EYES on Sony LIV: Manu Ashokan on stalking, safety and Malayalam thriller's Oct 9 premiere
Synopsis
Filmmaker Manu Ashokan's 'EYES' is not just another crime thriller — it frames stalking as a psychological violation of safety, not merely a legal category. With Kani Kusruti leading, a Bobby-Sanjay script, and a Sony LIV premiere on 9 October, the Malayalam series is angling for both critical attention and a broader cultural conversation about obsession and control.
Key Takeaways
Manu Ashokan 's Malayalam thriller series 'EYES' premieres on Sony LIV on 9 October 2025 .
The series stars Kani Kusruti as police officer Tina Sebastian , investigating cases of stalking and obsessive control.
Scripted by Bobby-Sanjay , adapted from a story by Anjana Nayar — the team's third collaboration with Ashokan after 'Uyare' and 'Kaanekkaane' .
Supporting cast includes Nikhila Vimal , Dev Mohan , Saniya Iyappan , and Shruthi .
Produced by DreamKatcher , the series explores the psychological impact of stalking beyond its criminal dimension.
Malayalam filmmaker Manu Ashokan says his upcoming thriller series 'EYES' was built around a disquieting truth — that stalking is not merely a legal offence but a sustained assault on a person's sense of safety. The series, set to premiere exclusively on Sony LIV on 9 October 2025, marks Ashokan's return to socially charged storytelling after his widely appreciated earlier work.
What 'EYES' Is About
'EYES' follows Tina Sebastian, a police officer portrayed by acclaimed actress Kani Kusruti, who is pulled into a series of cases where the boundary between love, obsession, and control begins to dissolve. As the investigation deepens, she confronts the unsettling truth that affection and danger can coexist — and that vulnerability may arrive from where it is least expected.
The series, at its core, examines what the makers describe as the dark side of love — the moment when deep affection curdles into possession, and possession escalates into fear.
Director Manu Ashokan on the Series' Intent
'EYES is a story I wanted to tell with honesty and sensitivity,' Manu Ashokan said. 'Stalking is not just a crime; it can deeply affect a person's sense of safety. We've tried to capture that reality while keeping the series engaging as a thriller.'
He added: 'I'm grateful to the cast and crew for bringing this story to life with such sincerity. I hope audiences on Sony LIV connect with the series and look at the subject a little differently.'
The Creative Team Behind 'EYES'
The series has been scripted by celebrated writing duo Bobby-Sanjay, adapted from a story by Anjana Nayar. Notably, 'EYES' reunites Ashokan with Bobby-Sanjay after their earlier collaborations on 'Uyare' and 'Kaanekkaane' — two projects that earned significant critical recognition in Malayalam cinema for their grounded, emotionally layered narratives.
The project is backed by production house DreamKatcher.
Cast and Supporting Ensemble
Alongside Kani Kusruti in the lead role, the series features Nikhila Vimal, Dev Mohan, Saniya Iyappan, and Shruthi in supporting roles, among others. The ensemble brings together some of Malayalam cinema's most recognisable contemporary faces, adding further anticipation to the release.
What to Expect When 'EYES' Drops
'EYES' arrives at a moment when OTT platforms have increasingly embraced Malayalam content for its narrative ambition and social realism. With stalking and gender-based surveillance gaining wider public discourse in India, the series positions itself as both a psychological thriller and a conversation starter. The premiere on 9 October 2025 on Sony LIV will test whether the subject resonates beyond the Malayalam-speaking audience.
Point of View
And Malayalam cinema has repeatedly shown an appetite for social thrillers that carry genuine weight. What distinguishes this project is its framing: by positioning stalking as a safety crisis rather than just a crime, Ashokan is asking audiences to feel its psychological dimension, not just understand it legally. The Bobby-Sanjay reunion adds credibility — their track record on 'Uyare' and 'Kaanekkaane' suggests they can hold structural tension without sacrificing emotional nuance. The question is whether a Sony LIV release can carry the series beyond its natural Malayalam-speaking base and into the wider national conversation it seems designed to provoke.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'EYES' and when does it release?
'EYES' is an upcoming Malayalam thriller series directed by Manu Ashokan, set to premiere exclusively on Sony LIV on 9 October 2025. The series focuses on stalking, obsession, and the psychological erosion of personal safety.
Who stars in the Malayalam series 'EYES'?
Kani Kusruti leads the series as police officer Tina Sebastian. The supporting cast includes Nikhila Vimal, Dev Mohan, Saniya Iyappan, and Shruthi, among others.
Who wrote the script for 'EYES'?
The series has been scripted by the writing duo Bobby-Sanjay, adapted from a story by Anjana Nayar. This marks their third collaboration with director Manu Ashokan, following 'Uyare' and 'Kaanekkaane'.
What is the central theme of 'EYES'?
'EYES' examines what happens when affection turns into obsession and control, exploring the dark side of love and its consequences — fear, vulnerability, and danger. Director Manu Ashokan has described stalking as a subject that 'deeply affects a person's sense of safety,' beyond its legal definition.
Who is producing 'EYES'?
'EYES' is backed by production house DreamKatcher and will stream exclusively on Sony LIV from 9 October 2025.
