Name: Sarvam Maya
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Released: 2025-12-25
Rating: 6.3
Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese

Two longtime friends reunite during a festive season only to encounter unexpected forces, both seen and unseen, that threaten to upend their bond. The reunion triggers a chain of events where laughter meets fear, and familiarity becomes unsettled. Their shared history becomes the ground on which new revelations play out.

Sarvam Maya

Times of India

India Today

NDTV

Sarvam Maya is indulgent and lingering. There might, after all, be an Anthikad genre of films in Malayalam—films that Malayalis feel, instinctively grasp, and recognise for their humour and underlying emotions, all unfolding at that slow, charming pace of everyday life. These films take you to wide paddy fields, temple ponds, tharavadus, and villages; to gentle emotions, familial love, and human follies. They grab your soul and leave you feeling wholesome. And they seem self- aware. The posters of Pachuvum Adbhudha Vilakkum, Varane Avashyamund, and Njan Prakashan —films made respectively by Anoop Sathyan, Akhil Sathyan and Sathyan Anthikad, displayed inside a studio within the film act as a telling projection of the genre
Aptly titled, the film revolves around Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly), an aspiring musician from a family of affluent priests. What happens when an unconventional ghost begins tailing him forms the crux of the narrative. Nivin Pauly—dare it be said—is back in his element. Clearly, what he needed was a director who knew how to use his strengths well. Riya Shibu is phenomenal as the ghost, bringing an unbelievable level of adorability to the character. She carries the film alongside Nivin. At one point, the film even briefly evokes Vismayathumbathu vibes, in the way the supernatural is treated with warmth, whimsy and emotional intimacy. Aju Varghese plays Prabhendu’s cousin, and the duo once again proves their easy chemistry, bromance quotient and all. Preity Mukundan is the other female lead and is good as Sadiya. Madhu Warrier, cast as Nivin’s older brother, is an interesting choice. Janardhanan plays Nivin’s uncle, bringing back a whiff of his ’90s energy. And Aattam director Anand Ekarshi appears as Nivin’s friend and colleague, enjoying considerable screen time—and he is good.
This is not a film with layered meanings or profound storytelling. Its strength lies in its simplicity. The humour is organic and gentle, earning warm-hearted laughs from the audience. The evolution of the story is clear to see—the small moments that push the narrative forward, the subtle changes in the characters, and the careful handling of a subject that could easily have invited criticism. The film feels well thought out.
The first half works as an effective build-up, while the second half slightly lags, even though the plot truly begins to move only then. The changes could have been spread out better to balance the two halves. There is also a certain self-indulgence on Akhil Sathyan’s part—he takes his time getting to the end. Yet, all this feels expected and still leaves the viewer with a sense of joy and calm. What adds an extra emotional layer is how Vineeth and Methil Devika carry their brief appearance towards the end. The emotions they evoke through a simple reaction are deeply shattering, followed by the brother’s response, which lands with equal impact.
The dialogues are mostly effective, though a few moments falter—possibly due to delivery. Akhil has Gen Z lingo firmly in his grasp. There are also endless cameos and numerous characters scattered throughout—some working well, others not so much. Justin Prabhakar’s music doesn’t offer anything extraordinary but syncs neatly with the film’s mood.

Sarvam Maya translates to “everything is an illusion,” and it is perhaps the perfect title for this Nivin Pauly-starrer that blends horror, comedy and fantasy. Releasing on Christmas, the film is an antidote to all the extra-violent, hyper-masculine films that rely on over-the-top theatrics. But, Sarvam Maya leaves you laughing out loud despite tackling sensitive topics like faith, belief and grief.
Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly) is a struggling musician, who proclaims that he's an atheist. As he loses a potential foreign opportunity, he is forced to go back to his hometown, where he has to share his home with his father, whom he barely talks to, and his uncle. To make some quick bucks, he resorts to becoming a priest, following the footsteps of his father and elder brother, despite being a non-believer.

As he cracks a deal with his cousin Roopesh (Aju Varghese), he starts earning money and also records music for low-budget gigs. One day, he is asked to conduct an exorcism at a client's house, which puts him in a spot. He is followed by a spirit, whom he names Delulu (Riya Shibu). The good spirit doesn't remember anything about her. Sarvam Maya is about how the spirit and Prabhendu heal each other.
At its core, Sarvam Maya is a film about closure. Prabhendu is an atheist burdened by unresolved trauma from his mother's death, which has hampered his relationship with his father. Decades later, their strained relationship remains because they do not talk it out. Similarly, Delulu is now a spirit roaming around Prabhendu because she can't remember who she is and why she became a ghost. When two souls who do not have resolution in life meet each other and help each other heal, you get Sarvam Maya.

