On the auspicious day of Onam, witness history as ZEE5 Global, the world’s leading streaming platform for South Asian content, available in 190+ countries, makes its entry into the Malayalam market with its first-ever original series, Kammattam. Inspired by one of Thrissur’s most controversial real-life incidents, this gripping six-episode crime thriller dives into a chilling murder mystery rooted in betrayal, silence and moral conflict. Directed by Shan Thulasidharan and produced by 23 Feet Productions, the series features an intense performance by Sudev Nair in the lead alongside a compelling cast including Jins, Jeo Baby, Ajay Vaasudev, Akhil Kavalayoor, Arun Sol, Sreerekha and Jordy Poonjaa. Premiering exclusively on ZEE5 Global on 5th September, Kammattam marking its landmark moment for Malayalam storytelling on OTT.
The trailer of Kammattam was unveiled by Malayalam superstar Tovino Thomas, who extended his best wishes to the team and celebrated ZEE5 Global’s first big step into Malayalam originals.
The story begins with the suspicious death of planter Samuel Umman in what appears to be a road accident. Circle Inspector Antonio George senses foul play when a necklace goes missing from the scene. His pursuit uncovers Shaji, an auto driver with a criminal past, who is soon found dead in a quarry. A mysterious two-wheeler at a construction site raises further questions, leading Antonio towards Francis, a quiet worker at Samuel’s plantation. As Antonio digs deeper, what unravels/unfolds is a chilling web of deceit, silence and buried secrets that begin to surface, making Kammattam a true-crime thriller one/you can’t look away from.
Malayalam and Tamil ZEE5’s Business Head, & Sr. VP Marketing South, Lloyd C Xavier said, “Launching Kammattam as ZEE5 Global’s first Malayalam original is more than just a strategic move; it’s a cultural and emotional milestone for us. Onam, a festival celebrating new beginnings and togetherness, was the perfect time to mark our entry into Malayalam storytelling. With Kammattam, we bring a series that is powerful, layered, and based on true incidents which happened in Thrissur. This marks the beginning of our long-term commitment to Malayalam originals, and we are proud to start this journey with a story that is authentic to its soil and impactful for audiences across India and beyond.”
Actor Sudev Nair said, “Kammattam has been one of my career’s most challenging and rewarding journeys. The character I play demanded emotional depth and honesty in portraying human behavior’s silences, fears, and contradictions. Stories like these linger long after the cameras stop rolling, and I’m proud it has found its home as ZEE5 Global’s first Malayalam original. Releasing on September 5th, just in time for Onam, a festival of new beginnings, this series feels especially significant. For me, Kammattam marks a turning point where our stories, deeply rooted in Kerala yet universal in appeal, will reach audiences across India and the world. I believe viewers will not only be gripped by the suspense but also resonate with the real emotions at its heart.”
Director Shan Thulasidharan said, “When I began shaping Kammattam, I knew it wasn’t just about narrating a crime, it was about peeling back the layers of silence, betrayal, and morality that lie beneath a chilling real-life incident. Bringing that vision to the screen required a platform that values authenticity and emotional depth, and I couldn’t have asked for a better home than ZEE5 Global. To see this story become their very first Malayalam original is humbling as a filmmaker, because it means Malayalam storytelling is being given the prominence it deserves on a national and global stage. I truly hope audiences experience not just the suspense of Kammattam, but also the cultural and human truths that lie at its core. This series is a testament to the power of regional stories when amplified on the right platform.”
