജിആർ എന്ന ഹോസ്റ്റൽ വാർഡൻ; 'മഹാരാജ ഹോസ്റ്റൽ' വരുന്നു". malayalam.news18.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "റീൽസ് രാജാക്കന്മാർ ഒന്നിക്കുന്ന 'മഹാരാജ ഹോസ്റ്റൽ'; പ്രവേശനോത്സവം ജൂലൈയിൽ". manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "'Maharaja Hostel' teaser: Social media stars Akhil NRD, Akhil Sha, Sharath Babu lead horror comedy on haunted college life - watch". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ↑ "റീൽസ് രാജാക്കന്മാർ ഒന്നിക്കുന്ന 'മഹാരാജ ഹോസ്റ്റൽ' തുറക്കുന്നു; പ്രവേശനോത്സവം ജൂലൈയിൽ". asianetnews.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "'മാഗ്നെറ്റിക് കണ്ണാണേ കോർണറ്റ് പോൽ സ്വീറ്റാണേ...'; മനം കവരും മെലഡിയുമായി 'മഹാരാജാ ഹോസ്റ്റൽ'". mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "'Maharaja Hostel' to hit theatres on July 24; Akhil NRD and team debut in horror-comedy". mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Maharaja Hostel - Official Trailer". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "Social media sensations unite for horror-comedy 'Maharaja Hostel' releasing this July". mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
- ↑ "ചിരിച്ചു പേടിക്കാം; 'മഹാരാജാ ഹോസ്റ്റൽ' റിവ്യൂ". @manoramaonline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Maharaja Hostel movie review: This horror comedy is the worst Malayalam film of 2026 till now". The Indian Express. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.