Before Minnal Murali, the idea of a Malayalam superhero film sounded like a gamble. The Minnal Murali trailer changed that perception. It introduced a small-town tailor who gains powers after being struck by lightning on Christmas night, and it did so with humour, local colour and genuine wonder. Directed by Basil Joseph and released on Netflix on 24 December 2021, the film became a national favourite. Here is how the trailer set it up.
Quick Facts
- Film: Minnal Murali (2021)
- Director: Basil Joseph
- Hero: Tovino Thomas as Jaison
- Villain: Guru Somasundaram as Shibu
- Music: Shaan Rahman (songs), Sushin Shyam (score)
- Release: Netflix, 24 December 2021
Table of Contents
The Premise of Minnal Murali
Set in the fictional village of Kurukkanmoola in the 1990s, the film follows Jaison (Tovino Thomas), a young tailor who dreams of moving to America. On Christmas night, he is struck by lightning and discovers he has superpowers. But he is not the only one: Shibu (Guru Somasundaram), a lonely tea-shop worker, was struck by the same bolt. As Jaison becomes the masked hero “Minnal Murali”, Shibu’s pain turns into something dangerous.
7 Brilliant Moments in the Minnal Murali Trailer
1. The lightning strike
The lightning strike on Christmas night, the event the whole campaign is built around, gives the film a clear, memorable origin. It is simple, visual and instantly understandable in any language.
2. The village setting
Kurukkanmoola, with its churches, tea shops and gossiping locals, makes the superhero story feel grounded. The trailer sells the joke of a superhero in a sleepy Kerala village.
3. Tovino as an ordinary man
Tovino Thomas’s Jaison is introduced as a slightly vain, frustrated young man — not a born hero. That makes his discovery of powers both funny and relatable. Read our Tovino Thomas movies guide.
4. Discovering powers through comedy
Instead of a dramatic transformation, the trailer leans into the comedy of an ordinary man figuring out extraordinary abilities. This light touch became the film’s signature.
5. A glimpse of the villain
The trailer keeps Guru Somasundaram’s Shibu largely in the background, hinting that he is more than a typical villain. In the film, his tragic backstory became one of its most praised elements.
6. The homemade costume
The idea of a hero whose look is improvised — by a tailor, of course — is a delightful touch. It tells viewers this is a desi superhero, homemade rather than a Hollywood imitation.
7. Scale on a budget
The trailer’s action glimpses showed that a Malayalam production could deliver convincing superhero visuals. That confidence made audiences across India take notice.
Minnal Murali Trailer vs the Final Film
| Element | In the trailer | In the film |
|---|---|---|
| Jaison | Comic, reluctant hero | Grows into a true hero |
| Shibu | Brief, mysterious | A tragic, unforgettable villain |
| Tone | Fun and light | Fun, with a deep emotional core |
| Action | Glimpses | A strong climactic showdown |
The biggest surprise for audiences was how emotional the film became. Shibu’s love story and loneliness made him one of the most sympathetic villains in Indian cinema. Read our full Minnal Murali review.
The Craft Behind the Film
Basil Joseph had earlier directed the comedies Kunjiramayanam and Godha, and that comic background shapes Minnal Murali. The humour comes from village characters and everyday situations, which keeps the fantasy rooted in a recognisable world.
The music is split between two composers. Shaan Rahman’s songs bring warmth and nostalgia, while Sushin Shyam’s background score gives the action and the villain’s scenes their weight.
Above all, the film treats its hero and villain as mirror images. Both are outsiders struck by the same lightning; what separates them is how the village treats them. That idea gives this Malayalam superhero film an emotional depth that many bigger-budget superhero films lack.
Who Should Watch Minnal Murali
It is one of the best choices for a family watch: funny, mostly gentle and suitable for children, with a few intense moments in the climax. Fans of Hollywood superhero films will enjoy spotting familiar genre beats played in a fresh, local way.
If you liked it, try Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra next to see how Malayalam fantasy has grown since.
The Impact of Minnal Murali
Released directly on Netflix in multiple languages, Minnal Murali reached audiences across India and abroad. It proved that the superhero genre could be adapted to Indian small-town life with humour and heart. Basil Joseph won Best Director at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for the film. Its success also paved the way for later fantasy films such as Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, which became a record-breaking hit in 2025. Read our Lokah trailer breakdown.
Revisiting the Minnal Murali Trailer Today
Seen again after the film, the trailer is a neat example of selling a genre without selling the whole story. It promises a funny origin tale and keeps the villain’s emotional journey almost completely hidden, which is why so many viewers were caught off guard by how moving the film became.
It also shows how much a strong central idea matters. A tailor, a village and a lightning strike on Christmas night are all you need to understand the hook, whatever language you speak.
Key Cast in the Trailer
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Tovino Thomas | Jaison / Minnal Murali |
| Guru Somasundaram | Shibu |
| Femina George | Bruce Lee Biji |
| Aju Varghese | Supporting role |
| Harisree Ashokan | Supporting role |
Read more about the director in our Basil Joseph movies guide.
Where to Watch Minnal Murali
Minnal Murali streams on Netflix, where it premiered. See our list of the best Malayalam movies on Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Minnal Murali?
Basil Joseph, who also directed Kunjiramayanam and Godha.
Who plays the villain in Minnal Murali?
Guru Somasundaram plays Shibu.
Was Minnal Murali released in theatres?
No. It premiered directly on Netflix on 24 December 2021.
Will there be a Minnal Murali 2?
A sequel has been widely discussed, but no release date had been confirmed at the time of writing.
Who composed the music for Minnal Murali?
Shaan Rahman composed the songs and Sushin Shyam composed the background score.
Is Minnal Murali suitable for kids?
Generally yes. It is a light, family-friendly desi superhero story, though the climax has some intense action.
Where is Minnal Murali set?
In the fictional village of Kurukkanmoola, Kerala, in the 1990s.
Conclusion
The Minnal Murali trailer made a bold idea feel natural: a superhero born in a Kerala village. With humour, heart and confident visuals, it launched one of India’s most beloved superhero films. For more, see Minnal Murali on Wikipedia.
