17 September,2026 04:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vettuvam. Pic via X
Tamil filmmaker Pa. Ranjith is taking his storytelling to a pan-India audience with Vettuvam, his first film planned for a release across multiple Indian languages. The director unveiled the project with an intriguing poster, offering the first glimpse into a world that appears to draw from a traditional Indian sporting discipline.
The announcement has already sparked curiosity around what Ranjith is building with the film. While details about the story and cast remain under wraps, the poster gives audiences one major clue, Mallakhamba. The image features players climbing a towering pole, hinting that the centuries-old Indian sport could have a significant connection to the film's narrative.
The makers announced Vettuvam on social media with a cryptic message describing it as "A world beyond all we've known" and "A world unlike any other." They also announced that an introduction to the "World of Vettuvam" would be unveiled on September 18 at noon.
The poster's focus on Mallakhamba adds an unusual element to the announcement. The traditional Indian sport involves gymnasts performing acrobatic and yoga-inspired movements around a stationary vertical pole, using wrestling grips to manoeuvre their bodies. While the makers are yet to reveal exactly how the discipline fits into the story, its prominent presence in the first-look material suggests that it could be central to the film's world.
For Ranjith, known for films that combine strong characters with socially rooted narratives, Vettuvam marks another new cinematic territory.
Ranjith has previously directed films including Kabali, Kaala, Sarpatta Parambarai and Thangalaan. His work has often explored distinctive worlds and characters, with Kaala also featuring in British Film Institute's Sight and Sound magazine's list of 25 films of the 21st century.
With Vettuvam, the filmmaker is now looking at a wider theatrical footprint. The film is set to release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada, positioning it as a pan-India Tamil production.
For now, the poster remains the biggest clue to what lies ahead. With its mysterious world and Mallakhamba imagery, Vettuvam has introduced a concept that leaves plenty of questions unanswered. A larger glimpse into Ranjith's latest film is expected on September 18 at noon.
