Odiyan () is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy drama film directed by V. A. Shrikumar Menon in his feature film debut. The film was written by Harikrishnan; it is based on the legend of the Odiyan clan, who in Kerala folklore are men believed to possess shapeshifting abilities and can assume animal forms. Odiyans are said to have inhabited the Malabar region of Kerala before the widespread use of electricity. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role, alongside Prakash Raj and Manju Warrier; it was produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas. Principal photography began in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in August 2017. Major parts of the film were shot in Palakkad district, where the story's Thenkurissi village was recreated. Some scenes were filmed in Vagamon, Athirappilly, and Kochi. The film was completed after 145 days of shooting. Sam C. S. composed the film's score, which also features songs composed by M. Jayachandran. Odiyan was released worldwide on 14 December 2018 alongside its dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu languages. Upon release, Odiyan received mixed reviews from critics who praised the performances, score and action sequences but criticized the direction, VFX and the screenplay. Despite it the film grossed more than ₹54 crore worldwide in two weeks into release, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. Synopsis Manikyan, a notorious Odiyan, returns to his village after an exile of 15 years to see his lover once, including his friends, Damodharan and more over, Manikyan's girlfriend Prabha. His arrival causes much unease to some of the villagers, especially Ravunni Nair, Prabha's brother, who has a personal grudge against him. Cast Mohanlal as Odiyan Manikyan Prakash Raj as Ravunni Nair Manju Warrier as Prabha Siddique as Damodaran Nair Innocent as Gopi Mash Manoj Joshi as Muthappan Nandhu as Ezhuthachan Narain as Prakashan Kailash as Ravi Sana Althaf as Meenakshi Harith Cnv as Rakesh Aneesh G. Menon as Unnikrishnan Santhosh Keezhattoor as Vasudevan Sreejaya Nair as Thankamani Varassiar Venkitesh V. P. as Rakesh's Friend Rajendran as Doppelgänger Odiyan Kannan Pattambi as Panchayath President Sreeya Remesh as Rakesh's Mother Antony Perumbavoor as Electricity Officer Latha as Ravunni's Mother Production Development On 4 February 2017, Kerala Kaumudi reported that a 3D film titled Odiyan starring Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan, written by Harikrishnan and to be directed by commercial director V. A. Shrikumar Menon in what will be his feature film debut, was