Kayattam

Kayattam
Directed bySanal Kumar Sasidharan
Written bySanal Kumar Sasidharan
Produced by
  • Shaji Mathew
  • Aruna Mathew
Starring
  • Manju Warrier
  • Gourav Raveendran
  • Vedh
  • Sujith Koyikkal
  • Bhupendra Khurana
CinematographyChandru Selvaraj
Edited bySanal Kumar Sasidharan
Music byRatheesh Eeetillam
Production
company
NIV Productions
Release dates
  • October 2020 (2020-10) (Busan)
  • 23 January 2025 (2025-01-23)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Kayattam (transl. Climb) also known as A'hr, is a 2020 Malayalam film written, directed and edited by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, starring Manju Warrier in the lead role. The film is produced by Shaji Mathew and Aruna Mathew under NIV Productions banner.

The film was premiered at the 25th Busan International Film Festival and then at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Sanal Kumar gave the film a free online release, by sharing the film's Google Drive link on 23 January 2025.

Cast

  • Manju Warrier as Maya
  • Gourav Raveendran
  • Vedh
  • Sujith Koyikkal
  • Bhupendra Khurana

Production

After Chola (2019), Sanal Kumar Sasidharan was announced to join hands with Manju Warrier for their next project, based on mountaineering.[1][2] The film is produced by Shaji Mathew and Aruna Mathew under NIV Productions banner.[3] Co-produced by Manju Warrier in her production debut, the film was shot in places around Himachal Pradesh and the got warpped by the end of October 2019.[4] During the filming in Himachal,[5] it was reported that the crew and cast got trapped in a remote village[6] that was 330 kilometers away from Shimla due to the Himachal floods.[7] After getting stranded there for a week, the team was safely shifted to Manali.[8] Apart from writing and direction, the editing and sound design were also handled by the director Sanal Kumar himself.[9] During an interview in May 2020, Sanal Kumar revealed that the post-production works were completed and is in the processes related to censor.[10]

Soundtrack

The songs in the film are in a fictional language called A'hr.[11]

Release

In January 2025, Sanal Kumar disclosed his idea of releasing the film online for free, similar to his previous release, Vazhakku (2022).[12] On 23 January 2025, Sanal Kumar shared the link of his Google Drive to access the film, along with the link for the English subtitles.[13]

Premiere

Kayattam was premiered at the 25th Busan International Film Festival scheduled between 21 and 30 October 2020[14] and then at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2021.[15]

Reception

Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote, "This is Sanal's most woman-centric film, and it's also his gentlest. Usually, the women in his films are preyed upon. But here, Maya is the predator" and added that "even in his experimental mode, he [Sanal] is fascinating".[11]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Busan International Film Festival Kim Jiseok Award Sanal Kumar Sasidharan Nominated [16]
2021 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Disruptor in Cinema Sanal Kumar Sasidharan Won [17]

Controversy

Following a complaint lodged by Manju Warrier at the Elamakkara Police station, Kochi, Sanal Kumar was arrested at Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram[18] for trying to blackmail, defame her and alleging on social media claiming that Manju's life is in danger.[19] It was also reported that Sanal Kumar was stalking the actress, during the shoot of the film, which started after a dispute with Manju Warrier's manager.[20] Soon after getting bail, Sanal disclosed that he had confessed his love to the actress.[21]

References

  1. ^ "It's pack up time for Manju Warrier-Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Kayattam". The Times of India. 2019-10-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  2. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (2020-05-26). "Malayalam director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan on collaborating with Manju Warrier in 'A'hr (Kayattam)'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  3. ^ "Manju Warrier looks impressive in the first look poster of 'Kayattam'". The Times of India. 2019-08-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  4. ^ "Manju Warrier-Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Kayattam wrapped up". Cinema Express. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  5. ^ "Manju Warrier and crew stranded in Himachal Pradesh floods while shooting for 'Kayattam', facing food shortage - details inside". The Times of India. 2019-08-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  6. ^ "Manju Warrier and team trapped in Himalayan floods". The Times of India. 2019-08-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  7. ^ "Manju Warrier, Sanal K Sasidharan and Kayattam crew members stuck in Himachal floods". The Indian Express. 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  8. ^ "Kayattam new poster: Manju Warrier plays a happy hiker". The Indian Express. 2020-05-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  9. ^ "Manju turns producer with Sanalkumar Sasidharan's 'Kayattam'". The Times of India. 2019-08-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  10. ^ "Exclusive! 'Kayattam' will be a compelling movie: Sanal Kumar Sasidharan about the Manju Warrier-starrer". The Times of India. 2020-05-26. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  11. ^ a b Rangan, Baradwaj (5 October 2021). "The Fascinating 'Kayattam' Finds Sanal Kumar Sasidharan In An Experimental Mode, Pursuing A Woman Of Mystery". Film Companion. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Manju Warrier's 'Kayattam' to be released online for free, director Sanalkumar Sasidharan announces". The Times of India. 2025-01-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  13. ^ "Manju Warrier's A'hr Kayattam released online, here's how to watch Sanal Kumar Sasidharan film". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  14. ^ "Manju Warrier-starrer Kayattam selected for Busan Film Festival". The Times of India. 2020-09-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  15. ^ "Sanal Kumar Sasidharan: Making of 'Kayattam' was mentally effortless but physically challenging". The Times of India. 2021-08-26. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  16. ^ "Sanal Kumar's Kayattam selected at Busan Film Fest". New Indian Express. 16 September 2020.
  17. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (2021-08-31). "'Kayattam' wins Sanal Kumar Sasidharan the first 'Disruptor in Cinema' award at Melbourne". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  18. ^ "Sanal Kumar Sasidharan arrested on Manju Warrier's complaint". The Times of India. 2022-05-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  19. ^ "Filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan alleges superstar Manju Warrier's life is in danger". The Times of India. 2022-05-02. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  20. ^ Rajagopal, Vivek (2022-05-06). "Award-winning director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan arrested for stalking actor Manju Warrier". India Today. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  21. ^ Service, Express News (2022-05-07). "Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan says he confessed love to Manju Warrier". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
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