The official trailer of Theatre: The Myth of Reality, a thought-provoking Malayalam film written and directed by Sajin Babu, was launched at the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival – Marche du Film. Featuring acclaimed actors Reema Kallingal and Sarsa Balussery in lead roles, the trailer was unveiled by celebrated Indian filmmaker Sudhir Mishra in France, marking a momentous occasion for Indian independent cinema on the world stage.
The launch event was attended by Indo-German Film Week Festival Director Stephan Ottenbruch as the chief guest, along with a distinguished gathering of filmmakers and artists including Dr. Biju Damodaran, Prakash Bare, Chhaya Kadam, M.N. Gaur, and several other film professionals from India, Germany, China, and France. The trailer received an enthusiastic and heartfelt response from international audiences and cinema experts, bringing pride and validation to the entire team behind the project.
Following his National Award-winning film Biriyaani, Sajin Babu returns with Theatre: The Myth of Reality, a story that explores vanishing cultural traditions, feminine mysticism, and the thin, often-blurred lines between myth and reality. The film is produced by Anjana Philip and Philip Zachariah under the banner of Anjana Talkies, with Santosh Kottayi serving as co-producer. Set against the mysterious and visually rich backdrop of Illikkal Island in Kerala, the film delves into the intertwined lives of two women who believe that a supernatural curse lies at the root of their pain — in contrast to the modern world that dismisses such beliefs. Through its haunting aesthetic and richly layered narrative, the film offers a surreal and spiritual cinematic experience.
At the trailer launch, director Sajin Babu shared his emotions, stating, “Being at the Cannes Film Festival feels like a dream. Representing the Malayalam film industry on this platform is a deeply fulfilling and proud moment. We’ve poured our hearts into this film, and seeing it being embraced here is truly rewarding.”
The film stars a robust ensemble cast including Den Davis, Pramod Velliyanad, Krishnan Balakrishnan, Megha Rajan, N. Salim, Balaji Sharma, D. Raghuthaman, Akhil Kavalyur, Aparna Sen, Lakshmi Padma, Meena Rajan, RJ Anjali, Meenakshi Ravindran, Ashwati, Arun Sol, and Ratheesh Rohini. Reema Kallingal has already received the Best Actress Award at the Kerala Film Critics Awards for her role in the film, further building anticipation for its release.
The film’s technical team boasts significant talent, with Shyamaprakash M.S. as the cinematographer, Appu Bhattathiri as the editor, and music by Saeed Abbas. Costume design is by Gayathri Kishore, while prosthetics and makeup are handled by Sethu Sivanandan and Esh Ashraf. The film also benefits from the expertise of Harikumar Madhavan Nair in sync sound, and Jubin Raj in both sound mixing and design, alongside Sajin Babu. Ajith Sagar serves as the executive producer, with Subhash Sunny as the line producer and Dr. Sangeetha Janchandran (Stories Social) managing marketing and communications.
Theatre: The Myth of Reality stands as a unique voice from Indian cinema, representing a bold and artistic approach to storytelling that resonates across cultures. Its recognition at Cannes reaffirms the global potential of regional and independent films that dare to question, explore, and enchant.