Raiza Wilson's 'Nova' release date shifted to October 9
Synopsis
Raiza Wilson's genre-bending debut in horror sci-fi, 'Nova', has been through two postponements before landing on an October 9 release. Shot under extreme conditions inside Kerala's protected sandalwood forests — leeches, rain, wild-animal sounds and all — the film is director Milo's ambitious first feature, blending action, thriller, and supernatural sci-fi in a story-within-a-story structure.
Key Takeaways
Raiza Wilson 's horror sci-fi thriller 'Nova' is now set for a worldwide release on 9 October 2026 .
The film was previously postponed from September 25 and again from October 1 .
The CBFC has certified 'Nova' with a U/A certificate .
Principal photography took place in the Marayoor forests of Kerala , including inside protected sandalwood forests .
The cast includes Dhruva , Adviti Shetty , Krithika Biswas , Joe John Chacko , Sendrayan , and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna .
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Milo , with action choreography by stunt master Vimal Rambo .
Actress Raiza Wilson's much-anticipated horror science-fiction thriller 'Nova', directed by first-time feature filmmaker Milo, has had its release date revised to 9 October 2026 for a worldwide theatrical rollout. The announcement was originally made for an October 1 release, but the date has now been updated, following an earlier postponement from September 25.
Release and Certification
The film has already received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a U/A certificate. Raiza Wilson shared the certification poster on her Instagram page, captioning it: 'A fun sci-fi film for everyone.' Cinematographer Christo Bob's release announcement was shared by director Milo on his own social media handle.
What the Film Is About
'Nova' blends elements of action, thriller, supernatural fantasy, and science-fiction into what the team describes as a 'story within a story' structure. Raiza Wilson plays a key character who appears in the flashback portions of the narrative. 'The movie combines elements of action, thriller, and science-fiction. I have never acted in a story or role like this before, which is exactly why I was drawn to it,' she said. The shoot took place primarily in the forests of Marayoor, Kerala, including inside protected sandalwood forests — locations that required special permissions to access.
A Gruelling Shoot in Marayoor's Forests
Wilson, best known for her role in 'Pyaar Prema Kaadhal', described the production as the most physically demanding of her career. 'There were many challenges — blood-sucking leeches, constant mist and rain, the intimidating sounds of wild animals, and muddy, slippery paths. Before going there, I thought the shoot would be quite easy. I had no idea it would be so demanding,' she explained. Despite the conditions, the team completed the shoot on schedule without delays, she noted, crediting director Milo's ability to maintain a 'positive and energetic' atmosphere on set.
Action Training and Stunt Work
The film features action sequences choreographed under the guidance of stunt master Vimal Rambo, who provided Wilson with specialised training. Wilson also drew on prior fight training she had undertaken for her film 'Mr. X', which she said made performing the action scenes in 'Nova' comparatively smoother. 'It is remarkable that he chose such a complex story for his very first feature film. It takes a lot of courage,' Wilson said of director Milo.
Cast and Crew
Alongside Raiza Wilson, the ensemble cast of 'Nova' includes Dhruva of 'Aanmai Thavarael', Adviti Shetty, Bengali actress Krithika Biswas, Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan, and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna. The film marks an ambitious debut for director Milo, whose decision to anchor his first feature in a densely layered genre story has drawn attention from within the Tamil film industry. All eyes are now on the 9 October box-office opening.
Point of View
But for a debut director working in a niche genre, each delay tests audience patience built on social media traction alone. 'Nova' is banking heavily on Raiza Wilson's fan base and the novelty of its forest-shot aesthetic — neither of which guarantees a strong opening in a market that has grown cautious about small-to-mid-budget genre experiments. Director Milo's choice to shoot inside Kerala's sandalwood reserves is a genuine creative differentiator, but the film's commercial fate will ultimately depend on whether its genre blend translates to repeat-viewing word-of-mouth. The U/A certificate broadens the potential audience, which is the one clear structural advantage heading into the October 9 weekend.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is 'Nova' releasing in theatres?
Raiza Wilson's horror sci-fi thriller 'Nova' is now scheduled to release worldwide on 9 October 2026. The film was previously postponed twice — first from September 25, then from October 1.
Who stars in the Tamil film 'Nova'?
Raiza Wilson leads the cast of 'Nova', supported by Dhruva of 'Aanmai Thavarael', Adviti Shetty, Bengali actress Krithika Biswas, Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan, and YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna.
Where was 'Nova' filmed?
'Nova' was shot primarily in the forests of Marayoor in Kerala, including inside protected sandalwood forests that required special permissions to access. Raiza Wilson described the conditions as the most physically demanding shoot of her career.
What is the CBFC certificate for 'Nova'?
The Central Board of Film Certification has cleared 'Nova' for release with a U/A certificate, meaning it is suitable for all audiences, though parental guidance is advised for younger viewers.
Who is directing 'Nova' and what genre is it?
'Nova' is directed by Milo, marking his debut feature film. It is described as a horror science-fiction supernatural fantasy thriller with action sequences, structured as a story within a story, with key scenes set in flashback.
