Anjana George of The Times of India rated 3/5 and wrote, "Kalamkaval is a film elevated by its lead actors and its atmospheric world, even if the storytelling occasionally falters.Read at source
Kalamkaval 2025 
Synopsis
Kalamkaval
Kalamkaval: The Venom Beneath is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language psychological thriller film directed by debutant Jithin K. Jose, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jishnu Sreekumar. The film is produced by Mammootty Kampany and stars Mammootty and Vinayakan along with Rajisha Vijayan, Gayatri Arun, Shruti Ramachandran and Gibin Gopinath, in supporting roles.
- Director
- Jithin K. Jose
- Studio
- —
- Run time
- 139 min
- Language
- Malayalam
Reviews
10 Indian-media reviews, grouped by reception.
Critics' consensus
Generally Positive
Critics' aggregate for Kalamkaval is 70/100 from 6 scored critic/publication reviews.
Synthesized by AI (gpt-5-codex-omdb-enricher) from 11 source-backed reviews — verify against the linked sources.Common praise
- writing
- pacing
- music
- visual craft
Positive 9
Gautham S. of Pinkvilla rated 3.5/5 and highlighted Mammootty's portrayal but found the narrative predictable.Read at source
Janani K. of India Today rated 3/5 and wrote, "Kalamkaval offers enough twists, strong performances, and atmospheric filmmaking to warrant a watch, even if the runtime tests patience occasionally."Read at source
Latha Srinivasan of NDTV rated 3.5/5 and wrote, "Technically, the film is sound with masterly editing, invigorating background and songs, and cinematography.Read at source
Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, " Kalamkaval may not reconstruct the full complexity of a true-crime tale.Read at source
Rohit Panikker of Filmfare rated 3.5/5 and described it as a slow-burning crime mystery with emphasis on mood and silence.Read at source
Praveen of The Hindu wrote, "Apart from fine performances from Mammootty and Vinayakan, mind games and character dynamics propel Jithin K Jose’s slow-burn thriller".Read at source
Sajin Shrijith of The Week rated 4.5/5 and wrote, "An unforgettable Mammootty and a sturdy Vinayakan in a haunting, surprise-laden thriller".Read at source
Vishal Menon of The Hollywood Reporter India stated that Mammootty appeared "like never before" in a genre-driven thriller, praising the film's atmosphere and its screenwriting.Read at source
Critical 1
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express rated 2./5 and wrote, "Mammootty once again shows he's the biggest threat to stardom; but the crime thriller fails him".Read at source
Media & trailers
Verified video records attached to this title.
Details
Technical specs
- Run time
- 139 min
- Language
- Malayalam
- Country
- IN
- Director
- Jithin K. Jose
Trivia
- The film stars Mammootty and Vinayakan, marking their first on-screen collaboration since the 2013 film Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus.
- Approximately 40% of the film's dialogues are delivered in Tamil despite being a Malayalam-language production.
- The movie emerged as the fifth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 and ranks among the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
- Vinayakan's role was originally intended for actor Prithviraj Sukumaran before the casting was changed.
- Filming commenced on 25 September 2024 under the working title Production No. VII, which denotes the seventh production venture of Mammootty Kampany.
- The film was shot extensively across locations in Tamil Nadu, beginning with a muhurth puja ceremony in Nagercoil.
