Malaya… “Vilayath Buddha” is one of the most anticipated upcoming Indian film among Mollywood Movies, which follows a gritty action-thriller that unveils in the dark underbelly of sandalwood trade, power & existential aspects, cloaked within the picturesque sylvan paradises of Marayoor.
Directed by Jayan Nambiar, a former associate of the late Sachy, this adaptation of G.R. Indugopan’s acclaimed novel features Prithviraj Sukumaran in a powerful lead role as the cunning smuggler Double Mohanan.
Executive produced by Sandeep Senan under Urvashi Theatres, and co-produced by A.V. Anoop’s AVA Productions, the film is expected to feature raw intensity, edgy visuals and a rural crime narrative. As per reports, while the teaser was launched on September 5, 2025; a new poster has been unveiled on November 5 and the Ajai Vasudev directorial will hit theatres worldwide on November 21, weeks prior to Mammootty’s Kalamkaval (Nov 27), thus paving way for an epic box-office battle.
Vilayath Buddha Movie Plot: A Teacher–Student Conflict Over a Priceless Sandalwood Tree
At the heart of Vilayath Buddha lies a tense power struggle between Bhaskaran Master (Shammi Thilakan), a principled teacher who nurtures a rare premium-grade sandalwood tree—“Vilayath Buddha”, prized for making Buddha idols—and his former student Double Mohanan (Prithviraj Sukumaran), now a ruthless smuggler bent on claiming it for himself.
A developing friendship turns into jealousy and conflict, with Mohanan’s greed eventually sparking a volatile situation that reveals how trust can be thin, power seductive, friendships suffocating, and innocence corrupted in rural Kerala.
Directed by Jayan Nambiar, from a screenplay by G.R. Indugopan and Rajesh Pinnadan, the movie widens the emotional and ethical layers of its source material while infusing it with fresh cinematic tension. Anticipate high-stakes action, riveting dialogue and reimagined ending combining the pumping adrenaline of a crime thriller with raw human drama.
Fans of Kurup or Anjaam Pathiraa will find Vilayath Buddha equally thrilling — a deep, character-driven tale questioning the price of progress in Kerala’s wild heartlands.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew of Vilayath Buddha Movie
The film features a stellar Malayalam ensemble that amplifies its rustic and intense tone:
| Actor | Role Highlights | Notable Insights |
| Prithviraj Sukumaran | Double Mohanan – a cunning sandalwood smuggler | Channeling Aadujeevitham-level intensity; morally layered anti-hero |
| Shammi Thilakan | Bhaskaran Master – principled mentor | Emotional core; teacher–student rivalry defines the story |
| Priyamvada Krishnan | Mohanan’s love interest | Adds romantic depth and emotional balance |
| Anu Mohan | Smuggling ring ally | Adds intrigue and kinetic action to the narrative |
| Kottayam Ramesh | Rural character in Marayoor’s underbelly | Grounds the story in authentic realism |
| Tejeenthan Arunasalam | Maari – Tamil-speaking antagonist | Bilingual villain; wrote his own dialogues for authenticity |
Behind the camera, Renadive and Arvind Kashyap (Kantara) capture the lush yet dangerous beauty of Marayoor. Jakes Bejoy (Lokah) scores the haunting background and the viral track “Katturasa.” Under Urvashi Theatres, Jayan Nambiar’s debut balances visual poetry with thriller precision.
Also Read: Dheeram Movie: Indrajith Sukumaran’s Gripping Investigative Thriller
Vilayath Buddha Teaser, Trailer, and Release Date: Marayoor’s Shadows Unveiled
The teaser, released on September 5, 2025, runs 1 minute 30 seconds of brooding intensity—featuring misty forest visuals, simmering tension, and Jakes Bejoy’s ominous score that hints at the tree’s fatal allure.
The upcoming poster (November 5) featuring Prithviraj amid sandalwood shards has already gone viral. The official trailer, expected mid-November, will unveil more on the film’s action peaks and romantic undertones.
Principal photography began in October 2022, enduring Prithviraj’s 2023 injury delay, and has now wrapped post-production with a U/A certificate. Set for November 21, 2025, the film will also release in dubbed pan-India versions, with early bookings via BookMyShow opening soon.
Social Media Buzz: Prithviraj Fans Anticipate a Smuggling Saga for the Ages
The excitement for Vilayath Buddha is already spreading online. From X threads praising its “smuggling suspense vibe” to Instagram reels recreating ‘Katturasa’ in forest settings, anticipation is high.
Hashtags #VilayathBuddha and #PrithvirajNovember21 are trending in Malayalam film circles, while Reddit threads have referred to it alternately as “Indugopan’s best cinematic adaptation yet.” First reports also suggest Franchise will take a ₹50 crore opening at the box office, especially after fans await to see the ‘next performance’ of Prithviraj following Aadujeevitham.
In a year that’s not short of thrillers, Vilayath Buddha intrigues with literary lineage and hard-boiled reality, which houses layers of intensity.
Conclusion: Vilayath Buddha — A Smoldering Thriller Igniting November 21
As Vilayath Buddha releases on November 21, 2025, hope it’s an audio-visual experience that is as fragrant as the sandalwood and sharp as its axe.
Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran in a stunning lead turn alongside Shammi Thilakan and underscored by Jakes Bejoy’s piercing score, Jayan Nambiar’s inaugural offering carries depth that isn’t confined to adaptation but is instead a fiery meditation upon legacy, hunger and redemption. Amidst November’s big releases, Vilayath Buddha promises to stand tall — a tale that roots itself deep and refuses to fade.