Mumbai: A new psychological thriller feature film starring Anupama Parmeswaran in the lead has been officially announced by production houses Ess Kay Gee Entertainment and Benchmark Storytellers. The yet-untitled project will be directed by filmmaker Shaan and produced by Shivin Narang, Prerna Arora, and Kiran Ballapalli, in association with a leading studio partner.
The makers unveiled the project on the occasion of Anupama Parmeswaran’s birthday, describing the film as an intense, character-driven psychological thriller designed for theatrical release. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with further casting and title details expected to be revealed in the coming months.
Reunion after successful short film collaboration
According to the announcement, the film marks a creative reunion between Anupama Parmeswaran and director Shaan, who previously collaborated on a short film project that received a positive response in digital circuits. What started as a smaller-format storytelling exercise has now been expanded into a full-length feature film with a broader narrative canvas and higher production scale.
The director and producers are said to be developing the script with deeper psychological layers, stronger character arcs, and a more immersive thriller structure. Industry sources indicate that the film will centre on a performance-heavy role, giving the lead actor significant emotional and dramatic range.
The team stated that the new feature will retain the core thematic intensity that defined their earlier collaboration, while significantly enhancing visual design, storytelling depth, and theatrical impact.
Producers highlight cross-industry appeal
Producer Prerna Arora said the collaboration with Anupama Parmeswaran was a natural fit for a story that depends heavily on emotional authenticity and screen presence.
She noted that the actor brings calm intensity and emotional clarity to her roles and has demonstrated the ability to connect with audiences across multiple language industries. The makers believe the psychological thriller format will allow her to explore a more layered and demanding character.
Arora, a National Award–winning producer, has previously backed several well-known Hindi films including Rustom, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Pad Man, and Pari. Her banner has often focused on concept-driven cinema across genres.
Expanding production slate for banners
Ess Kay Gee Entertainment has been expanding its production slate with multiple projects across genres. The banner recently released Jatadhara, and is reportedly developing several mid-to-large budget films aimed at theatrical and streaming platforms.
Benchmark Storytellers, the co-producing banner on the new thriller, is also positioning itself toward story-centric cinema with strong genre elements. The collaboration between the two banners signals a push toward tightly written, performance-oriented films rather than spectacle-driven projects.
Trade observers say psychological thrillers continue to perform steadily when backed by strong scripts and credible performances, especially in the multilingual Indian market.
Strong multilingual track record for lead actor
Anupama Parmeswaran has built a steady career across Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema, gaining recognition for naturalistic performances and relatable screen presence. She first rose to wide popularity with Premam and has since featured in successful films such as Karthikeya 2, DJ Tillu, and Rakshasudu.
Known for choosing varied roles, she has moved between romance, thriller and drama genres. Industry watchers believe a psychological thriller led by her could appeal across regional markets, especially if released in multiple dubbed versions.
Her casting as the central character suggests the film will rely heavily on internal conflict, suspense elements, and character psychology rather than action-led storytelling.
Shoot timeline and next updates
The production team has locked May 2026 as the start date for principal photography. Pre-production work, including location scouting, supporting cast selection, and technical crew onboarding, is currently underway.
The title of the film remains under wraps, and the makers have indicated that a first-look poster and official title reveal will be announced closer to the start of shooting. Music, cinematography and platform partners are also expected to be disclosed in subsequent updates.
Conclusion
With a proven multilingual star in the lead, an experienced producer backing the project, and a genre that thrives on strong writing and performances, the upcoming psychological thriller is positioned as a content-driven theatrical venture. As production begins in May 2026, more details on the story and ensemble are likely to shape expectations around the film’s scale and reach.