Sarvam Maya

Sarvam Maya (transl. Everything is a delusion) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language supernatural romantic comedy film written and directed by Akhil Sathyan.^[4] Produced by Firefly Films, the film stars Nivin Pauly in the lead role and Riya Shibu in the title role along with Preity Mukhundhan, Aju Varghese, and Janardhanan.^[5] The film is produced by Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon under Firefly Productions.^[6][7]

Sarvam Maya released worldwide on 25 December 2025 in theatres, coinciding with Christmas.^[8][9] The film received critical acclaim with praise for the performances (particularly of Nivin Pauly and Riya Shibu), direction, music, pacing, execution, story, humour, cinematography, screenplay, and light-heartedness. It has emerged as a commercial blockbuster and became fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 and one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

Critics described Sarvam Maya as the commercial comeback of Pauly, following a series of unsuccessful films.

Prabhendu Namboothiri is an aspiring guitarist and an atheist born into a traditional Brahmin priest family in Kerala. After his visa application to a European country is rejected, he returns to his hometown of Palakkad. Unable to find stable work, he temporarily assists his cousin Roopesh, who works as a priest and starts earning money. Roopesh meets with a freak accident and requests Prabhendu to honor his commitments. Prabhendu performs a fake exorcism ritual on a young boy that is seemingly successful.

But soon after, Prabhendu notices his Whatsapp profile is changed randomly and someone ordered woman clothing using his Amazon account. One night, he wakes up in the middle of the night and is startled to see a young woman in his room using his phone. The woman is startled too, apologizes and leaves. This happens repeatedly and the young woman's claims she is the spirit who was exorcised out of the young boy. Visible only to him, the woman has no memory of her identity or past, but assists Prabhendu in his music sessions. The two gradually form a close emotional bond, and he casually nicknames her Delulu.

Delulu begins to show human-like behaviour, including taking Prabhendu’s belongings, and interacting with her surroundings, which at times creates confusion for people around him. She also urges Prabhendu to speak to his estranged father, with whom he has not had a meaningful conversation for several years following the death of his mother. Prabhendu also forms a friendship with Saadhya, the manager of a Bollywood music director from Mumbai who brings Prabhendu to his attention. Over time, Delulu develops romantic feelings for Prabhendu, but he hesitates to respond, stating that such a relationship is not possible, and that he has fallen for Saadhya.

Later, Prabhendu narrowly escapes a serious road accident, after which Delulu begins to recover memories of her past. She remembers that her name is Maya Mathew Manjooran and that she lives with her family in Kuttikkanam in Idukki. Maya is in love with her senior and travels with her family to propose to him. During this journey, she meets with a vehicular accident that eventually leads to her being declared brain-dead.

After fully recalling her past, Maya embraces Prabhendu, during which Prabhendu experiences her memories and sheds a tear. With her story acknowledged and understood, Maya disappears peacefully.

Prabhendu later travels to Kuttikkanam and meets Maya’s mother, introducing himself as her friend. When Maya’s mother asks whether he is the one Maya loved, Prabhendu pauses before answering in the affirmative and says yes. As he leaves the house, he feels a gentle breeze, recalling Maya’s earlier reference to it as a form of her presence. In the end, Prabhendu fulfills his dream of becoming a musician guided by Maya's memories.

In December 2023, Nivin Pauly announced he was collaborating with director Akhil Sathyan for the latter's sophomore directorial. Sathyan's debut film, Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (2023), was initially set to feature Pauly as the lead actor before he was replaced with Fahadh Faasil.^[10] Sathyan confirmed the project the following May.^[11] The official title, Sarvam Maya, was announced in July 2025.^[12]The theatrical release date poster was revealed on 20 November 2025.^[13] Principal photography wrapped in November 2025.^[14]

The music and background score is composed by Justin Prabhakaran

Sarvam Maya was released on 25 December 2025, coinciding with Christmas.^[15][16]

The post-theatrical digital streaming rights of Sarvam Maya were acquired by JioHotstar. The film began streaming on the platform from 30 January 2026.^[17]

Sarvam Maya received positive reviews from critics.

Sajin Shrijith of The Week gave 4/5 stars and wrote "The film marks the triumphant return of Nivin Pauly to his beloved charming persona in a feel-good fantasy directed by Akhil Sathyan, who presents a heartwarming 'ghost-as-angel' story, perfect for the holiday season"^[18] Gayathiri Krishna of OTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese are portrayed in Akhil Sathyan's film in a way that appeals to Malayalis. Additionally, Riya Shibu is a real find."^[19] Janani K of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "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."^[20] Risha Ganguly of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "For viewers looking for a festive release that offers light chills, gentle laughs and introspection, Sarvam Maya proves to be a decent choice."^[21]

Onmanorama termed it a modest fantasy that relies on character dynamics and situational humour rather than melodrama.^[22] Zoom TV wrote that the film offers a restrained blend of belief and anxiety, focusing more on atmosphere and performances than conventional scares.^[23]

• Sarvam Maya at IMDb