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Entertainment • Film

Bhoothakaalam

Bhoothakaalam is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language psychological horror film written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bhoothakaalam is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language psychological horror film written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan. It stars Shane Nigam and Revathy as a mother and son whose grief and strained relationship are complicated by unsettling events in their home. The film received critical acclaim for its atmosphere, sound design, and performances, and Revathy won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.

Plot

The story follows a mother and son whose lives are disrupted by strange occurrences in their house after the death of a family member. Review coverage describes the film as blending haunted-house horror with themes of grief, depression, and psychological distress.

Production

Bhoothakaalam was written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan. It was produced by Anwar Rasheed, with Shane Nigam also credited as a producer and making his debut as a music director, while Gopi Sunder handled the background score.

Release

The film was released on 21 January 2022 in India and later became available on streaming platforms, including SonyLIV as noted in coverage and listing pages.

Reception

The film was widely praised for its atmosphere, sound design, and performances. Reviews highlighted its psychological approach to horror and its focus on family tension and mental health themes.

Key facts

  • The film is a Malayalam-language psychological horror drama released in 2022.
  • It was written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan.
  • The plot centres on a mother and son who experience mysterious events after a family death.
  • Revathy and Shane Nigam play the lead roles.
  • Revathy won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bhoothakaalam?
Bhoothakaalam is a 2022 Malayalam psychological horror film directed by Rahul Sadasivan and starring Shane Nigam and Revathy.
What does Bhoothakaalam mean?
The title is commonly translated as “Past.”
What is the film about?
It follows a mother and son who begin experiencing mysterious events after a family death, leading them to question reality and their own sanity.
Who directed Bhoothakaalam?
Rahul Sadasivan directed the film and also wrote it.
Who are the lead actors?
The lead roles are played by Shane Nigam and Revathy.
Did Bhoothakaalam receive awards?
Yes. Revathy won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhoothakaalam
    Supports: Basic film identification, title translation, year, language, director, cast, production banner, critical reception, and award mention.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt15560626/
    Supports: Release year, language, genre classification, and plot premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bhoothakaalam
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, director, runtime, and language.
  4. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/nz/movie/bhoothakaalam/umc.cmc.2y5gy1fh5is5hu50u4m0d6uox
    Supports: Film identification, director, cast, production information, and background score credit.
  5. The News Minutehttps://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/bhoothakaalam-how-malayalam-horror-film-reinvents-haunted-house-160224
    Supports: Release timing, plot focus, and thematic interpretation involving mental health and haunted-house horror.
  6. Hindustan Timeshttps://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/bhoothakaalam-movie-review-shane-nigam-and-revathis-film-is-moving-mental-health-drama-disguised-as-horror-101642687495518.html
    Supports: Critical interpretation of the film as a mental-health drama with horror elements.
  7. ZEE5https://www.zee5.com/global/movies/details/bhoothakaalam/0-0-1z5461950
    Supports: Runtime, release date, language, cast, director, and genre listing.