Ananthan Kaadu set in late '80s Thiruvananthapuram, reveals director Jiyen Krishnakumar
Synopsis
Director Jiyen Krishnakumar's Ananthan Kaadu isn't just a period film — it's personal. Set in Thiruvananthapuram during 1989–1991, shaped by the director's own school-day memories, and written by Murali Gopy of Lucifer fame, the Arya-led bilingual thriller arrives on 25 June carrying the weight of real political history.
Key Takeaways
Ananthan Kaadu , starring Arya , is set in Thiruvananthapuram during 1989, 1990, and 1991 .
Director Jiyen Krishnakumar drew on personal memories and newspaper accounts from his school days in the city for the story.
The film releases worldwide on 25 June in both Tamil and Malayalam .
Screenplay is by Murali Gopy , known for Lucifer and Empuraan ; produced by S Vinod Kumar of Mini Studio .
Cast includes Regina Cassandra , Nikhila Vimal , Indrans , Sunil , and Vijayaraghavan .
Music is by B Ajaneesh Loknath and cinematography by S Yuva .
Director Jiyen Krishnakumar has revealed that his upcoming political action thriller Ananthan Kaadu, starring Arya in the lead, is set against the backdrop of Thiruvananthapuram during the politically charged years of 1989, 1990, and 1991. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on 25 June.
The Story and Its Setting
Speaking about the film's premise, Krishnakumar said, 'The story of this film takes place in the fag end of the eighties and at the beginning of nineties — it happens during the years 1989, 1990, 1991. In my school days, I have seen many characters in Thiruvananthapuram. I have read about many incidents in newspapers. All that will come in this film.'
While a significant portion of the narrative unfolds in Thiruvananthapuram, a parallel thread runs simultaneously in Tamil Nadu. Arya's character is a man who travels from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram, forming the emotional and dramatic spine of the story.
A Bilingual Release with a Unique Approach
Ananthan Kaadu releases in both Tamil and Malayalam. In a distinctive creative choice, Tamil dialogues in the Malayalam version have been retained as-is, while Malayalam dialogues in the Tamil version have been dubbed in Tamil to ensure accessibility for Tamil-speaking audiences.
Cast and Characters
The film boasts a multilingual ensemble. Actor Sunil portrays a character named Sampath Rao, while veteran actor Indrans plays Krishnankutty. Actress Nikhila Vimal appears as Deepa, actor Vijayaraghavan plays K K Menon, and Santhy Balachandran essays the role of Karthi. Actress Regina Cassandra is also part of the stellar cast.
The title teaser, released earlier, features a poem recited in Tamil that loosely translates to: 'I swallowed all light to show up as a lightning in the sky! I was born in dry lands to make a revolution bloom...' — lines that appear to define Arya's character as a fearless rebel who offers hope to the marginalised.
Creative Team Behind the Film
The screenplay has been penned by Murali Gopy, celebrated for his work on Lucifer and Empuraan. The film is produced by S Vinod Kumar of Mini Studio. Cinematography is handled by S Yuva, with music composed by B Ajaneesh Loknath. Editing is by Rohit V S Variyath, lyrics by Nishanth Raju, stunt choreography by R Sakthi Saravanan, and VFX direction by Binoy Sadasivan.
What to Expect on Release
With a period setting rooted in real political memory, a screenplay by one of Malayalam cinema's most acclaimed writers, and a bilingual release strategy, Ananthan Kaadu arrives carrying considerable anticipation. Whether it translates that buzz into box-office results will be known when it opens worldwide on 25 June.
Point of View
But it also raises the bar for authenticity. With Murali Gopy, who engineered the Lucifer-Empuraan universe, on screenplay duty, the writing credentials are strong. The bilingual release strategy, however, is the real gamble: retaining original-language dialogue rather than fully dubbing is a creative risk that could deepen immersion or alienate casual viewers depending on how the theatrical audience skews.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ananthan Kaadu release?
Ananthan Kaadu is set to release worldwide on 25 June in both Tamil and Malayalam. The bilingual release is a deliberate strategy to reach audiences across Tamil Nadu and Kerala simultaneously.
What is the plot of Ananthan Kaadu?
The film is a political action thriller set in Thiruvananthapuram during 1989, 1990, and 1991. Arya plays a character who travels from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram, with the story drawing on real incidents and characters from director Jiyen Krishnakumar's memories of that era.
Who wrote the screenplay for Ananthan Kaadu?
The screenplay was written by Murali Gopy, best known for his work on the blockbusters Lucifer and Empuraan. The film is produced by S Vinod Kumar under the Mini Studio banner.
Who are the key cast members in Ananthan Kaadu?
The film stars Arya in the lead, alongside Regina Cassandra, Nikhila Vimal, Indrans, Sunil, Vijayaraghavan, and Santhy Balachandran. Each actor plays a named character rooted in the film's late-1980s Kerala-Tamil Nadu setting.
How is the bilingual release of Ananthan Kaadu handled?
Tamil dialogues in the Malayalam version have been kept in their original language, while Malayalam dialogues in the Tamil version have been dubbed into Tamil. This approach preserves the linguistic texture of the period setting while making the film accessible to Tamil-speaking audiences.
