Trisha Krishnan leads Raja Krishna Menon's Tamil debut in psychological horror
Synopsis
Raja Krishna Menon — the director behind Airlift and Pippa — is stepping into Tamil cinema for the first time with a women-led psychological horror drama starring Trisha Krishnan, Radhika Sarathkumar, and Aparna Balamurali. Shooting has begun in London, and Menon says he’s ditching jump scares for character-driven dread. This is one of the more unexpected creative pivots in recent Indian cinema.
Key Takeaways
Raja Krishna Menon has begun principal photography in London on an untitled psychological horror drama.
The film stars Trisha Krishnan , Radhika Sarathkumar , and National Award-winning actress Aparna Balamurali .
It marks Menon’s first Tamil-language film, first psychological horror, and first women-centred story.
Menon has said the film will prioritise atmospheric, character-driven tension over conventional jump scares.
The project is produced by Panorama Studios (Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak) and Locomotive Global (Sundar Aaron, Vikas Sharma, Amit Dalmia).
Director Raja Krishna Menon has described his collaboration with actress Trisha Krishnan on their upcoming untitled psychological horror drama as “a privilege,” marking what he calls one of the most personally significant creative journeys of his career. The film, which has commenced principal photography in London, is Menon’s first Tamil-language project and his first foray into the horror genre.
A First in Many Ways for the Director
Known for helming high-stakes dramas including Airlift, Chef, and Pippa, Menon is venturing into distinctly new territory with this project. “Someone once quite aptly called me ‘genre agnostic,’ and this film is another exploration in that journey,” he said. “This is a story that is a first for me in many ways — my first film in Tamil, my first psychological horror, and my first story centred entirely around women.”
The film’s ensemble cast includes industry veterans Radhika Sarathkumar and National Award-winning actress Aparna Balamurali, alongside Trisha Krishnan in what promises to be a women-led narrative at its core.
Atmosphere Over Jump Scares
Menon has signalled a deliberate departure from conventional horror tropes. Rather than relying on predictable jump scares, he aims to build a dark, atmospheric world where character-driven emotion is the primary engine of dread. This approach aligns with a growing wave of psychological horror in Indian cinema that prioritises psychological tension over spectacle.
Notably, the film’s London shoot suggests a non-traditional setting for Tamil cinema — a choice that could amplify the sense of isolation and unease central to the genre.
What the Director Said About His Collaborators
Menon was candid about the role his producers have played in enabling his creative vision. “Panorama Studios and Kumar Mangat ji have been incredibly supportive of my creative process, while Vikas and Sunder from Locomotive Global share the same commitment to telling the story the way it should be told, without a compromise,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better set of people to take this new journey with.”
Production and What to Expect Next
The film is produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak of Panorama Studios, in association with Sundar Aaron, Vikas Sharma, and Amit Dalmia of Locomotive Global. Principal photography is now underway in London, though a release timeline has not yet been announced. With Menon’s track record of genre-defying work and a cast of this calibre, the project is already among the more anticipated Tamil productions in the pipeline.
Point of View
New genre, new gender lens. The real question is whether a filmmaker whose reputation rests on grounded, male-driven thrillers can translate that craft into psychological horror centred on women. Tamil audiences have a sophisticated relationship with the genre, and Trisha Krishnan carries enormous expectation in that market. The London setting is an interesting choice — it could either elevate the film’s atmosphere or feel like an affectation. The cast depth, with Radhika Sarathkumar and Aparna Balamurali alongside Trisha, suggests Menon is betting on performance over production design to carry the horror.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raja Krishna Menon’s new film with Trisha Krishnan about?
The film is an untitled psychological horror drama that centres entirely around women. It is Raja Krishna Menon’s first Tamil-language project and first horror film, with principal photography underway in London.
Who else stars in the film besides Trisha Krishnan?
The film also features veteran actress Radhika Sarathkumar and National Award-winning actress Aparna Balamurali, making it a strong women-led ensemble cast.
Why is this film significant for Raja Krishna Menon?
It represents three firsts for the director simultaneously — his debut in Tamil cinema, his first psychological horror film, and his first story built entirely around women. Menon is previously known for Hindi films like Airlift, Chef, and Pippa.
Where is the film being shot?
Principal photography has officially begun in London, marking an international production setting that is relatively uncommon for Tamil-language films.
Who is producing the film?
The film is produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak of Panorama Studios, in association with Sundar Aaron, Vikas Sharma, and Amit Dalmia of Locomotive Global.
