| Sarvam Maya | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Akhil Sathyan |
| Written by | Akhil Sathyan |
| Produced by | Ajayya Kumar Rajeev Menon |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sharan Velayudhan |
| Edited by | Akhil Sathyan Rathin Radhakrishnan |
| Music by | Justin Prabhakaran |
Production companies | Firefly Films Akhil Sathyan Films |
| Distributed by | Central Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Box office | est. ₹150 crore[2] |
Sarvam Maya (transl. Everything is an Illusion) is a 2025 IndianMalayalam-languagesupernaturalromanticcomedy film written and directed by Akhil Sathyan.[3] Produced by Firefly Films, the film starsNivin Pauly in the lead role andRiya Shibu in the title role along withPreity Mukhundhan,Aju Varghese, andJanardhanan.[4] The film is produced by Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon under Firefly Productions.[5][6]
Sarvam Maya released worldwide on 25 December 2025 in theatres, coinciding withChristmas.[7][8] The film received critical acclaim with praise for the performances (particularly of Nivin Pauly and Riya Shibu), direction, music, pacing, execution, story, humour, cinematography, screenplay, and light-heartedness. It has emerged as thefourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 and one of thehighest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Critics describedSarvam Maya as the commercial comeback of Pauly, following a series of unsuccessful films.
Prabhendu Namboothiri is an aspiringguitarist and an atheist born into a traditionalBrahmin priest family inKerala. After his visa application to aEuropean country is rejected, he returns to his hometown ofPalakkad. Unable to find stable work, he temporarily assists his cousin Roopesh, who works as a priest and starts earning money.
The exorcism ritual he is partaking in at an advocate’s house seemingly is successful. But soon after, Prabhendu starts experiencing the presence of a young woman visible only to him. The woman has no memory of her identity or past, and Prabhendu casually nicknames her “Delulu”. As he continues pursuing his music career, Delulu accompanies him, and the two gradually form a close emotional bond.
Delulu begins to show human-like behaviour, including taking Prabhendu’s belongings, ordering clothes, and interacting with her surroundings, which at times creates confusion for people around him. She also urges Prabhendu to speak to his estranged father, with whom he has not had a meaningful conversation for several years following the death of his mother. Prabhendu also forms a friendship with Saadhya, the manager of aBollywood music director fromMumbai who brings Prabhendu to his attention.
Over time, Delulu develops romantic feelings for Prabhendu, but he hesitates to respond, stating that such a relationship is not possible.
Later, Prabhendu narrowly escapes a serious road accident, after which Delulu begins to recover memories of her past. She remembers that her name is Maya Mathew Manjooran and that she lives with her family inKuttikkanam inIdukki. Maya is in love with her senior and travels with her family to propose to him. During this journey, she meets with a vehicular accident that eventually leads to her being declaredbrain-dead.
After fully recalling her past, Maya embraces Prabhendu, during which Prabhendu experiences her memories and sheds a tear. With her story acknowledged and understood, Maya disappears peacefully.
Prabhendu later travels to Kuttikkanam and meets Maya’s mother, introducing himself as her friend. When Maya’s mother asks whether he is the one Maya loved, Prabhendu pauses before answering in the affirmative and says yes. As he leaves the house, he feels a gentle breeze, recalling Maya’s earlier reference to it as a form of her presence. In the end, Prabhendu fulfills his dream of becoming amusician guided by Maya's memories.
In December 2023,Nivin Pauly announced he was collaborating with director Akhil Sathyan for the latter's sophomore directorial. Sathyan's debut film,Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (2023), was initially set to feature Pauly as the lead actor before he was replaced withFahadh Faasil.[9] Sathyan confirmed the project the following May.[10] The official title,Sarvam Maya, was announced in July 2025.[11]The theatrical release date poster was revealed on 20 November 2025.[12]Principal photography wrapped in November 2025.[13]
The music and background score is composed byJustin Prabhakaran
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chiri Thottu" | Manu Manjith, Aron Mathew (English) | Chinmayi Sripada, Justin Prabhakar, Weldon | 4:32 |
| 2. | "Vellarathaaram" | Manu Manjith | Vineeth sreenivasan | 4:39 |
| 3. | "Puthu Mazha" | Manu Manjith | Shakthisree Gopalan | 4:22 |
| 4. | "Mayajaalame" | Manu Manjith | Sooraj Santhosh | 4:27 |
| 5. | "Nearer My God To Thee - Delulu's Goodbye" | Sarah Flower Adams | Justin Prabhakaran, Sarah Flower Adams | 2:53 |
| 6. | "Nokkada Nammude - Fight Remix" | Kunchan Nambiar | Kalamandalam Prasoon, Kalamandalam Kavya, Geethanandan | 1:38 |
| 7. | ""Puthu Mazha" Chilltrap Remix" | The Independeners (by Joyal Joy Francis and Sahul Hameed | 3:58 |
Sarvam Maya was released on 25 December 2025, coinciding withChristmas.[14][15]
The post-theatrical digital streaming rights ofSarvam Maya were acquired byJioHotstar. The film began streaming on the platform from 30 January 2026.[16]
Sarvam Maya received positive reviews from critics.
Sajin Shrijith ofThe Week gave 4/5 stars and wrote "The film marks the triumphant return of Nivin Pauly to his beloved charming persona in a feel-good fantasy directed by Akhil Sathyan, who presents a heartwarming 'ghost-as-angel' story, perfect for the holiday season"[17] Gayathiri Krishna ofOTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese are portrayed in Akhil Sathyan's film in a way that appeals to Malayalis. Additionally, Riya Shibu is a real find."[18] Janani K ofIndia Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Sarvam Maya is a wholesome film with a lot of heart. The pace of the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, butSarvam Maya is a film that deserves to receive as much love as it gives."[19] Risha Ganguly ofTimes Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "For viewers looking for a festive release that offers light chills, gentle laughs and introspection,Sarvam Maya proves to be a decent choice."[20]
Onmanorama termed it a modest fantasy that relies on character dynamics and situational humour rather than melodrama.[21]Zoom TV wrote that the film offers a restrained blend of belief and anxiety, focusing more on atmosphere and performances than conventional scares.[22]