Malayalam cinema has always been a breeding ground for genre experiments, and Secret of Kalinga is the latest entry that swings for the fences with a mystery-horror-comedy set against one of Kerala’s most atmospheric backdrops. Directed by debutant Saneesh Unnikrishnan and produced under the Aira Films banner, this film brings together a beloved ensemble — Dhyan Sreenivasan, Althaf Salim, and Riyaz Khan — in a ghost story rooted in folklore, campus culture, and AI-aided visual spectacle. While the film carries the rough edges of an ambitious first outing, it is precisely that ambition — the nerve to attempt something visually grand on a limited budget — that makes Secret of Kalinga a worthy theatrical watch.
Secret of Kalinga is a spirited, if uneven, Malayalam fantasy thriller that leans into its horror-comedy groove with genuine energy. Anchored by the charismatic presence of Dhyan Sreenivasan and Althaf Salim and buoyed by some genuinely atmospheric moments, the film tells the eerie legend of Mandakini Kadu through a blend of folklore, campus drama, and visually bold AI-assisted sequences. The performances are earnest across the board, the background score creates some effective dread, and the Athirappilly-adjacent setting lends the film a natural mystique. For fans of Malayalam horror-comedy who enjoy a film that takes creative risks, Secret of Kalinga delivers enough thrills, laughs, and curiosity to justify the trip to the theatre.
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Saneesh Unnikrishnan |
| Screenplay | Saneesh Unnikrishnan, Jishnu M. Aaryan |
| Producer | Basheer Varandharappilly, Sulthan |
| Banner | Aira Films |
| Cinematography | Asrith Santhosh |
| Editor | Aswanth Raveendran |
| Background Score | Dhanush Harikumar, Vimaljith Vijayan |
| Art Director | Akhil Roy |
| Release Date | June 18, 2026 |
| Runtime | 120 minutes |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Mystery / Horror / Comedy |
| Censor Rating | UA16+ |
Cast:
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Lead Role | Dhyan Sreenivasan |
| Supporting Lead | Althaf Salim |
| Security Character | Riyaz Khan |
| Heroine – Gayathri | Adirsha Vinodh |
| Supporting Role | Malavika C. Menon |
| Supporting Role | Mareena Michael |
| Supporting Role | Gowri Nandha |
| Supporting Role | Nithin Parameshwar |
| Supporting Role | Anwar Shereef |
| Supporting Role | Lekshmi Nandan |
| Supporting Role | Ullas Pandhalam |
| Aji (Director’s Role) | Saneesh Unnikrishnan |
Plot Summary
Secret of Kalinga is set against the atmospheric backdrop of “Mandakini Kadu,” a mysterious forest enclosure located on a college campus near the scenic Athirappilly region. Legend holds that the ghost of a woman named Mandakini haunts the area, and the forest has remained sealed for nearly a decade following an unexplained death. The story kicks into gear when student groups begin demanding that Mandakini Kadu be reopened to the public — a decision that unleashes a cascade of supernatural events. As the truth behind the ancient legend of Kalinga surfaces through AI-visualized historical flashbacks and eerie encounters, a motley group of characters must confront the myth that has kept this land forbidden. The film weaves campus camaraderie, comic relief, and ghost-lore mythology into a narrative that spans light-hearted banter and genuine supernatural dread.
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Performances
Dhyan Sreenivasan continues to prove his versatility as one of Malayalam cinema’s most watchable actors. His grounded screen presence brings a reliable energy to every frame he inhabits, and even within the constraints of a limited shoot setup, he delivers with his trademark naturalism. His character’s role as the one who connects the present to the history of Kalinga gives him meaningful dramatic real estate, and he uses it well.
Althaf Salim shines in the sibling dynamic, adding warmth and playful chemistry to the narrative. Despite his character operating largely within a single-location setup, Althaf brings his usual charm and comic timing, making every scene feel lived-in rather than restricted. His scenes with Dhyan have an easy camaraderie that audiences will enjoy.
Riyaz Khan brings a commanding physicality and a welcome gravitas to the security character. His role is cleverly layered — something that only becomes clear as the mythology of the film deepens — and Khan makes the most of the material, delivering a performance that lingers in memory.
Adirsha Vinodh as Gayathri, the film’s female lead, gives perhaps the most grounded and emotionally consistent performance in the ensemble. Her portrayal holds steady even amid the tonal shifts of the second half, and she brings a sincerity that complements the supernatural proceedings around her.
