Filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan says he has written stories across multiple genres, hinting that his next project may not necessarily be another horror film. In a recent interview with Asianet News, the director of Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam spoke about his creative process and the making of his latest horror hit, Pranav Mohanlal's Dies Irae, which has been running to packed houses since its worldwide release on October 31, coinciding with Halloween.
“I’ve written stories in different genres,” said Rahul. “There’s one in particular that I’m keeping under wraps for now. I’ll reveal it at the right time.” The comment has sparked curiosity among fans about whether the filmmaker known for redefining Malayalam horror is preparing to step into new territory. Rahul stated that with Dies Irae, he aimed to create something entirely distinct from his previous films, both in tone and style. “Every time you make a new film, you discover a new side of yourself,” he explained. “With Dies Irae, my goal was to make something completely different from Bramayugam, in tone, style and presentation.”
The director revealed that the idea of casting Pranav Mohanlal came early in the writing process. “The thought of Pranav in a horror film was instantly exciting,” he said. “I could only imagine that character, Rohan, being played by him. There’s a quiet mystery about Pranav, the way he carries himself, how he is in public. That intrigue was perfect for a film like this.” Rahul also credited composer Christo Xavier for shaping the film’s sonic identity. “When the story was ready, I met Christo and discussed the kind of sound I wanted, something synth-based that would feel atmospheric and tense. He completely exceeded my expectations and took the film to another level,” he said.
On the rest of the casting process, Rahul said it unfolded naturally. “I didn’t cast Jibin Gopinath because I knew him. I just happened to see his photo and later one of his interviews. There was a quiet sadness in his eyes and, at the same time, a mystery. I felt he could bring something unique to the role,” he recalled. “I’ve also known Arun (Ajikumar) for a while since the time of Bhoothakaalam, and when I wrote this character, I could only picture him in it.”
The filmmaker also addressed Dies Irae’s open-ended conclusion, clarifying that it wasn’t planned as a deliberate setup for a sequel. “The ending evolved organically as I was shaping the characters’ arcs,” he explained. “Speaking about a second part, maybe, maybe not.”
