Masthishka Maranam (lit. 'Brain death'; subtitled A Frankenbiting of Simon's Memories) is a 2026 Indian Malayalam-language cyberpunk comedy film written and directed by Krishand. It stars Rajisha Vijayan, Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju, Divya Prabha, Jagadish and Suresh Krishna. The film was released theatrically on 27 February 2026 and began streaming on Netflix on 27 March 2026.[1][2]
| Masthishka Maranam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Krishand |
| Written by | Krishand |
| Produced by | Vinayaka Ajith |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Prayag Mukundan |
| Edited by | Krishand |
| Music by | Varkey |
Production companies |
|
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Set in 2046 in a dystopian Kochi, the film follows Bimal Raj, a grieving father who enters a virtual-reality memory game to reconnect with his dead daughter and inadvertently becomes entangled in a scandal.
Cast
edit- Rajisha Vijayan as Frida Soman
- Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju as Bimal Raj
- Divya Prabha as Advocate Desdemona
- Jagadish as Inspector Praveen Shashank
- Suresh Krishna as Charlie
- Vishnu Agasthya as Advocate Don
- Nandhu as Harry Kumar Reporter
- Santhy Balachandran as Veda
- Rahul Rajagopal[2][3][4]
Production
editKrishand conceived the film as a cyberpunk work set in a futuristic Kochi, developed around themes of "digital voyeurism", content culture, and celebrity stardom. In a pre-release interview, he described it as his first film consciously aimed at a wide theatrical audience, while retaining his interest in speculative and experimental storytelling.[5][6] Krishand had previously served as an executive producer on Gaganachari (2024), another Malayalam cyberpunk film.[7]
Reception
editOnmanorama wrote that "Its execution may divide audiences, and its storytelling demands patience. But its themes — though wrapped in eccentricity — are relatable, sharp and, at times, genuinely funny.[8] The Indian Express wrote that this "cyberpunk comedy is more than a spectacle for the senses", rating 3.5 out of five stars.[9]
References
edit- ↑ "Masthishka Maranam on OTT: Story, cast, release date, and where to watch Rajisha Vijayan's sci-fi thriller". India TV News. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- 1 2 "'Masthishka Maranam' OTT release: Streaming platform, cast, and plot details". The Week. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "Masthishka Maranam: A Frankenbiting of Simon's Memories". Netflix. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ " "IMDB Masthiska Maranam". imdb.
- ↑ "Krishand: Masthishka Maranam looks at how female stardom is packaged". Cinema Express. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "Krishand: Masthishka Maranam is my first box office movie". OTTplay. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "Masthishka Maranam Review: A Consistently Hilarious Dystopian Satire That Explores Ethical Dilemmas of the Future". Lensmen Reviews. 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ Ajith, Swathi P. (3 March 2026). "'Masthishka Maranam': Not everyone's cup of tea, but impossible to ignore". Onmanorama. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ Suresh, Anandu (27 February 2026). "Masthishka Maranam movie review: Krishand, Rajisha Vijayan's cyberpunk comedy is more than a spectacle for the senses". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