Nithin Parameshwar makes a fun appearance that will delight his fanbase, bringing his signature charm and the kind of self-aware energy that plays well in a horror-comedy setting.
Anwar Shereef brings decades of experience to his supporting role and adds a layer of gentle authority to the family dynamics within the film. His presence is always welcome, and even a brief appearance from him enriches the scene.
Malavika C. Menon, Mareena Michael, and Gowri Nandha all make their moments count. Though their screen time is limited, each brings a distinct personality to her role, and their contributions help fill the world of Mandakini Kadu with texture and life.
Saneesh Unnikrishnan as the character Aji demonstrates an interesting dual boldness — both stepping behind and in front of the camera. His vocal quality is genuinely engaging, and his first-half screen presence reveals a performer with real potential who will only grow with more experience.
Technical Craft
Direction
Saneesh Unnikrishnan’s debut is marked by genuine ambition and a clear love for the genre. The idea of setting a centuries-old ghost story on a contemporary college campus near Athirappilly is inspired, and the director handles the early portions with atmospheric confidence. The decision to use AI visuals for historical sequences is a bold creative choice that speaks to a filmmaker eager to push boundaries within budgetary constraints. While some structural choices in the second half stretch the narrative thin, the overall vision reflects a filmmaker who is finding his footing and has plenty of creative fuel for future projects.
Cinematography
Asrith Santhosh’s lens work deserves recognition for the way it captures the natural eeriness of the Athirappilly-adjacent campus locations. The high-contrast shadow work in the forest sequences gives Mandakini Kadu a genuinely foreboding quality, and the visual contrast between sunlit campus life and the gloom of the forbidden forest is well-realized. The effort to make a limited budget look atmospheric on screen is commendable.
Background Score & Music
The dual background score by Dhanush Harikumar and Vimaljith Vijayan is one of the film’s more effective technical elements, generating pockets of genuine unease during the supernatural sequences. The score does a solid job of maintaining a tonal bridge between the horror and comedy registers of the film. The songs, while modest, serve their narrative purpose.
Editing
Aswanth Raveendran’s editing keeps the film moving at a brisk pace through the first half, deploying sharp comedic cuts that effectively break tension. The film’s 120-minute runtime feels largely justified through the early portions. The second half presents more editorial challenges as the narrative loses some structural clarity, but the pacing remains watchable throughout.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Strong atmospheric setting leveraging the natural mystique of Athirappilly
- Entertaining ensemble with genuine chemistry between the leads
- Bold use of AI-assisted visuals for historical sequences, a first for Malayalam ghost films at this scale
- Effective background score that sustains mood across genre shifts
- Adirsha Vinodh delivers a standout, grounded performance
Weaknesses
- The narrative mythology loses some internal consistency in the second half, with the ghost’s rules feeling inconsistently applied
- AI visual sequences, while ambitious, create a tonal gap with the live-action footage
- Some supporting characters, particularly the prominent names, are underutilized and deserve more screen time
- Comedy in the latter portions occasionally disrupts the film’s supernatural atmosphere
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 / 5
Secret of Kalinga is the kind of debut that announces a filmmaker with a point of view, even if the execution hasn’t fully caught up with the vision yet. It is a film that dares — dares to visualize ancient history through AI, dares to blend tones, and dares to bring a forgotten forest legend to life in contemporary Malayalam cinema. Dhyan Sreenivasan and Althaf Salim are reliably entertaining, Adirsha Vinodh impresses, and the Mandakini Kadu setting is rich with cinematic possibility. Saneesh Unnikrishnan’s debut is imperfect and earnest in equal measure, and that combination is often the most exciting space from which great filmmakers emerge. Secret of Kalinga is a fun, flawed, and frequently engaging watch that fans of Malayalam horror-comedy should not miss.
What is the age rating of Secret of Kalinga?
Secret of Kalinga carries a UA16+ certificate, meaning viewers under 16 are advised to watch with parental guidance due to horror and supernatural content.
What is the age rating of Secret of Kalinga?
Secret of Kalinga carries a UA16+ certificate, meaning viewers under 16 are advised to watch with parental guidance due to horror and supernatural content.
Is Secret of Kalinga based on a true story?
No, Secret of Kalinga is a fictional narrative inspired by the genre of campus ghost legends.
