{{short description|2025 Indian film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Sumathi Valavu | image = Sumathi_Valavu.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Vishnu Sasi Shankar | writer = Abhilash Pillai | producer = Murali Kunnumpurath<br>Gokulam Gopalan | starring = Arjun Ashokan<br>Gokul Suresh<br>Saiju Kurup<br> Balu Varghese<br>Malavika Manoj<br>Sshivada | music = Ranjin Raj | cinematography = P. V. Shankar<ref>{{cite web|title=പേടിപ്പിക്കാൻ 'സുമതി വളവ്' വരുന്നു, വിസ്മയക്കാഴ്ചകളൊരുക്കാൻ 'രാക്ഷസ'ന്റെ ക്യാമറാമാൻ|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/tamil-cinematographer-pv-shankar-to-malayalam-sumathi-valavu-movie-1.9751430|website=Mathrubhumi News|date=23 July 2024|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> | editing = Shafique Mohamed Ali | studio = Waterman Films LLP<br> Sree Gokulam Movies | distributor = Dream Big Films<ref>{{cite web|title= Arjun Ashokan-starrer Sumathi Valavu's Distribution Rights Bagged By Dream Big Films|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/arjun-ashokan-starrer-sumathi-valavus-distribution-rights-bagged-by-dream-big-films-8930272.html|website=News 18|date=12 June 2024|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Ashokan-starrer Sumathi Valavu's Distribution Rights Bagged By Dream Big Films|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/arjun-ashokan-movie-sumathi-valavu-distribution-rights-1.9632182|website=Mathrubhumi News|date=12 June 2024|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> | released = {{Film date|2025|08|01|df=y}} | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = | gross = {{estimation}}{{INR}}25.50 crore <ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=അർജുൻ അശോകന്റെ കരിയർ ഹിറ്റ്; 25 കോടി ക്ലബ്ബിൽ 'സുമതി വളവ്'|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2025/08/19/sumathi-valavu-enters-to-25-crore-club.html |access-date=19 August 2025 |website=Manorama Online}}</ref> }}
'''''Sumathi Valavu''''' ({{translation|Sumathi turn}}) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language horror comedy film directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar and written by Abhilash Pillai.<ref>{{cite web|title=ഭയപ്പെടുത്താൻ 'മാളികപ്പുറം' കൂട്ടുകെട്ട്; അർജുൻ അശോകനും മാളവികയും ഒന്നിക്കുന്ന 'സുമതി വളവ്'|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/arjun-ashokan-movie-sumathi-valavu-announced-1.9584589|website=Mathrubhumi News|date=25 May 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Director Of Arjun Ashokan's Horror Flick Sumathi Valavu Shares Exciting New Update|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/director-of-arjun-ashokans-horror-flick-sumathi-valavu-shares-exciting-new-update-article-119381871|website=Times Now|date=23 March 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> The film stars Arjun Ashokan, Gokul Suresh, Saiju Kurup, Balu Varghese, Malavika Manoj and Sshivada in prominent roles.<ref>{{cite web|title=First look of Arjun Ashokan's 'Sumathi Valavu' out|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2025/Jan/04/first-look-of-arjun-ashokans-sumathi-valavu-out|website=The New Indian Express|date=4 January 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Ashokan to headline Sumathi Valavu, a horror fantasy|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/May/25/arjun-ashokan-to-headline-sumathi-valavu-a-horror-fantasy|website=Cinema Express|date=25 May 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
The film was inspired by a local legend at Sumathi ''valavu'', a spot in Mylamoodu, Thiruvananthapuram, believed to be haunted by the ghost of Sumathi, a woman murdered in the 1950s. The film was shot in the same location.<ref name="MathrubhumiHaunted">{{cite web |title=Kerala's Haunted Places: Myth and Reality |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/specials/kerala-s-haunted-places-myth-and-reality-943b1aea |website=Mathrubhumi |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="TOISshivada">{{cite web |title='Exhausted but heart is full,' says S shivada about her Malayalam film Sumathi Valavu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/exhausted-but-heart-is-full-says-sshivada-about-her-malayalam-film-sumathi-valavu/articleshow/118968820.cms |website=The Times of India |date=13 March 2025 |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> Taking inspirations from the stories, the makers developed a fictional narrative with elements of horror and comedy.<ref name="GulfNewsSshivada">{{cite web |title=Exhausted but heart is full, says S shivada about her Malayalam film Sumathi Valavu |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/exhausted-but-heart-is-full-says-sshivada-about-her-malayalam-film-sumathi-valavu-1.500059271 |website=Gulf News |date=13 March 2025 |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
== Plot == The story is centered on a haunted place called Sumathi Valavu, with the ghost of a Tamil woman guarding it for years. A group of people experience supernatural incidents linked to the location.
