Bramayugam Creates History as Sole Indian Film at Prestigious Academy Museum Screening

Mammootty’s magnum opus Bramayugam has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the only Indian film selected for screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Scheduled for February 12, 2026, the film finds its place in the museum’s curated series “Where the Forest Meets the Sea: Folklore from Around the World,” which showcases international folklore and mythology through cinema. This rare honor places the Malayalam folk-horror masterpiece alongside global classics, marking an extraordinary moment for Indian regional cinema on one of the world’s most prestigious platforms.

The Academy Museum’s selection serves as a powerful international validation of the film’s artistic excellence, particularly poignant given its omission from major honors at India’s 71st National Film Awards. While Bramayugam failed to secure recognition in its home country’s official awards circuit, its inclusion in this exclusive Los Angeles screening speaks volumes about its universal artistic appeal. The film’s selection represents a significant rebuttal to its national awards snub, proving that true cinematic craftsmanship transcends borders and award committees.

What sets Bramayugam apart is its distinctive artistic vision, characterized by stunning black-and-white cinematography that creates an atmosphere of restrained menace and haunting beauty. Critics and international viewers have drawn parallels between the film’s aesthetic sensibilities and the work of legendary filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, highlighting its layered storytelling and visual poetry. Mammootty’s portrayal of the enigmatic Kodumon Potti has been widely hailed as a career-defining performance, with the film ranking as the second-best horror film of 2024 on Letterboxd, further cementing its cult status among global cinephiles.

This Academy Museum screening represents more than just a single film’s achievement—it marks a watershed moment for Malayalam cinema’s global recognition. As Bramayugam takes its place among international folklore classics, it paves the way for greater appreciation of regional Indian storytelling traditions on world stages. The film’s journey from Kerala’s folk narratives to the halls of the Academy Museum stands as testament to the universal power of masterful storytelling, proving that when art transcends language and cultural barriers, it speaks to audiences everywhere in the most profound way.