Malayalam cinema has achieved a major global moment as Bramayugam, starring Mammootty, is set to be screened at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The screening will take place today which is a rare and proud occasion for Indian cinema on one of the world’s most respected film platforms.
Bramayugam is the only Indian film selected for the Academy Museum’s special film series, Where the Forest Meets the Sea. The programme celebrates world cinema rooted in folklore, myth, and horror, and brings together films that reflect strong cultural identities and unique storytelling traditions. The inclusion of Bramayugam places Malayalam cinema alongside some of the most distinctive voices from global cinema.
Sharing the news on social media, Mammootty wrote that he was excited to see Bramayugam being screened as the only Indian film in the Academy Museum’s special series. He described the moment as a proud one for the entire team behind the film. Director Rahul Sadasivan also shared his joy with fans, calling the selection a meaningful milestone for the film and for Malayalam cinema.
Screening details
According to the Academy Museum website, Bramayugam will be screened on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:30 pm PT ( 9am IST) at the Ted Mann Theater. Tickets start at $5. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, Bramayugam is set in 17th-century India along the Malabar coast.
The story follows Thevan, a folk singer played by Arjun Ashokan, who escapes slavery under Portuguese soldiers, only to walk into a far more terrifying fate.
Theme of the movie
This is a movie based on a yakshi, a mythical forest spirit, Thevan reaches the crumbling mansion of Kodumon Potti (protagonist). He soon learns that the lord controls a chathan, a goblin gifted to his ancestors by the goddess Varahi. What later unfolds is a dark tale of power, fear, greed, and oppression, rooted in Kerala folklore.
Shot entirely in black and white, the film stands out for its visual style, slow-burning tension, and eerie mood. The cast also includes Siddharth Bharathan and Amalda Liz in key roles. The Academy Museum screening comes at a time when the film’s exclusion from the National Awards shortlist led to protests and debates in Kerala.With its selection at the Oscar Academy Museum, Bramayugam has taken Malayalam cinema to a new international stage.