New poster of Pranav Mohanlal’s Dies Irae unveiled on actor’s birthday, sparks cult speculation

On the occasion of Pranav Mohanlal’s birthday on 13 July, the makers of the upcoming Malayalam horror thriller Dies Irae unveiled a striking new poster that has since ignited a flurry of speculation across social media platforms.

The red-hued image, released at midnight, shows Pranav in a rugged and brooding look, accompanied by the cryptic presence of three pairs of legs in the background — a detail that has prompted theories ranging from cult affiliations to secret society symbolism.

The intense visual and its eerie composition have become a hot topic in Malayalam film communities on social media, with users dissecting the frame for clues. Many have drawn parallels to cult imagery, with some even suggesting allusions to the Illuminati.

While the makers have remained tight-lipped about the plot, the viral nature of the poster has only heightened anticipation.

Dies Irae, which translates from Latin as Day of Wrath — a nod to a medieval hymn describing Judgment Day — is set for release on 31 October, perfectly timed as a Halloween special.

The film marks Pranav Mohanlal’s return to a lead role after his performance in Varshangalkku Shesham (2024), and a cameo in Empuraan earlier this year.

Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, Dies Irae will be his third consecutive venture in the horror genre, following the critically acclaimed Bhoothakaalam (2022) and the box-office hit Bramayugam (2024), which starred Mammootty.

The project reunites Rahul with a team of familiar and trusted collaborators. Shehnad Jalal returns as the cinematographer, with Shafique Mohamed Ali handling editing duties. Art direction is helmed by Ponman director Jothish Shankar, while Christo Xavier scores the music. Action choreography is led by Kalai Kingson, known for his work in Marco. All were previously part of the Bramayugam team.

Dies Irae is being produced under the banners of Night Shift Studios and YNOT Studios, with Ramachandra Chakravarthy and S. Sashikanth backing the project.

With its foreboding title, eerie visuals, and a proven horror director at the helm, Dies Irae is already emerging as one of the most talked-about Malayalam releases of the year — especially among horror genre enthusiasts.