Malayalam cinema’s growing footprint in the streaming space is set to get another notable addition. National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Riji Nair and his banner First Print Studios have officially launched Kappi Squad, a new Malayalam original series being developed in association with JioHotstar.
A New Long-Form Bet For Malayalam OTT Content
The project was inaugurated with a traditional pooja ceremony attended by the cast and crew, signalling the beginning of production. What makes Kappi Squad particularly noteworthy is its scale. The makers have announced it as a 100-episode series, a format rarely attempted in Malayalam streaming content, where limited series and shorter seasons have largely dominated the landscape.
The show has been created by actor-filmmaker Srikanth Mohan, who previously garnered attention for directing the SonyLIV series Jai Mahendran, led by Saiju Kurup. His latest venture appears to be aiming for a broader audience through a long-running narrative structure designed specifically for the digital medium.
Direction duties have been entrusted to Belraj Kalarickal, while the screenplay has been penned by writers Adithya Thejas and Subin George. Principal photography is expected to commence this week.
Fresh Faces Meet Familiar Names
The ensemble cast blends emerging actors with personalities who have built significant followings through television and social media. Leading the line-up is Rinosh George, whose appearance on Bigg Boss Malayalam expanded his popularity beyond music and acting circles.
Joining him is actress Anagha Ajith, who was recently seen in Prakambanam. The cast also includes Diya Deepan, alongside digital content creators Joel Joseph and Abhirami Dayanandan. The combination suggests an attempt to bridge traditional entertainment audiences and younger viewers who consume content across social platforms.
Behind the scenes, the series boasts a strong technical team. Cinematography will be handled by Rakesh Dharan and Jayakrishnan Vijayan, while editing is overseen by National Award-winning editor Appu Bhattathiri. Music for the series is composed by Sidhartha Pradeep.
For Rahul Riji Nair, Kappi Squad marks another significant step as a producer. Best known for acclaimed films such as Ottamuri Velicham and Kalla Nottam, the filmmaker has steadily expanded First Print Studios into a banner that actively backs both feature films and streaming projects.
With production now underway, Kappi Squad arrives at a time when Malayalam creators are increasingly experimenting with formats and platforms. Whether the ambitious 100-episode structure can carve out a unique space in the region’s OTT ecosystem remains to be seen, but the project certainly signals confidence in the appetite for long-form Malayalam storytelling.
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