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Excel Entertainment, the production company founded by actors Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, has partnered with AA Films to handle distribution of “Half,” a Malayalam-language vampire action thriller that will compete in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section. The film marks Excel’s inaugural venture into releasing Malayalam cinema, with distribution rights covering Hindi-language territories across northern India.
“Half” follows two part-vampire characters engaged in a violent pursuit that weaves together high-speed vehicle sequences and themes of revenge within the framework of vampire mythology. Directed by first-time filmmaker Samjad and written by Samjad and Praveen Viswanath, the production features actors Ranjith Sajeev, Aiswarya Raj, Abbas, and Amala Paul. The film was shot over 117 days across diverse locations spanning Rajasthan, Kerala, and Kazakhstan, with stunt work choreographed by Very Tri Yulisman, whose previous credits include action films such as “The Raid 2.”
The production team comprises accomplished Indian filmmakers, including National Film Award-winning editor Mahesh Bhuvanend and sound designer Vishnu Govind. Notably, the film was created without slow-motion sequences, emphasizing immediate visceral impact. The movie is being prepared for simultaneous release across multiple Indian languages—Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada—positioning it as a pan-Indian title. Producer Anne Sajeev expressed enthusiasm about Excel Entertainment’s involvement in bringing the film to broader audiences.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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