Sarvam Maya

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Sarvam Maya
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAkhil Sathyan
Written byAkhil Sathyan
Produced byAjayya Kumar
Rajeev Menon
StarringNivin Pauly
Riya Shibu
Preity Mukhundhan
Aju Varghese
Janardhanan
CinematographySharan Velayudhan
Edited byAkhil Sathyan
Rathin Radhakrishnan
Music byJustin Prabhakaran
Production
companies
Firefly Films
Akhil Sathyan Films
Distributed byCentral Pictures
Release date
  • 25 December 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time
146 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹5 crore[2]
Box office₹150 crore[3]

Sarvam Maya (transl. Everything is a delusion) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language supernatural romantic comedy film written and directed by Akhil Sathyan.[4] Produced by Firefly Films, the film stars Nivin Pauly, Riya Shibu and Preity Mukhundhan in the lead roles along with, Aju Varghese, Janardhanan, Raghunath Paleri, Madhu Warrier Vineeth Radhakrishnan, and Methil Devika in supporting roles.[5] The film is produced by Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon under Firefly Productions.[6][7]

Sarvam Maya released worldwide on 25 December 2025 in theatres, coinciding with Christmas.[8][9] The film received critical acclaim. It has emerged as a commercial success and became fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 and one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

Plot

Prabhendu Namboothiri is an aspiring guitarist born into a traditional Brahmin priest family in Palakkad who is part of a musical troupe. Though he was born into a Brahmin family, he is now an atheist completely staying away from traditions, temple and rituals. With the troupe about to go on tour to Europe, his visa application is rejected due to budget constraints, and he returns to his hometown of Palakkad. Unable to find stable work, he agrees to temporarily assist his cousin Roopesh, who works as a priest and begins to earn money. Despite his atheistic views, Prabhendu performs well due to his extensive training in the Vedas. After Roopesh meets with a freak accident, he requests Prabhendu to take over his existing commitments. One of these is an exorcism ritual for a teenage boy, Avinash, who claims to see a young woman constantly approaching him and suffers from a loss of appetite. To Prabhendu's surprise, the ritual appears successful, and Avinash returns to normal. Now he earns large amounts of money too.

Soon after, Prabhendu begins experiencing strange incidents, such as his WhatsApp profile picture changing unexpectedly and unfamiliar items being ordered from his Amazon account. One night, he encounters a mysterious young woman in his room who abruptly disappears. These encounters continue, and the woman eventually reveals that she is the spirit exorcised from Avinash. Visible only to Prabhendu, she has no memory of her identity or past. After assisting him in an audition for a Bollywood music director, the two develop a close emotional bond, and he nicknames her “Delulu.”

Delulu supports Prabhendu in his musical pursuits and encourages him to reconnect with his estranged father following the death of his mother. Meanwhile, she attempts to recover her lost memories. After Prabhendu moves to Mumbai, he grows closer to Saadhya, the manager who helped him secure his opportunity. As Delulu gradually develops romantic feelings for Prabhendu, he hesitates, stating that such a relationship is impossible and expressing his feelings for Saadhya instead.

Following a near-fatal road accident, Delulu regains her memories. She recalls that her real name is Maya Mathew Manjooran and that she lived in Kuttikkanam, Idukki. She had been in love with her senior and was traveling with her family to confess her feelings when she met with a vehicular accident and was declared brain-dead. It is revealed that Avinash had accompanied her younger brother to the hospital upon hearing of the accident.

After fully recalling her past, Maya embraces Prabhendu, allowing him to experience her memories. As he comes to understand her life and emotions, he sheds a tear. With her story acknowledged and her existence understood, Maya disappears peacefully.

Following this, Prabhendu confides in his uncle, Prahladan about Maya. He reflects on how Maya's parents were never able to see the man she loved and expresses a desire to offer them some form of emotional closure. Acting on this, Prabhendu later travels to Kuttikkanam and meets Maya's mother Annie, introducing himself as someone close to her. When she asks if he was the person Maya loved, Prabhendu pauses before saying yes to her, choosing to comfort her family.

As he leaves the house, he feels a gentle breeze, recalling Maya's earlier description of it as a sign of her presence. In the end, guided by her memories and influence, Prabhendu fulfills his dream of becoming a musician, with Saadhya in his life.

Cast

Production

Development

In December 2023, Nivin Pauly announced he was collaborating with director Akhil Sathyan for the latter's sophomore directorial. Sathyan's debut film, Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (2023), was initially set to feature Nivin as the lead actor before he was replaced with Fahadh Faasil.[10] Sathyan confirmed the project the following May.[11] The official title, Sarvam Maya, was announced in July 2025.[12] The theatrical release date poster was revealed on 20 November 2025.[13] Principal photography wrapped in November 2025.[14]

Music

The music and background score is composed by Justin Prabhakaran.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Chiri Thottu"Manu Manjith, Aron Mathew (English)Chinmayi Sripada, Justin Prabhakar, Weldon4:32
2."Vellarathaaram"Manu ManjithVineeth Sreenivasan4:39
3."Puthu Mazha"Manu ManjithShakthisree Gopalan4:22
4."Mayajaalame"Manu ManjithSooraj Santhosh4:27
5."Nearer My God To Thee - Delulu's Goodbye"Sarah Flower AdamsJustin Prabhakaran, Sarah Flower Adams2:53
6."Nokkada Nammude - Fight Remix"Kunchan NambiarKalamandalam Prasoon, Kalamandalam Kavya, Geethanandan1:38

