A new song from ‘Vadakkan,’ the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller that has been making waves on the international festival circuit, was released on Monday. Titled ‘Kettingo Ninga Kettingo Ninga Vellidivettum Kodithottam…,’ the song is written by B.K. Harinarayanan, composed by Bijibal, and performed by Bhadra Rajin. The lyrical video, now available online, has heightened anticipation for the film’s theatrical release on March 7.

Rooted in the folklore of North Malabar, ‘Vadakkan’ stars Kishore and Shruthy Menon in lead roles. Directed by Sajeed A and produced by Offbeet Studios, the film features a screenplay and dialogues by renowned writer Unni R. Notably, acclaimed Pakistani singer Zebunnisa Bangash has also contributed to the soundtrack, singing a song penned by Bollywood lyricist Shellee.

The film has already garnered significant global recognition, premiering at the 78th Festival Internazionale Del Cinema Di Salerno. It also secured an invite-only market screening at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film 2024, where it was selected in the Fantastic Pavilion category for horror and fantasy films—one of only seven films to receive this honour. The gala screening at Cannes attracted celebrities, Bollywood and Hollywood actors, and genre enthusiasts.

In addition, ‘Vadakkan’ won the Best Supernatural Film award at the Fright Night Festival in the United States, marking a milestone for Malayalam cinema in the global horror genre.

Featuring an experienced crew that includes Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, composer Bijibal, and Japanese cinematographer Keiko Nakahara, ‘Vadakkan’ blends traditional storytelling with modern digital techniques. Drawing inspiration from Dravidian Puranas and ancient folklore, the film has been marketed as a groundbreaking fusion of heritage and technology.

The team has also employed unique promotional strategies, including launching an audio trailer— a first for Malayalam cinema.

Jaideep Singh, founder of Offbeet Studios and Offbeet Media Group, expressed confidence in the film’s potential to connect with international audiences.

“Vadakkan superbly lives up to Offbeet Studios' vision of telling culturally rooted Indian stories for a global audience. The outstanding performances by Kishore, Shruthy, and Merin, brought to life by Sajeed’s direction, alongside our world-class crew, make this a film that will resonate both in India and beyond,” Singh said.

Offbeet Studios, which previously worked on projects such as the US Premier League Cricket and 101India.com, is making its Malayalam cinema debut with ‘Vadakkan’. The studio is known for pushing creative boundaries, including launching the NFT exhibition Myths and Memes in Kochi.

‘Vadakkan,’ which will be released in Malayalam and dubbed in Kannada, is set to hit cinemas in Kerala on March 7. The ensemble cast includes Merin Philip, Kalesh Ramanand, Sirajudheen Nazar, Maala Parvathi, Garggi Ananthan, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, Aryan Kathuria, Ravi Venkatraman, and Greeshma Alex, among others.