The Malayalam surprise hit Prakambanam is all set to make its digital debut soon. After enjoying a successful theatrical run, the horror-comedy is reportedly gearing up for its OTT premiere in early March.
According to media reports, the streaming rights of the film have been acquired by ZEE5. While an official announcement is still awaited, sources indicate that the platform is planning to release the film in the first week of March, giving audiences who missed its theatrical run a chance to watch it online.
A Comic Take on Spiritual Chaos
Directed as a horror-comedy with a strong situational humor base, Prakambanam revolves around three college friends whose carefree lives take an unexpected supernatural turn. The film stars Ganapathi S. Poduval as Sidhu, alongside Sagar Surya as Punyalan and Al Ameen as Shankaran.
The trio are final-year students navigating the chaos of college politics, hostel rivalries, and youthful impulsiveness. Their routine life spirals into madness when Jithu attempts to secretly perform post-death rituals for his grandmother without the knowledge of his atheist father and uncle. In a bizarre turn of events, Punyalan accidentally inhales the grandmother’s ashes, leading to what appears to be spirit possession.
What follows is a string of strange yet hilarious situations that blend spooky elements with laugh-out-loud comedy. Rather than focusing on horror alone, the film leans heavily into absurdity and exaggerated reactions, ensuring that humor remains at the forefront.
Ensemble Cast and Vibrant Setting
Beyond the central trio, the film boasts a strong supporting cast including Sheetal Joseph, Azeez Nedumangad, P. P. Kunjikrishnan, and veteran actress Mallika Sukumaran, who plays the grandmother whose ashes spark the chaos.
Set largely in a lively men’s hostel in Kochi, the film uses its energetic backdrop to amplify both tension and humor. The hostel environment — filled with loud camaraderie, petty conflicts, and group panic — becomes a character in itself, driving much of the situational comedy.
Box Office Success on a Modest Budget
Made on a modest budget of approximately Rs 5 crore, Prakambanam has emerged as a box office success. According to trade reports, the film witnessed a strong surge in collections even in its third week.
On day 23, the movie reportedly earned Rs 34 lakh, marking a significant 61.9 percent jump from the previous day’s Rs 21 lakh. With this boost, the film’s total India net collection reached Rs 13.28 crore, while the gross collection climbed to Rs 15.67 crore. These numbers underline the film’s growing popularity through positive word-of-mouth.
Critical Reception and Comparisons
Critics have largely described Prakambanam as a horror-comedy where humor outweighs fear. Reviews noted that after its eerie yet playful opening in Chembaka Veedu, the narrative shifts focus to the hostel life of the three protagonists.
The film has drawn comparisons to successful Malayalam horror-comedies like Romancham and Adi Kapyare Kootamani, both of which relied on group hysteria and exaggerated reactions to generate humor. Similar to these films, Prakambanam prioritizes chaotic energy and comic timing over genuine scares.
As anticipation builds for its OTT release, the film is expected to reach a wider audience and possibly gain a second wave of popularity in the digital space.