== Cast == * Arjun Ashokan as Appu * Gokul Suresh as Mahesh, Appu's friend * Saiju Kurup as Hari, Appu's friend and Forest Officer * Balu Varghese as Ambadi, Appu's friend * Malavika Manoj as Bhama, Appu's lover * Sshivada as Deepa Teacher, Bhama's friend * Abhilash Pillai as Giri, Appu's friend * Joohi Jayakumar as Sreedevi, Mahesh's wife * Sidharth Bharathan as Chemban, Appu's friend * Gopika Anil as Meenakshi, Ambadi's love interest * Manoj K. U. as Vijayan Pillai, Appu's father * Sminu Sijo as Shobha, Appu's mother * Jasnya Jayadeesh as Sumathi / ghost * Siva Ajayan as Kuttappi, Appu and Ambadi's friend * Sreejith Ravi as Sudhakaran, Bhama's father * Ananthalal as Rajan * Sajitha Sreejith * Shravan Mukesh as Bhadran * Deva Nandha as Alli, Appu's niece * Sija Rose as Suja * Shreepath Yan as Vavakuttan, Bhama's brother * Lekshmi Abhilash as Appu's sister * Jayakrishnan as Hamza * Nandu as Shekharan, Mahesh's father and Bhama's uncle * Bobby Kurian as SI Benjamin, Bhadran's accomplice * Kottayam Ramesh as Aashan (Master), Meenakshi's father * Sumesh Chandran as Mani, Bhadran's friend and assistant * Chembil Ashokan as Constable Madhu * Jay Raavu as Velu * Sandeep as Shakthi * Vijaykumar as Adivasi * Sreekanth Vettiyar as doctor * Aniyappan as Pappan * Rafi as Kichu *Bhama as Malu, Mahesh's sister and Hari's wife (Cameo Appearance)
== Production == The film is produced by Murali Kunnumpurath under Waterman Films LLP in association with Think Studios. Principal photography began in November 2024 in Palakkad, Kerala.<ref>{{cite web|title=സുമതി വളവ് ചിത്രീകരണം പാലക്കാട് ആരംഭിച്ചു|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/sumathi-valavu-movie-shooting-started-1.10122876|website=Mathrubhumi|date=30 November 2024|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> Cinematography is handled by P. V. Shankar, with editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumathi Valavu: ഹൊറർ സിനിമയുമായി മാളികപ്പുറം ടീം; 'സുമതി വളവ്' പുതിയ ചിത്രം|url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/sumathi-valavu-horror-thriller-movie-by-malikappuram-team-announced-197153|website=Zee News|date=25 May 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> The film wrapped in March 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Ashokan's Sumathi Valavu shoot completed|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Mar/08/arjun-ashokans-sumathi-valavu-shoot-completed|website=Cinema Express|date=8 March 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
== Music == The film's music is composed by Ranjin Raj.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carpenter Ramesh's song to be heard in 'Sumathi Valavu'; credits to Kerala Kaumudi online|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/mobile/news.php?id=1533674&u=carpenter-rameshs-song-to-be-heard-in-sumathi-valavu-credits-to-kerala-kaumudi-online-%7C-video-1533674|website=Kerala Kaumudi|date=14 May 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
== Release == The teaser of the film released on 20 April 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sumathi Valavu Teaser: 90'സ് പശ്ചാത്തലത്തിൽ പറയുന്ന കഥ; 'സുമതി വളവ്' തിയേറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക്, ടീസർ|url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/sumathi-valavu-teaser-out-now-movie-to-hit-big-screens-on-may-8-228611|website=Zee News|date=20 April 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> Sumathi Valavu was released on 1 August 2025. The film released on ZEE5 from 26 September 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Ashokan-starrer Sumathi Valavu gets a release date|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Feb/13/arjun-ashokan-starrer-sumathi-valavu-gets-a-release-date|website=Cinema Express|date=13 February 2025|access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
==Prequel== On 9 August 2025, the makers announced a prequel titled ''Sumathi Valavu 2: The Origin''. The film will explore the origins of the folklore behind the haunted locale featured in the original, delving into the tragic events that shaped its legend. Director Vishnu Sasi Shankar, writer Abhilash Pillai, composer Ranjin Raj, and producers Gokulam Gopalan and Murali Kunnumpurath will return for the prequel. While it is yet to be confirmed if the original cast will reprise their roles, the producers stated that several prominent South Indian actors will be part of the project. <ref>{{cite web |title=Sumathi Valavu: Makers of Arjun Ashokan's horror-comedy confirm a prequel; deets here |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sumathi-valavu-makers-of-arjun-ashokans-horror-comedy-confirms-a-prequel-deets-here/e9ee7d9797665 |website=OTTplay |date=9 August 2025 |access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sumathi Valavu 2 announced |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Aug/09/sumathi-valavu-2-announced |website=Cinema Express |date=9 August 2025 |access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|33037773}}
Category:2025 films Category:2025 Malayalam-language films Category:Films shot in Palakkad Category:Malayalam-language comedy films Category:Indian comedy horror films Category:2025 Indian films Category:2025 comedy horror films