Release

Theatrical

Sarvam Maya was released on 25 December 2025, coinciding with Christmas with a clean U certificate from CBFC.[15][16]

Home media

The post-theatrical digital streaming rights of Sarvam Maya were acquired by JioHotstar. The film began streaming on the platform from 30 January 2026.[17] The satellite rights of the film is acquired by Asianet and premiered on 12 April 2026.[18]

Reception

Sarvam Maya received positive reviews from critics.

Sajin Shrijith of The Week gave 4/5 stars and wrote "The film marks the triumphant return of Nivin Pauly to his beloved charming persona in a feel-good fantasy directed by Akhil Sathyan, who presents a heartwarming 'ghost-as-angel' story, perfect for the holiday season"[19] Gayathiri Krishna of OTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese are portrayed in Akhil Sathyan's film in a way that appeals to Malayalis. Additionally, Riya Shibu is a real find."[20] Janani K of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Sarvam Maya is a wholesome film with a lot of heart. The pace of the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Sarvam Maya is a film that deserves to receive as much love as it gives."[21] Risha Ganguly of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "For viewers looking for a festive release that offers light chills, gentle laughs and introspection, Sarvam Maya proves to be a decent choice."[22]

Onmanorama termed it a modest fantasy that relies on character dynamics and situational humour rather than melodrama.[23] Zoom TV wrote that the film offers a restrained blend of belief and anxiety, focusing more on atmosphere and performances than conventional scares.[24]

References

  1. "Sarvam Maya (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  2. "'Sarvam Maya' box office collection day 39: Nivin Pauly's film crosses Rs 150 crore worldwide". 3 February 2026.
  3. "'Sarvam Maya' box office collection day 39: Nivin Pauly's film crosses Rs 150 crore worldwide" (in Malayalam). 3 February 2026.
  4. "Nivin Pauly plays lead in Akhil Sathyan's horror-comedy Sarvam Maya". The Times of India.
  5. "Sarvam Maya poster: Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese celebrate 15 years of friendship". The Times of India.
  6. "Nivin Pauly's film with Akhil Sathyan titled 'Sarvam Maya'; first look out". The Hindu. 2 July 2025.
  7. "Nivin Pauly's Sarvam Maya wraps up filming". The New Indian Express. 13 November 2025.
  8. "Nivin Pauly's fantasy movie 'Sarvam Maya' locks its release date". Onmanorama.
  9. "ക്രിസ്മസ് കളറാക്കാൻ നിവിൻ പോളി; അഖിൽ സത്യന്റെ 'സർവ്വം മായ' റിലീസ് തിയതി എത്തി". Asianet News.
  10. "Nivin Pauly joins Akhil Sathyan's 'humour-driven fantasy' after Fahadh Faasil's Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum | Exclusive". OTT Play. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  11. "Akhil Sathyan's next to feature Nivin Pauly". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  12. "Nivin Pauly and Akhil Sathyan's film titled 'Sarvam Maya'". South First.
  13. "'Sarvam Maya' release date: Nivin Pauly returns in horror-comedy mode; New poster promises 'Spiritual' fun". The Times of India.
  14. "'The Maya is locked...': Nivin Pauly drops major update on 'Sarvam Maya'". Mathrubhumi. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  15. "Nivin Pauly's fantasy movie 'Sarvam Maya' locks its release date". Onmanorama. 20 November 2025.
  16. "ക്രിസ്മസ് കളറാക്കാൻ നിവിൻ പോളി; അഖിൽ സത്യന്റെ 'സർവ്വം മായ' റിലീസ് തിയതി എത്തി". Asianet News. 19 November 2025.
  17. "സർവ്വം മായ ഓടിടി അവകാശം സ്വന്തമാക്കി വമ്പൻ; അറിയാം എന്ന് മുതൽ സ്ട്രീം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന്". Kairali News Online. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  18. "Sarvam Maya to Prakambanam: Check out the Malayalam TV premieres this Vishu 2026". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  19. "'Sarvam Maya' review: Nivin Pauly returns with loads of charm in this perfect holiday movie". The Week. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  20. "Sarvam Maya Review: Akhil Sathyan's film is more comedic than scary with a 'classic' Nivin Pauly". ottplay.com. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  21. K, Janani (25 December 2025). "Sarvam Maya review: Nivin Pauly's ghost story is irresistible, full of charm". India Today. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  22. "Sarvam Maya movie review: Nivin Pauly film is a gentle mix of faith, fear and fun". Times Now. 25 December 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  23. "Sarvam Maya movie review: Nivin Pauly, Akhil Sathyan deliver a warm fantasy". Onmanorama. 25 December 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  24. "Sarvam Maya film review: Nivin Pauly's movie offers a soft blend of belief, anxiety and enjoyment". Zoom. 25 December 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.