Fahadh Faasil's Karate Chandran is finally rolling. Bhavana Studios announced on October 24 that the film is under way as its Production No. 8, with Roy directing from a script by S. Hareesh and Vinoy Thomas. "The dojo is open and the journey begins today," the banner posted on X.
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The pooja and switch-on took place in Kottayam, according to Manorama. The publication reports that the film is planned on a big budget, with a 140-day schedule in Kottayam and the surrounding areas.
Film: Karate Chandran (Bhavana Studios Production No. 8)
Director: Roy
Writers: S. Hareesh, Vinoy Thomas
Producers: Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil, Syam Pushkaran (reported)
Schedule: 140 days in Kottayam and nearby areas (reported)
Camera and edit: Rakesh Haridas (DOP), Kiran Das (editor) (reported)
Music: Justin Varghese (reported)
Art and costume: Vivek Kalathil, Mashar Hamsa (reported)
A long road to the set
Karate Chandran is not a new announcement. Bhavana first revealed the film, with look-test stills, on February 12, 2024, while Premalu was still running in theatres. At that point it was billed as the banner's Production No. 6. It has since been renumbered, and it now rolls as No. 8. That means more than two and a half years have passed between the announcement and the start of filming.
Bhavana's track record
The renumbering says something about how busy the banner has been. Its official site lists six released films. It began with Kumbalangi Nights in 2019, followed by Joji in 2021 and Palthu Janwar in 2022. Thankam came in 2023, and Premalu in 2024. Its most recent release is Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, in 2026.
That is six released titles against a production number of eight, so Bhavana's numbering does not follow release order, and the site does not list every title it has counted. We have not found an official numbered list, so we are not filling in the gap.
Bhavana is run by Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil and Syam Pushkaran, who are also named as the producers of Karate Chandran, as Manorama reports. The trio also appeared as producers in the 2024 announcement.
Roy's first film as director
Roy has worked alongside Dileesh Pothan for years. Reports describe him as Pothan's longtime associate, and Manorama calls him his co-director since Maheshinte Prathikaaram. Karate Chandran is his debut as an independent director, according to Manorama.
The writers
Hareesh and Vinoy Thomas share the story, screenplay and dialogue. Manorama notes that the pair are known for Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikattu and Churuli. Vinoy Thomas is no stranger to Bhavana either, having co-written Palthu Janwar, according to the banner's site.
Who else is in it
Manorama reports that the cast includes Vijayaraghavan, Johny Antony, Sudheesh, Renji Panicker, Gokul Suresh, Suresh Krishna, Spadikam George, Manohari Joy, Jaya Kurup and Manjusree Nair. The rest of the reported crew includes Ronex Xavier (make-up), Jamsheer Purakkattiri (production controller), Egg White VFX and Yellow Tooth (designs).
Fahadh plays the title role. The makers have not shared plot details yet.
Also read: Bhavana Studios takes Kerala rights of Kalidas Jayaram's Many Many Happy Returns
