Kannada film buffs in Kerala were hit with a surprise on Tuesday when Raj B Shetty announced that he was making his Malayalam debut with Rudhiram, co-starring Aparna Balamurali.

Debutant Jisho Lon Antony, an ad filmmaker by profession, will direct from his own story, with screenplay credits shared by him and Joseph Kiran George.

Sharing the title poster of the film, which goes on floors in 2023, Raj wrote: "The Axe forgets, but the Tree remembers." Rudhiram, which reportedly stars Raj as a doctor, is said to be a thriller. 

Sajad Kaakku, who shot Maniyarayile Ashokan, is the director of photography; Bavan Sreekumar (Aanum Pennum) will handle the editing. Midhun Mukundan (Rorschach) is on board as the music composer.

The makers plan to release it in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu.