Last month, the surprise trailer for Karam dramatically unveiled director, actor, and producer Vineeth Sreenivasan’s latest film, hot on the heels of last year’s Varshangalkku Shesham. The fact that he was even working on this project, let alone that it was nearing completion, had been a closely guarded secret. “We deliberately kept it under wraps for that element of surprise,” Vineeth confessed gleefully over a phone call from the UK. “We didn’t want any details about the story or locations leaking out. This way, audiences could go straight to the trailer and be left wondering, ‘How did this happen?!’”
Set to hit theaters on September 25, Karam marks a significant departure from Vineeth Sreenivasan’s usual ‘feel-good’ cinematic style, seen in hits like Thattathin Marayathu, Jacobinte Swargarajyam, Hridayam, and Varshangalkku Shesham. Starring Noble Babu Thomas, the film’s two trailers have already sparked immense public intrigue. “We meticulously crafted the trailer to reveal absolutely nothing about the plot,” Vineeth stated. What viewers can gather is that the film is an action-packed spectacle shot in an international setting.
While keeping the core plot under wraps, Vineeth offered a glimpse: “The film revolves around a man on a critical mission in a foreign land, showcasing his struggle to survive and escape the situation. He’s operating purely on instinct, doing whatever it takes to get out alive.” However, he clarified that despite the intense premise, it is not a survival thriller in the traditional sense.
Vineeth Sreenivasan; Noble Babu Thomas in a still from the film | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Following Thira, Karam is only the second film Vineeth has directed without writing the screenplay himself. The script was penned by Noble Babu Thomas, Vineeth’s college friend, who also takes on the lead role. “Noble had been developing this story for quite some time, and he initially approached me for feedback,” Vineeth explained. “He had plans to direct and star in it himself. Over two years, I witnessed the evolution of the script through numerous drafts.” Coincidentally, Vineeth had been contemplating directing a thriller. So, in 2023, amidst the pre-production of Varshangalkku Shesham, he asked Noble if he would consider waiting a year for him to direct Karam.
“I told him that if he could hold off for a year, I’d be keen to direct it myself,” Vineeth recounted with a chuckle. His journey with the story naturally led to Noble being cast as the protagonist, Dev Mahendran. “Every time I heard the story and its various iterations, it was always in Noble’s voice. I vividly pictured him in a military scene from the narrative, fully geared up, even before I officially committed to the project.”
Vineeth Sreenivasan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Vineeth confessed that his decision to take on Karam stemmed from a deep-seated affection for thriller films. “While I enjoy all genres, thrillers hold a special place for me,” he admitted. “Even in my acting roles, several recent projects like Mukundan Unni Associates and Thankam have been thrillers. Moreover, I produced Helen, which itself was a survival thriller.”
Vineeth elaborated on the elements of a thriller that captivate him, citing Helen, co-written by Noble, as a prime example. “The film had a compelling hook,” he explained. “Once Helen is trapped in the freezer, the immediate question becomes: how will she escape? That’s the crucial ‘hook point.’ Similarly, recall the 1992 film Malootty, where the central hook was the rescue of a child from a borewell. Karam possesses a similar magnetic ‘hook,’ which was a major draw for me.”
Vineeth Sreenivasan along with the crew of ‘Karam’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He thoroughly enjoyed the pre-production phase, including finalizing the screenplay and its revisions, describing the entire process as fascinating and amplified by his passion for thrillers. Thira (2013) was another thriller directed by Vineeth, which, despite a lukewarm theatrical reception, garnered a dedicated following over time as audiences rediscovered it.
Filming Karam was a vastly different experience, according to Vineeth, with approximately 90% of the movie shot across Georgia, parts of Azerbaijan, Russia, North India, and Kochi. “It was incredibly challenging,” he stated. “We were on a different continent, facing unpredictable weather, and collaborating with a foreign crew, many of whom didn’t speak English. When shooting in these countries, meticulous planning is paramount. If a spontaneous idea strikes you, you essentially have to pocket it and move on,” he quipped with a laugh. Unlike the Malayalam industry’s typical 6 AM to 9:30 PM shoots, strict schedules meant a 9 AM start had to end by 9 PM. This timeframe, including lunch, rest breaks, time for communication, and dealing with weather shifts, drastically limited productive shooting hours.
Vineeth Sreenivasan, Noble Babu Thomas, and Visakh Subramaniam on the sets of ‘Karam’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Beyond these larger production complexities, Vineeth noted the ‘microscopic’ challenges, such as crew members experiencing homesickness. “Being one of the most patient individuals on set, I often found myself supporting them through those moments too,” he shared.
