Saiju Kurup's 'Harivarasanam' hits day 30 of shoot; BTS from Sabarimala set
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Devotional Malayalam film Harivarasanam, starring Saiju Kurup in the lead, has reached its 30th day of shooting, director Rajesh Nair confirmed on Friday, 7 August, sharing a behind-the-scenes photograph from the sets that offered fans their first glimpse of the film's elaborate production.
What the BTS Picture Revealed
Director Rajesh Nair took to his Instagram page to post the update, accompanied by a photograph showing the film's cinematographer Sajad Kaaku framing a shot of actors dressed as devotees lined up to climb the iconic 18 steps at Sabarimala. Kaaku was also seen holding a microphone towards the performers, indicating a live-sound or reference-audio setup on set. The image offered a rare look at the scale of the production, which has recreated the famed Sabarimala temple environment on a purpose-built set.
Yogi Babu's Arrival Adds to the Buzz
The film's momentum has been building steadily, with the recent addition of Tamil comedian Yogi Babu to the cast generating fresh excitement among fans. A week before the day-30 update, actor Saiju Kurup had personally welcomed Yogi Babu to the unit via his own Instagram page, posting a picture of the two together with the caption: '#Harivarasanam, the divine tale continues. Happy to welcome onboard, Shri Yogi Babu. Get ready for an intense blend of emotion, devotion, and powerful storytelling.' The casting adds a cross-industry dimension to what is already a high-profile devotional project.
Production Background and Creative Team
The film went on floors in early July 2025 with a pooja ceremony held at the Chitranjali Studio in Thiruvananthapuram, where a grand set replicating the Sabarimala temple was erected. It is being produced by Vinayaka Ajith under the banner Ajith Vinayaka Films. The story has been penned by Ampadhy K, while production design is handled by R Jayachandran. Music for the film is composed by Ranjin Raj, editing is by Ajiesh Edamon, costumes are by Stephy Zaviour, production design on set is by Rakhil, and production control is managed by Sasi Poduval.
Director Rajesh Nair's Track Record
Rajesh Nair, credited here as director_rajeshmohanan on social media, is best known for directing Salt Mango Tree and Thrissur Pooram — both of which earned critical attention in Malayalam cinema. Harivarasanam marks his foray into the devotional genre, a segment that has historically drawn large audiences in Kerala given the cultural centrality of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. With a technically accomplished crew and a cast that now bridges Malayalam and Tamil audiences, the project is shaping up as one of the more anticipated devotional releases in recent memory.
With 30 days of filming wrapped, the production appears to be progressing on schedule, and further updates on the release timeline are expected in the weeks ahead.