Nivin Pauly's Sarvam Maya locks Christmas 2025 release - horror-comedy aims for festive laughs
If you like your holidays with a side of spooky, circle this one. Nivin Pauly (movies and tv series)'s much-talked-about horror-comedy Sarvam Maya hits theatres on December 25, 2025 - a straight-up Christmas Day release.
The first look dropped on social, and it's got that throwback charm. Nivin leans into an old-school vibe, with Aju Varghese (movies and tv series) and veteran star Janardhanan sharing the poster. Fun meets eerie - that's the promise.
"Fun is about to get spooky! Sarvam Maya in theatres from 25th December," Nivin wrote, keeping it playful and to the point. And honestly, that's the lane this film seems to want: goosebumps with a grin.
What's the film about?
At its heart, Sarvam Maya follows a young, charming lead who moves into an old Kerala mansion. Soon, a ghost makes its presence known - not out for blood, more like… mischief.
Picture jump scares softened by punchlines. Strange knocks, lights flickering, doors that won't behave - the works. He tries to keep life on track while this unpredictable housemate keeps upping the antics.
Cast and crew
- Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Preity Mukhundhan (movies and tv series), Janardhanan, Madhu Warrier (movies and tv series), Althaf Salim (movies and tv series), Anand Ekarshi (movies and tv series), and more.
- Writer-Director: Akhil Sathyan
- Producers: Dr. Ajayya Kumar, Rajeev Menon (Firefly Films)
- Music and Score: Justin Prabhakaran
- Cinematography: Sharan Velayudhan
- Editing: Akhil Sathyan, Rathin Radhakrishnan
The makers also rolled out a teaser earlier that leaned into a "spooky" and "delulu" mood - a cheeky wink at what the film's selling.
Why the Christmas date matters
Holiday weekends are gold for comedy and family picks. A horror-comedy landing on Christmas? That's a confident swing at broad, festive footfalls - couples, college groups, and families looking for something light but lively.
Here's what this could mean: if Sarvam Maya sticks the balance between scares and silliness, it could be the season's easy recommendation. The kind you tell friends, "Go with a crowd, it'll be a blast."
Nivin Pauly's slate - what's moving, what's not
Nivin quietly scrubbed posts about several previously announced films, and fans noticed. The why is still unclear. Reports suggest Thamar KV's Dolby Dineshan may have been shelved, while Shekara Varma Raajavu with Narivetta director Anuraj Manohar is postponed, not canceled.
Posts tied to Thaaram, Gangster of Mundanmala, and Bismi Special are also gone for now. Maybe it's timing. Maybe a reset. Either way, the lineup isn't empty.
Coming up, Nivin plays the main antagonist in the Tamil film Benz opposite Raghava Lawrence (movies and tv series). He's also got the web series Pharma and the Nayanthara-starrer Dear Students in the pipeline.
Bottom line
Sarvam Maya is aiming for that sweet spot: a crowd-pleaser with a ghost who teases more than terrifies. Christmas Day gives it a big, friendly runway. If the humor lands, expect full houses and a lot of shared laughs - with a few squeals in between.
