Bramayugam, the latest horror film starring Mammootty, has indeed captured the attention of cinephiles with its gripping narrative and spine-tingling sequences. Bramayugam breaks away from the usual horror film palette. Shot entirely in black and white, it creates an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere. The 1700s setting adds to the mystique, transporting us to an old palace where secrets fester and shadows dance.
Unlike typical Indian horror films with jump scares and weak climaxes, Bramayugam leans toward psychological thriller territory. This genre shift is refreshing and could potentially influence Indian horror cinema moving forward. Let’s delve into the intriguing world of this movie and explore its ending, shall we?
Bramayugam: A Haunting Tale
Bramayugam, directed by Rahul Sadasivan, takes us back to 17th-century South Malabar. The story revolves around Arjun Ashokan’s character, Thevan, who escapes from slavery only to stumble upon a mysterious mansion deep within the forest. The film’s decision to be entirely shot in black and white adds an eerie and atmospheric dimension, immersing viewers in the historical setting and emphasizing its exploration of fear and the unknown.
Bramayugam isn’t your run-of-the-mill horror flick. Director Rahul Sadasivan weaves an allegorical tale where power dynamics take center stage. The powerful Kodumon Potti (played by the legendary Mammootty) engages in a high-stakes game of dice with a wandering singer (Arjun Ashokan). The stakes? Freedom versus time—the singer’s only commodity. It’s a battle between haves and have-nots, and we, the audience, are unwittingly drawn into this timeless loop within the manor’s labyrinthine walls.
The film’s pacing mirrors the inhabitants’ mindset: trapped, with nights longer than days, clinging to hope for escape. The cook (Siddharth Bharathan) shares the singer’s trauma, both caught in the same loop of servitude. But Potti’s sorcerer-like powers ensure that entering is easy; leaving? Impossible. His false sense of equality lures victims before ensnaring them with trickery. In this age beyond karma, they exist in Bramayugam—an aberration within the absent God’s Kaliyugam. It’s a cynical view of how power corrupts absolutely.
The Enigmatic Mansion and Sinister Secrets
As Thevan explores the labyrinthine corridors of the mansion, he uncovers a web of deceit and supernatural forces. Despite the stark caste divide between him and Manakkal Kodumon Potti (portrayed by Mammootty), Thevan is welcomed into the mansion. However, sinister secrets lie within its walls. The discovery of a burial ground adjacent to the house foreshadows the horrors that await him. The malevolent entity known as Chaathan becomes central to the unfolding drama.
The Climactic Battle Against Darkness
The tension escalates as Thevan confronts Kodumon Potti and his cook in a desperate bid to escape the clutches of evil. A deadly game ensues, culminating in a climactic battle against the forces of darkness. Just when victory seems within reach, the true extent of Chaathan’s power is revealed, plunging Thevan into a nightmarish struggle for survival. The film’s haunting conclusion blurs the line between reality and illusion, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Monochromatic Spell
Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal, the sorcerer behind the lens, conjures a world devoid of color—a chiaroscuro playground where light and shadow dance a spectral waltz. The absence of color strips away distractions, leaving raw emotion and stark contrasts. Black and white become characters themselves, whispering secrets and obscuring truths.
The choice of monochrome isn’t mere aesthetics; it’s a deliberate pact with the supernatural. It transports us to a bygone era, where superstitions held sway, and the unseen lurked in every corner. The grainy texture evokes old photographs—faded memories and forgotten curses etched into silver halides.
Visual Techniques of Fear
Jalal employs visual alchemy to evoke dread. His camera prowls through the mansion’s dimly lit corridors, revealing cracked walls, cobwebbed chandeliers, and portraits with eyes that follow you. Each frame is a riddle—an invitation to decipher hidden meanings. Shadows elongate, swallowing characters whole, while candle flames flicker like lost souls seeking escape.
The granary, with its secrets and ever-burning lamp, becomes a chamber of suspense. Jalal’s lens lingers on the mundane—a rusted lock, a gnarled tree branch tapping against the window. These details amplify unease, making us question reality. Is that shadow just a trick of light, or does it harbor something malevolent?
Musical Notes of Tension
Cristo Xavier’s haunting compositions are the film’s heartbeat. They tiptoe along our spine, raising goosebumps. The score knows when to swell and when to retreat, mirroring the characters’ inner turmoil. It’s as if the very air hums with ancient chants and forgotten curses.
Listen closely during pivotal moments—the crescendo as Thevan uncovers the truth, the dissonance when Kodumon Potti’s facade cracks. Xavier’s music is a spectral guide, leading us deeper into the labyrinth of madness.
The Manor as a Character
Jalal transforms the abandoned mana into a living, breathing entity. Its cracked walls sag with memories, its creaking floors echo forgotten footsteps. The attic, where the Chathan is imprisoned, becomes a metaphysical battleground. The camera angles—sometimes tilted, sometimes disorienting—mirror the characters’ fractured psyches.
When Thevan gazes out of the window, we see not just the landscape but also the weight of centuries—the sins, the curses, and the unquiet dead. The manor’s decay mirrors Kodumon Potti’s soul, both crumbling under the weight of their pasts.
