Bharatanatyam franchise expands with Rasaleela, the third film announced after the success of Mohiniyattam, set to continue the Saiju Kurup-led film series with returning and new cast members.
The ‘Bharatanatyam’ franchise is set to continue its remarkable journey with a third installment. Riding on the commercial success of ‘Bharatanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam’, the makers have officially announced ‘Bharatanatyam 3: Rasaleela’, which is slated for a theatrical release in 2028.
Actor-producer Saiju Kurup will return to headline the film, while Krishnadas Murali will once again serve as writer and director. The project will be produced by Lini Mariam David and Anupama B. Nambiar under the banners of Saiju Kurup Entertainments and Thomas Thiruvalla Films.
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The announcement was made during the success celebration of ‘Bharatanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam’, held in Ernakulam on June 28. The event brought together the cast and crew of the sequel, which has emerged as a notable box office success.
The technical crew for ‘Rasaleela’ includes cinematographer Bablu Aju, editor Shafeeque V.B. and music composers Electronic Kili. Vishnu R. Pradeep has joined the project as co-writer.
The franchise has had an unusual trajectory. The first film, ‘Bharatanatyam’, struggled at the box office upon its release. However, it found a new audience on streaming platforms, earning critical appreciation and gradually building a loyal fan base. The film followed Sasi, played by Saiju Kurup, as he desperately tried to keep long-hidden family secrets away from inquisitive neighbours and villagers.
The sequel, ‘Bharatanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam’, took the story in a darker direction. Moving beyond the light-hearted tone of the original, the film blended humour, suspense and family drama as buried secrets resurfaced, triggering a series of unexpected developments. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.
The cast of ‘Mohiniyattam’ featured Saiju Kurup, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Jagadish, Vinay Fort, Baby Jean, Kalaranjini, Sreeja Ravi, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Swathi Das Prabhu, Divya Nair, Sruthy Suresh, Nandu Poduval, Jinil, Jivin, Santhosh Guruvayoor, and Nisthar Sait
Most of the principal cast members are expected to reprise their roles in ‘Bharatanatyam 3: Rasaleela’, while the makers are also likely to introduce several new characters as the franchise enters its next chapter.
Published: 30 Jun 2026, 02:50 pm IST
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