Take, for example, the scene where Prabhendu, with a lot of hesitation, walks into his father's room after several decades to check on something. He is shocked to see his ailing father who operates life in a way he knows. It takes him years to finally understand the unspoken dynamics of their relationship.
Justin Prabhakaran's background music matches the mood of the film. However, the songs are barely worth remembering. Cinematography by Sharath Velayudhan presents the beauty of Kerala in all its glory. The film could benefit with a bit of trimming.

Sarvam Maya is a wholesome film with a lot of heart. The pace of the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Sarvam Maya is a film that deserves to receive as much love as it gives.

Malayalam star Nivin Pauly had just one movie in 2025, and it has been timed to release on Christmas day as a treat for the audience. Sarvam Maya is a horror comedy that questions reality and perception and as the title suggests, everything can just be an illusion.

Nivin Pauly essays the role of Prabhendu who comes from a wealthy Namboothiri family which performs religious ceremonies. Prabhendu, a staunch atheist, wants to be a successful guitarist, and he distances himself from the family's religious endeavours to pursue his dreams. However, he is forced to return home and ends up taking up the family profession along with his cousin Roopesh Namboothiri (Aju Varghese).
The core of the film is about Prabhendu's internal emotional struggles and unresolved issues from the past which have been haunting him. Delulu's presence pushes him towards introspection and emotional growth, and his kindness gives her a sense of purpose and direction. It is not really a romance that unfolds between Delulu and Prabhendu but a playfulness and kindred spirit kind of affinity.

We mustn't forget the presence of Aju Varghese here as his pairing with Nivin Pauly adds a lot of funny, comical elements thanks to the supernatural force that enters their life. Their on-screen chemistry works well thanks to their off-screen friendship of nearly 15 years, and this adds another layer of camaraderie to this film.

There have been many sequences of the two interspersed (like a haunted house exorcism or homeless people ordering food via apps) through the film to elevate the story and keep the audience engaged. While some of these are truly funny and make you laugh, others seem contrived and could have been avoided as it jars with the theme of the film.

While in the first half of the film, Aju questioning Nivin's odd behavior and his talkative casual banter has prominence, in the second half we see the interaction becoming more subdued characterising the growing distance between them.

Director Akhil Sathyan has given us a film that is feel-good (similar to his father Sathyan Anthikad's style) and a character-driven fantasy. The ghost story cuts across age groups and is calming and gentle rather than loud and over-the-top. There is plenty of warmth, situational humour, and restrained drama in the narrative which makes it a pleasant watch. But in trying to retain this gentle mood for the whole film, the director makes it predictable, and the movie loses out on delivering a strong emotional impact. Other than the two main characters of Prabhendu and Roopesh, the others, like Preity Mukhundhan's, are not well developed and don't have much depth.

It is good to see Nivin Pauly back in his comic element in Sarvam Maya. The film constantly walks the line between humour, fantasy, and introspection, and the actor modulates his performance accordingly. For instance, he showcases his unease with specific mannerisms like hesitant speech and distracted glances, and he superbly makes the character of Prabhendu his own.

Nivin's acting is restrained and measured rather than overly dramatic, and this remains in sync with the film's gentleness. The actor is the heart of the film and he carries the film - and the audience - effortlessly with him through the story.

As for Aju Varghese, his role is crucial and he stamps the film with his trademark ease and conversational humour. It is his controlled restraint that works well with Nivin's character and his performance is solid in Sarvam Maya. Riya Shibu, who is a well-known producer, turns actor in this movie and she has done a good job. She fits in well as Delulu and her acting is quite natural. Technically, the film is sound for the most part given the co-editing is also by Akhil Sathyan. Music by Justin Prabhakar is melodious and emotional, keeping in line with the film's theme.

Sarvam Maya is a movie that is a pleasant watch if you are looking for a feel-good drama that has you leaving the theatre with a smile. The fantasy element of the story is meant to regale rather than scare, and the makers have succeeded in this effort.

But the film is predictable and if you can overlook that, then you are in for a good time. With Nivin Pauly back in comic form in this movie and paired along with the funny Aju Varghese, the duo keeps the audience engaged by adding a lot of laughs on screen this festive season.

Sarvam Maya - Official Teaser | Nivin Pauly | Akhil Sathyan | Firefly Films | Justin Prabhakaran

Sarvam Maya(2025)