Akhil Anilkumar: Letting Stories Find Their Own Endings
For Akhil Anilkumar, cinema has never been about fixed plans or rigid formulas. It is a space of exploration where ideas evolve, characters grow on their own terms, and even endings are allowed to change until the very last draft. As a writer and director, Akhil believes that stories reveal themselves slowly, through patience, collaboration, and repeated rewriting. This philosophy is evident across his journey and especially in his most personal work, Thalavara.
Born in Palakkad, Kerala, Akhil’s entry into cinema began from a technical angle rather than a purely narrative one. He studied sound designing in Kochi, a choice that shaped his sensitivity towards how sound, silence, and rhythm influence storytelling. During his bachelor’s degree, filmmaking was already an active pursuit. He made several short films at a time when most were still discovering their interests. These early projects also saw him stepping in front of the camera, acting in a few short films, which helped him understand performance from an actor’s point of view.
One of Akhil’s short films unexpectedly became a hit, marking a turning point in his career. A producer who watched the film reached out and asked if he had ideas for a feature film. Akhil responded with a women-centric story, which later developed into Archana 31 Not Out (2022). The film became his first feature project and firmly established him as a filmmaker with a clear voice and strong narrative intent.
Soon after completing Archana 31 Not Out, Akhil became part of the anthology film Freedom Fight (2022). The project brought together five directors, including Jeo Baby and Francies Louis, and was made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the uncertainty and restrictions of the period, the film emerged as a bold and socially relevant anthology. Akhil worked on Freedom Fight after finishing the shoot of Archana 31, using the pandemic phase as a period of reflection and intense creative work.
During this time, Akhil continued making short films and began focusing deeply on writing. Along with his assistant writer, he started developing screenplays through multiple drafts, reworking scenes, dialogues, and character arcs. This phase of disciplined writing eventually gave rise to Thalavara (2025), a film that he both wrote and directed.
When asked about the origin of Thalavara, Akhil explains that the title itself means “destiny.” True to its name, the film was written in a way that allowed the story to organically take shape. The scripting process was intentionally unique. Even familiar cinematic moments, such as proposal scenes, were approached differently. Every character was crafted with purpose, carrying its own meaning within the narrative. Notably, the ending of Thalavara was never pre-planned. Each draft resulted in a different conclusion, and the final ending emerged only after extensive rewriting and creative struggle.
Akhil strongly believes that cinema is a collective art form. This belief reflects in his decision to work with different editors and cinematographers for each film. According to him, changing teams brings in new energies and perspectives, allowing every project to develop its own distinct style. For Akhil, a new team means a new journey, and repetition is something he consciously avoids.
Music became a powerful element in Thalavara. Composer Sushin Shyam introduced Akhil to Electronic Kili, who later composed the film’s music. Initially, two songs were created, both of which became widely appreciated. One song in particular, described by Akhil as igniting the emotion of love, played a crucial role in defining the film’s mood. The music added layers of intensity and worked seamlessly with the narrative.
Casting the film was another carefully considered process. Akhil’s approach was guided by his desire to keep every element of the film unique. Producer Shebin Backer suggested actor Arjun Ashokan for a role, and after discussions, both the actor and director aligned creatively, leading to the collaboration. The female lead of Thalavara marked her debut in Malayalam cinema. She was selected through auditions conducted soon after the character was written, ensuring authenticity in performance.
Set along the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, Thalavara naturally incorporated Tamil dialogues. Akhil felt it was essential that the language reflected the geography and cultural reality of the story, making the film linguistically balanced and believable.
Currently, Akhil Anilkumar is working on a new project in a completely different genre, co-writing the film with another writer. His journey so far stands as a reflection of perseverance, experimentation, and trust in the creative process. With Thalavara, shaped through countless drafts and challenges, Akhil proves that sometimes the most honest stories are the ones that find their own ending.
Filmography
Archana 31 Not Out (2022)
Freedom Fight (2022)
Thalavara (2025)
