Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer

Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRojin Thomas
Written by
Produced byGokulam Gopalan
Starring
CinematographyNeil D'Cunha
Edited byRojin Thomas
Music byRahul Subramanian
Productioncompany
Sree Gokulam Movies
Distributed bySree Gokulam Movies
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹90 crore[1]

Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language periodfantasythriller film directed and edited by Rojin Thomas, written by Rojin Thomas and R. Ramanand and produced by Gokulam Gopalan under Sree Gokulam Movies. The story traces the life of Kadamattathu Kathanar, a legendary 9th-century Christian priest endowed with magical powers. The film stars Jayasurya in the title role, along with Anushka Shetty (in her Malayalam debut) and Prabhu Deva. Mohanlal appears in a cameo appearance.

The film is intended to be the first of a two-part film. Principal photography began in April 2023. The film was shot using the virtual production technology in a custom-built studio.

Cast

Production

Development

The film is based on the story of legendary 9th-century Christian priest Kadamattathu Kathanar.[3] The film was initially planned to be produced by Vijay Babu of Friday Film House, with whom Rojin Thomas had previously collaborated in two films. However, in March 2020, it was announced that the project has been taken over by Gokulam Gopalan of Sree Gokulam Movies. It was also reported that the film would be released in two parts and is mounted on a budget of ₹75 crore.[4] According to Rojin, the film falls under "period fantasy thriller" genre.[5] Pre-production began in September 2021.[6]

Filming

Principal photography began on 5 April 2023 in Kochi.[7] It was held at a custom-built studio spanning 45,000 square feet (4,200 m2), utilizing virtual production technology. The first schedule was completed on 2 June 2023 after 43 days. Around 570 personnel worked in various departments.[8]

Principal photography was completed in October 2024, after 212 days of shoot over 18 months. Still, 12-day shoot was remaining in Rome.[9]

Release

Alongside the original Malayalam version, the makers are planning to release the film in multiple dubbed languages, including English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Italian, Russian, Indonesian, and Japanese.[10][11]

References

  1. ^Vaid, Kritika (8 November 2024). "Budget of Rs 90 crore, this film will release in 14 languages, set to earn more money than Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, lead actors are..."India.com. ZMCL. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  2. ^"INTERVIEW: 'I've never aspired to become a superstar,' says Malayalam star Vineeth". The New Indian Express. 13 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  3. ^Morbid, Mr (6 May 2023). "Kadamattathu Kathanar, the True Story Behind the Sorcerer Priest of Kerala - Morbid Kuriosity". Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^The Hindu Net Desk (10 March 2020). "Jayasurya's magnum opus 'Kathanar The Wild Sorcerer' taken over by Gokulam Films". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  5. ^"Rojin Thomas on 'Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer': It is a film that promises to transport audiences to otherworldly dimensions". The Times of India. 6 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^"Kathanar: Pre-production of Jayasurya and Rojin Thomas' Rs 100 Cr, 3D fantasy film begins".
  7. ^"മലയാള സിനിമയുടെ അദ്ഭുതമാകാൻ 'കത്തനാർ'; ചിത്രീകരണത്തിനു തുടക്കം". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  8. ^"Kathanar team completes first schedule". Cinema Express. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  9. ^Service, Express News (17 October 2024). "It's a wrap for the Kerala schedule of Kathanar". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  10. ^"Kathanar The Wild Sorcerer first look: Jayasurya looks gothic in Raji Thomas' intriguing fantasy drama. Watch". The Indian Express. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  11. ^"'ഹോളിവുഡ് ലെവൽ'; ജയസൂര്യയ്‌ക്കൊപ്പം അനുഷ്ക ഷെട്ടി; 'കത്തനാർ' ഗ്ലിംപ്സ്". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
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