The Chaathan: Mythical Power and Oppression
At the heart of Bramayugam lies the Chaathan—a mythical figure deeply rooted in Kerala folklore. But what does the Chaathan represent? It’s more than just a supernatural entity; it’s a metaphor for power, oppression, and the unseen forces that shape our lives.
In Kerala, the Chaathan is both feared and coveted. It’s an unseen power—sometimes malevolent, sometimes protective. In the film, the Chaathan is gifted to Chudalan Potti (Kodumon Potti’s ancestor) by Goddess Varahi. But Chudalan Potti abuses this power, leading to rebellion. The Chaathan sucks in Potti’s soul, and thus begins its reign in the ancestral mansion.
Interestingly, the Chaathan embodies duality: oppressor and oppressed. It’s both master and prisoner. To have control, it needs to be imprisoned in Potti’s body. This twist—where the oppressor becomes the oppressed—is a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of power dynamics.
The Cook and Thevan: Social Strata and Rebellion
The unnamed cook (played by Siddharth Bharathan) and the folk singer, Thevan (Arjun Ashokan), represent different social strata. The cook, Kodumon Potti’s son from a low-caste maid, knows the mansion’s secrets. Thevan, an outsider, stumbles into this web of power.
Their alliance becomes a rebellion against the Chaathan. The cook uses Thevan to diminish its power. Here, the film mirrors real-world struggles—how the oppressed find strength in unity and challenge oppressive systems.
Power Corrupts Absolutely
The central characters—Kodumon Potti, the cook, and Thevan—represent three classes perpetually at odds. The film becomes an allegory on power. Kodumon Potti’s autocratic rule, fueled by the Chaathan, corrupts him absolutely.
The struggle isn’t just between humans; it’s cosmic—the clash of gods, spirits, and mortals. And within this struggle, the Chaathan maneuvers, seeking its own liberation from bondage.
Mammootty’s Tour de Force Performance
Ah, Mammootty—a name that resonates through the corridors of Indian cinema like a haunting melody. In Bramayugam, Mammootty steps into the shoes of Kodumon Potti, the enigmatic master of the decaying mansion. And oh, what a performance!
His entry is grand—an event in itself. The anticipation builds, and when he finally graces the screen, it’s as if the very air holds its breath. Sinister, calculative, and menacing—those are the shades Mammootty paints onto Kodumon Potti’s canvas. His body language, especially the way he chews with his teeth out, sends shivers down your spine. It’s eerie, unsettling, and utterly captivating.
Writer Murali Gopi aptly calls Mammootty the patriarch of acting. And why not? With a career spanning over five decades and a staggering 450+ movies, Mammootty remains a force to be reckoned with. But here’s the magic: Despite this vast canvas of roles, Mammootty brings a fresh and dynamic dimension to Kodumon Potti. His versatility shines through—the ability to slip into character like a well-worn cloak. It’s not just acting; it’s alchemy—a blend of craft, intuition, and sheer presence.
As you watch Bramayugam, you might sense a faint echo—a ghostly whisper from the past. It’s reminiscent of Bhaskara Pattelar, a character Mammootty portrayed in Vidheyan (1994). But this isn’t repetition; it’s evolution. Kodumon Potti is cut from a different cloth—a darker, more complex fabric. Mammootty peels back layers, revealing vulnerability, malevolence, and the weight of centuries. It’s a performance that lingers, like the lingering scent of old books in a forgotten library.
Bramayugam teaches us a lesson in filmmaking: Minimalism can be rewarding. The story revolves around just three characters—the paanan (Arjun Ashokan), the cook (Siddharth Bharathan), and Kodumon Potti. No sprawling star cast, no extravagant locations. And yet, we’re spellbound. Why? Because Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, and Siddharth Bharathan breathe life into their roles. Their veshti-clad simplicity becomes a canvas for emotions. Mammootty’s range—from quiet intensity to explosive rage—is a masterclass in acting.
Mammootty delivers a remarkable performance as Kodumon Potti, with his sinister laughter echoing long after the credits roll. His portrayal adds depth to the enigmatic character and contributes significantly to the film’s impact. Mammootty’s portrayal in Bramayugam transcends mere acting. It’s an invocation—an eerie dance with shadows, a pact with the unseen.
Critical Acclaim and Mythical Folklore
Bramayugam stands out as a cinematic gem that transcends the typical horror genre. Combining mystery, drama, and rich mythical folklore from Kerala, it offers a compelling narrative that captivates audiences. The film has garnered praise for its innovative storytelling and chilling atmosphere.
Interestingly, the term “Chaathan” (the malevolent entity) has connections to Dravidian-origin gods, such as Shasta. Some theories suggest that “Chaathan” might be a corrupted version of the name “Shasta.” The ancient Punchaman family of Kottayam is said to worship Balashastav or the Kutti Chaathan, highlighting the cultural context embedded in the film.
In summary, Bramayugam is more than just a horror movie; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of fear, power, and the supernatural, all wrapped in a visually striking package.
