ZEE5 is stepping into the Malayalam content space with its first original series, ‘Kammattam’, a six-episode crime thriller premiering on September 5, coinciding with the festival of Onam. Inspired by a real-life incident in Thrissur, the series unfolds a murder mystery built on themes of betrayal, silence, and moral conflict.

‘Kammattam’ is directed by Shan Thulasidharan and produced by 23 Feet Productions. The series features Sudev Nair in the lead role, alongside Jins, Jeo Baby, Ajay Vaasudev, Akhil Kavalayoor, Arun Sol, Sreerekha, and Jordy Poonjaa. Actor Tovino Thomas unveiled the trailer, extending his wishes to the team while celebrating ZEE5’s foray into Malayalam originals.

The story begins with the mysterious death of planter Samuel Umman, initially believed to be a road accident. Suspicion grows when Circle Inspector Antonio George discovers that a necklace has gone missing from the scene. His probe leads him to Shaji, an auto driver with a criminal history, who is soon found dead in a quarry. The investigation takes another turn when a two-wheeler abandoned at a construction site links the trail to Francis, a quiet worker at Samuel’s plantation. As Antonio digs deeper, a web of secrets and silences unravels, giving Kammattam its gripping edge.

Lloyd C Xavier, Business Head–Malayalam and Tamil, and Sr. VP Marketing South at ZEE5, said, “Launching Kammattam as ZEE5’s first Malayalam original is more than just a strategic move; it’s a cultural and emotional milestone for us. Onam, a festival celebrating new beginnings, was the perfect time to mark our entry into Malayalam storytelling. This marks the beginning of our long-term commitment to Malayalam originals.”

Actor Sudev Nair described the project as one of his most rewarding journeys. “The character I play demanded emotional depth and honesty in portraying human behavior’s silences, fears, and contradictions. For me, Kammattam is significant not only because it’s ZEE5’s first Malayalam original but also because it takes Kerala’s stories to audiences across India and beyond,” he said.

Director Shan Thulasidharan added that the series is more than just a crime narrative. “It is about peeling back the layers of silence, betrayal, and morality beneath a chilling real-life incident. To see this story become ZEE5’s first Malayalam original is humbling, and I hope viewers experience both the suspense and the cultural truths at its heart.”

With ‘Kammattam’, ZEE5 aims to establish a strong base in the Malayalam market, amplifying regional stories on a national and global stage. The series streams exclusively on ZEE5 from September 5.