Sarvam Maya review: Nivin Pauly and Riya Shibu’s horror comedy entertains more than expected

Sarvam Maya review

• "Sarvam Maya," a Malayalam horror-comedy with Nivin Pauly, releases Dec 25, 2025.
• Nivin Pauly and Riya Shibu excel in a humorous, emotional, and self-discovery tale.
• The film is feel-good and character-driven with few jump scares.

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Director: Akhil Sathyan

Cast: Nivin Pauly, Riya Shibu, Aju Varghese, Janardhanan, Preity Mukhundhan,

Rating: 3.5/5

Sarvam Maya is a great new Malayalam horror-comedy film. It came out in theatres on December 25, 2025. There are a number of interesting characters in the movie, such as Nivin Pauly. Some parts are funny, some are sad, and some make you feel wonderful.

Plot:

The story is about Prabhendu, who was reared by Hindu priests but now doesn't believe in God.Now that he's quit doing what he used to do, he wants to be a famous musician. Sadly, life is hard, and soon he has to deal with money issues.

Prabhendu goes to meet his cousin Roopesh, who is a priest, in Palakkad, their village. He doesn't believe in rituals or faith, yet he does things to gain money. He meets a ghost that only he can see, and it makes his already bad existence worse in a way that surprises him. Delulu is the name of the spirit. She acts like a Gen Z person and can't recall anything about her past. When things get crazy and hard to understand around her, they become friends. At first, the problem is just that, but it slowly turns into a journey of self-discovery that helps Prabhendu understand more about Delulu's past and think about his own ideals.

Analysis and performance:

Sarvam Maya is largely a funny movie that shows off Nivin Pauly's best qualities. The actor does a great job as the nice neighbor, reminding fans why he is still the best at comic timing and being authentic on screen.

The chemistry between Nivin Pauly and Riya Shibu is great, which makes the plot more real and fun. The horror-comedy doesn't include any jump scares, unlike others of its kind. It doesn't focus on narratives; instead, it focuses on amusing, sad, and character-driven situations.

Akhil Sathyan, the director, gives the movie a nice, tranquil tone, like the light-hearted dramas that his father, Sathyan Anthikad, made famous. The way the story is delivered is peaceful and friendly, which makes the movie feel both new and old.

The writing has a little bit of Gen-Z style, which helps the jokes feel fresh and not too forced. Manu Manjith's lyrics are incredibly deep, and Justin Prabhakaran's music is quite peaceful. Sharan Velayudhan's calm cinematography shows off the beautiful scenery of Palakkad, which adds to its charm.The end of the movie brings everything together well and has a big effect.

The movie is largely fascinating, but the second half drags on a bit and some portions seem to take too long.

Nivin Pauly's performance in the movie is honest, calm, and fresh. Aju Varghese plays a prominent supporting role and brings back the hilarious relationship that fans adored in his work with Nivin Pauly before.

Riya Shibu does a terrific job as Delulu, making her look funny, innocent, and insightful.

Also Read: 10 girl-next-door fashion moments of Riya Shibu; the Sarvam Maya actress’ charm is irresistible

Verdict:

Sarvam Maya is a great movie for people who desire a clean, feel-good story with a combination of light comedy and emotional warmth. It may not redefine the horror-comedy genre, but it has enough heart, wit, and charm to be a delightful movie to watch.If you like Nivin Pauly or lighthearted fun, you should see this movie in theaters or on OTT later.