Masthishka Maranam (2026)

Synopsis

Masthishka Maranam (transl. Brain Death) is a Malayalam-language found-footage horror film written and directed by Arun Chidambaram. It follows a group of friends who set out to create a documentary about the urban legend "Koyilandi Jinn," an evil spirit believed to haunt the forests of Kozhikode. As they venture deeper into the woods, they encounter supernatural forces that challenge their sanity. The film stars Ramesh K. Das, Sreejith, and Ambili in lead roles, and was released on January 31, 2025.

Full Story

A group of four friends—Arjun, a aspiring filmmaker; Rameshan, a curious researcher; Sreejith, a skeptic; and Ambili, a nature enthusiast—decide to make a documentary about the legendary "Koyilandi Jinn," a malevolent spirit said to haunt the dense forests near Kozhikode. Armed with cameras and recording equipment, they venture into the forbidden woods despite warnings from locals. Initially, their journey is filled with excitement and adventure. They capture beautiful footage of the forest and share light moments around campfires. But on the second night, strange sounds echo through the trees—whispers, footsteps, and a rhythmic drumming that seems to come from nowhere. Rameshan, who had secretly read ancient texts about the Jinn, begins acting strangely. He talks to himself and draws mysterious symbols in his notebook. The others dismiss it as stress, until they wake up to find Rameshan missing from his tent. Searching frantically, they discover him standing motionless near a cliff, facing away from them. When they call his name, he turns around with eyes completely black, speaking in a voice that isn't his: "You came looking for the Jinn. The Jinn has found you." What follows is a terrifying night where the friends are hunted one by one by an unseen force. Their cameras capture unexplainable events—floating objects, shadow figures, and the haunting laughter of the Jinn. As their numbers dwindle, the survivors realize they aren't just documenting a legend—they've become part of it. The film unfolds entirely through their recovered footage, leaving viewers to piece together what truly happened in those haunted woods.