Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi's highly anticipated time-travel thriller 'Orijinal', directed by Ramees, has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a U/A 13+ certificate, paving the way for its worldwide theatrical release on 23 October 2025. The certification ends weeks of fan speculation about the film's release prospects.

Certification Confirmed

Actress Femina George, who plays a pivotal role in the film, was among the first to share the news. In an Instagram post, she wrote: 'Certified U/A 13+! #orijinal is all set to play with TIME on the big screen. Catch the time-bending thriller in theatres on October 23!' The makers had earlier teased the release with a poster that read, 'Finally, the TIME has come. #orijinal hits the BIG screen on Oct 23rd,' a post that Sreenath Bhasi himself shared with fans.

What the Teaser Revealed

The film had already built substantial curiosity following the release of its teaser through Think Music's official YouTube channel. The teaser offered a glimpse into the film's time-bending universe, blending fantasy, humour, thrills and emotional depth. Notably, Sreenath Bhasi appeared in two distinct looks, immediately prompting questions about dual characters and the central premise. His dialogue, 'Ini nammade samayaa,' became one of the teaser's standout moments, while visuals hinted at cascading consequences triggered by shifts in time.

The Story Behind the Unusual Title

The film has generated intrigue even around its title — with audiences debating whether it is 'Original' or 'Orijinal'. Sources close to the production suggest the title itself is a deliberate clue to the film's exploration of time, reality and the blurred boundaries between them. According to sources, the narrative weaves together time travel, fantasy, thriller elements and emotional moments to deliver what the team describes as a 'distinctive cinematic experience.'

Cast and Production Details

'Orijinal' has been produced under the banners of MAZ Media and Ziku Films, with Harshad serving as co-producer and Ashra Mohammed as Executive Producer. The film features an ensemble cast including Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Rajesh Madhavan, Saaf Boi, Binu Pappu, Sreekanth Vettiyar, Gokulan, Aneesh G, Salim Hassan, Dinesh Prabhakar, Rajesh Paravoor, Shameer (Chooral), Subin Tarzan, Arun Pradeep, Lala Malappuram, Stini Francis, Haris Saleem and Viru Vivek in pivotal roles.

On the technical front, the film's music is composed by Electronic Kili, with editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali, cinematography by Fahad Fatli, and art direction by Arshad Nakkoth and Rejeesh K. Surya. Visual effects are handled by Mindstein Studios, while sound design is by Sachin Sudhakaran and Hariharan M of Sync Cinema.

What to Expect

With its CBFC certification in hand and a release date confirmed, 'Orijinal' is set to test whether Malayalam cinema's appetite for genre-blending narratives extends to the time-travel space — a format that has found recent success across Indian language films. All eyes will be on the opening-weekend numbers when the film hits screens on 23 October.