Happy Birthday Anushka Shetty: Baahubali's Devasena shines as ‘Nila’ in Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer

The much-awaited fantasy thriller Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer continues to generate excitement among movie lovers with every new reveal.

The makers have now unveiled the first look of Anushka Shetty from the film, marking her grand debut in Malayalam cinema. 

The poster, released on the occasion of the actress’s birthday, showcases Anushka in a regal and mystical avatar that has left fans in awe.

Also Read: 'I love you'! Baahubali’s Devasena aka Anushka Shetty recalls saying 'Okay' to 'first love proposal'

Anushka Shetty as Nila: A Timeless Beauty

The production house, Sree Gokulam Movies, shared the stunning first look with the caption, “Not the tale you know, but the one rewritten by time! A timeless beauty. Happy Birthday, dear Anushka Shetty. The face of our Nila &… #Kathanar #KathanarTheWildSorcerer.” 

Not the tale you know, but the one rewritten by time.!

A timeless beauty..

Happy Birthday, dear #AnushkaShetty. The face of our Nila &… #Kathanar#Kathanarthewildsorcerer@GokulamMovies@GokulamGopalan#RojinThomas@Actor_Jayasurya#BaijuGopalan#VCPraveen#Krishnamoorthypic.twitter.com/D4GKThpHXu

— SreeGokulamMovies (@GokulamMovies) November 7, 2025

The poster confirms that Anushka will portray Nila, a reimagined version of Kalliyankattu Neeli, a legendary figure from Kerala folklore.

The makers hinted that the film would offer a fresh interpretation of the Kathanar-Neeli myth, diverging from traditional Aithihyamala tales.

With Anushka’s striking presence and the promise of a deeper narrative, her character is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated roles in Malayalam cinema.

Jayasurya as Kathanar: The Mystical Sorcerer

Earlier, the team had revealed actor Jayasurya’s first look on his birthday in August. His intense and fear-inducing appearance as Kadamattathu Kathanar, the legendary 9th-century Christian priest believed to possess supernatural powers, had already created a buzz.

The tagline “Not the tale you know, but the one rewritten by time” connects both posters, suggesting a unique storytelling approach that blends history, faith, and fantasy.

In addition to Jayasurya and Anushka Shetty, the film features Prabhu Deva in a key role, with Devika Sanjay, Vineeth, Sandy Master, and Srikanth Murali playing significant supporting characters.

Also Read: Anushka Shetty's emotional announcement; takes a break from...

A Two-Part Fantasy Epic

Directed by Rojin Thomas and written by R. Ramanand, Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer is being produced by Gokulam Gopalan under Sree Gokulam Movies, with VC Praveen and Baiju Gopalan as co-producers. The film is being hailed for introducing advanced virtual production techniques to Indian cinema.

The film’s first chapter is expected to hit theatres by the end of 2025, with a second instalment already planned.