Fri Jan 02 16:40:00 UTC 2026: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Sarvam Maya” Director Akhil Sathyan Reveals Rocky Road to Horror-Comedy Hit
KOCHI, INDIA – Akhil Sathyan, director of the recently released horror-comedy “Sarvam Maya” starring Nivin Pauly, has revealed the film’s journey to success was far from smooth. Despite garnering positive audience reactions and a strong opening at the box office, the director confessed to a period where the project was nearly scrapped due to creative differences with the lead actor.
In an interview with Mathrubhumi News, Sathyan stated that the writing phase was particularly challenging. “There was a point where Nivin and I had a disagreement, and it felt like we wouldn’t be able to move forward,” he explained. “We even decided to cancel the film. We both agreed to end it happily, feeling that we couldn’t proceed any further.”
According to Sathyan, the issues stemmed from a disconnect in conveying the story effectively. He admitted that his narration was poor, and both he and Nivin Pauly were not in the right mental state at the time. “I couldn’t properly explain the story of ‘Sarvam Maya,’ and Nivin couldn’t understand it,” he said.
However, the film was revived after a break allowed both Sathyan and Pauly to return with a renewed sense of clarity. “After taking a break, we both felt mentally okay and at peace,” Sathyan shared. “When I met Nivin again, I was able to explain the story well, and he understood it. That’s how ‘Sarvam Maya’ started again.”
“Sarvam Maya,” which also stars Aju Varghese, Janardhanan, and Althaf Salim, opened to a strong ₹4 crore gross at the global box office on its first day. The film’s success is a testament to the perseverance of the cast and crew, who overcame significant hurdles to deliver a crowd-pleasing cinematic experience.
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