Regarding his role as co-producer, Vineeth explained, “I understood the budget would be substantial, and I didn’t want Visakh Subramaniam to shoulder the entire financial burden alone. We made sure not to scrimp or cut any corners during production.” He added that this entire experience has served as a significant learning curve for both him and Visakh, providing invaluable insight into the overheads, budgeting, visa processes, and other variables involved in filming in Europe.
Visakh Subramaniam on Co-Producing ‘Karam’ with Vineeth Sreenivasan
This collaboration marks the third film for producer and distributor Visakh Subramaniam of Merryland Studios with Vineeth, following Hridayam and Varshangalkku Shesham. “During the pre-production of Varshangalkku…,” Visakh recalled, “Vineeth proposed that we team up for a third project—a thriller.” The film was greenlit after a meeting held post-Varshangalkku Shesham. Visakh’s deep trust in Vineeth’s creative vision and confidence in the subject matter are clear as he discusses their latest venture.
Vineeth emphasized from the outset that no compromises could be made. “He described a scene and made it clear we needed to invest heavily in production quality, securing the finest technicians and technology to create an international-level film,” Visakh shared. “While we couldn’t pinpoint the exact budget at that stage, we both understood that cutting corners was not an option. Vineeth also committed his production house, Habit of Life, as a co-producer, signaling his profound confidence in the material. I told him, ‘If you’re in, I’m in.’ From the very beginning, we’ve been fully dedicated to this film, believing it could be a real trendsetter if we execute it successfully.”
Their friendship dates back to 2019, when Visakh produced Love Action Drama, a film directed by Dhyan Sreenivasan, in which Vineeth also acted. Visakh reiterated the production challenges Vineeth highlighted for Karam. “It was an unexpectedly massive learning curve for us as producers,” he admitted. “It felt like we had far less control compared to shooting in India. Spontaneous, last-minute changes were impossible; we needed prior permissions for everything—from specific shooting locations to precise camera angles.”
Visakh expressed his satisfaction and optimism regarding the unprecedented success of Lokah, viewing it as a clear indication that audiences are eager to embrace films with fresh, unique approaches. “Its triumph instills confidence in me, because only when a film performs well in theaters can we, as producers, feel empowered to invest in different kinds of stories,” he emphasized. “There’s no value in calling a film great only after it arrives on OTT platforms. A theatrical success is what truly encourages producers to take creative risks. People need to go to cinemas and experience these films. Take Dulquer Salmaan, for example; he invested in diverse talent, trusted the material, and brought in top technicians, and that commitment directly contributed to Lokah’s widespread acclaim.”
Coincidentally, this also marks the first time Vineeth won’t be in India for the release of one of his films, as he’s currently in the UK for a stage show committed to a year prior. “This film truly has been a project of many firsts for me,” he laughed.
“Initially, before filming began, we aimed for Karam to release earlier this year, around April or May, and planned to shoot in October-November 2024,” he explained. “However, we encountered difficulties securing visas for some crew members. By the time those issues were resolved, the weather had turned unfavorable—it would have been too cold with limited daylight hours. Consequently, we ended up filming during the period we had originally envisioned for the release, which is why I find myself here now.”
He jokingly added, “Don’t tell Visakh, but I’m incredibly calm and at ease here! Our stage rehearsal yesterday [September 21] was so relaxed. I’m truly enjoying this; otherwise, if I were back home, I’d be overthinking and completely stressed out. When I sing, I find myself free from all worries.” Joking aside, he confirmed that everything, including the censor certificate, was completed before his departure on September 17. The remaining release logistics, he assured, would be handled by Visakh and his team in India.
Given that Karam is a thriller, the inevitable question about a sequel to Thira arose. Vineeth revealed there was a screenplay he quite liked, but it’s no longer feasible, as some original actors have matured, and unfortunately, a couple have passed away. Nonetheless, he expressed a strong desire to collaborate with Shobana again. “If I were to approach Shobana chechi with an idea for a wacky film, she’d be completely on board,” he believes. “She’s at a point where she’s keen on exploring new, unprecedented roles, and I genuinely hope to make that happen someday.” Meanwhile, Dhyan Sreenivasan is reportedly committed to developing Thira 2, a project Vineeth is confident he will successfully bring to fruition.
Karam is scheduled for theatrical release on September 25.