Cast of Athiradi has attracted considerable attention among Malayalam cinema audiences because of its youthful storyline, energetic performances, campus setting, comedy, action, romance, and emotional drama. The film brings together popular names such as Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, Riya Shibu, Zarin Shihab, Darshana Rajendran, Vishnu Agasthya, Jeo Baby, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Shaan Rahman, and several other talented performers.
Athiradi is a Malayalam action-comedy drama directed by Arun Anirudhan. The story revolves around a college student named Samkutty, who decides to revive a college festival that had been banned after a tragic incident in the past.
Basil Joseph plays Samkutty, while Tovino Thomas appears as Sreekuttan Vellayani, also known as Kuttan. Riya Shibu plays Swathi, Zarin Shihab appears as Varada, and Darshana Rajendran plays Merin.
The film combines the excitement of college life with friendship, family relationships, romance, rivalry, comedy, and action. What begins as an attempt to organize a college festival gradually develops into a much bigger chain of events involving Samkutty, his family, his friends, and Sreekuttan.
One of the major attractions of the movie is the contrast between Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas. Basil’s Samkutty represents youthful enthusiasm and college energy, while Tovino’s Sreekuttan brings a more mature, powerful, and complicated personality to the story.
The movie was released theatrically on 14 May 2026 and later arrived on SonyLIV on 19 June 2026.
This detailed article covers the cast of Athiradi, actor names, actress names, characters, supporting cast, story, director, production details, music, release date, OTT release, where to watch, box office collection, awards and honors, audience response, and many more.
Athiradi Movie Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Athiradi |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
| Director | Arun Anirudhan |
| Writers | Arun Anirudhan, Paulson Skaria |
| Main Cast | Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas |
| Female Cast | Riya Shibu, Zarin Shihab, Darshana Rajendran |
| Producers | Dr. Ananthu S, Basil Joseph |
| Production Houses | Basil Joseph Entertainment, Dr. Ananthu S Entertainment |
| Music | Vishnu Vijay |
| Cinematography | Samuel Henry |
| Editing | Chaman Chakko |
| Theatrical Release | 14 May 2026 |
| OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| OTT Release | 19 June 2026 |
| Country | India |
What Is Athiradi About?
Athiradi is a Malayalam action-comedy drama that combines college life with friendship, romance, family emotions, rivalry, and action.
The story follows Samkutty, an energetic college student who wants to revive a popular college festival known as Arohan.
The festival had previously been banned after a tragic incident. Samkutty’s decision to bring it back is connected not only with his enthusiasm for college life but also with his personal relationship with his elder brother.
As Samkutty starts working on the festival, things become complicated.
His plans bring him into conflict with Sreekuttan Vellayani, a local personality known as Kuttan. Their rivalry creates a series of unexpected situations that transform the festival into something much bigger than Samkutty originally imagined.
The film explores several themes:
- College life
- Friendship
- Family relationships
- Romance
- Rivalry
- Student ambition
- Personal growth
- Comedy
- Action
- Emotional bonding
- Past trauma
The movie moves between light-hearted campus moments and more serious emotional and action-oriented sequences.
Full Cast of Athiradi
| Actor Name | Character Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Basil Joseph | Samkutty / SamBoy | Main Protagonist |
| Tovino Thomas | Sreekuttan Vellayani / Kuttan | Major Character |
| Vishnu Agasthya | Joseph | Samkutty’s Elder Brother |
| Riya Shibu | Swathi | Female Lead |
| Zarin Shihab | Varada | Important Female Character |
| Darshana Rajendran | Merin | Supporting Character |
| Vineeth Sreenivasan | Himself | Special Appearance |
| Shaan Rahman | Himself | Special Appearance |
| Jeo Baby | SI Manichan | Police Officer |
| Kiran Peethambaran | Wilson | Supporting Character |
| Hashir | Dennichan | Supporting Character |
| Shersha Sherief | Vivi Pereira | Supporting Character |
| Ganga Meera | Lovely Madam | Supporting Character |
| Shelvin James | Parashu | Supporting Character |
| Tiss Thomas | Bosco | Supporting Character |
| Sarath Vadi | Vadi | Supporting Character |
| Santhivila Dinesh | Sanal Kumar | Supporting Character |
The film features a sizeable supporting cast that helps create the college environment, local community, police setup, family relationships, and festival-related storyline.
Athiradi Actor Name
The two leading male actors in Athiradi are Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas.
Both actors play characters with very different personalities.
Basil Joseph’s Samkutty is a young college student driven by enthusiasm and emotion, while Tovino Thomas’s Sreekuttan is a more mature and intimidating local figure.
Their contrasting personalities create the main conflict and provide several entertaining and dramatic moments throughout the film.
Basil Joseph as Samkutty
Basil Joseph plays Samkutty, also known as SamBoy, the central character of Athiradi.
Samkutty is an energetic college student who wants to revive the institution’s old festival.
His character is enthusiastic, emotional, ambitious, and sometimes impulsive. He believes strongly in bringing the festival back despite the problems associated with its past.
His motivation is also connected with his elder brother Joseph and the emotional impact of an earlier tragedy.
Samkutty’s journey is not simply about organizing a college event. As the story progresses, he has to deal with rivalry, family issues, friendship, romance, and unexpected problems.
Basil Joseph brings a youthful and humorous personality to the character.
His performance gives Samkutty a relatable quality, especially in the college scenes where his enthusiasm often gets him into trouble.
Tovino Thomas as Sreekuttan Vellayani
Tovino Thomas plays Sreekuttan Vellayani, popularly known as Kuttan.
Sreekuttan is one of the most important characters in the movie.
He is a local personality with a complicated past. Although he has attempted to move away from his earlier violent life, circumstances gradually bring him into conflict again.
His rivalry with Samkutty becomes an important part of the story.
Tovino Thomas gives the character a strong screen presence and creates a clear contrast with Basil Joseph’s youthful Samkutty.
At the same time, Sreekuttan is not presented as a one-dimensional character. His personal relationships and past experiences reveal a more emotional side.
Athiradi Actress Name
The movie features several talented actresses in important roles.
The prominent female performers include Riya Shibu, Zarin Shihab, and Darshana Rajendran.
| Actress Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Riya Shibu | Swathi |
| Zarin Shihab | Varada |
| Darshana Rajendran | Merin |
Each character contributes a different element to the story.
Riya Shibu as Swathi
Riya Shibu plays Swathi, a young woman connected with Samkutty’s college life.
Swathi adds a romantic and emotional dimension to the movie.
Her relationship with Samkutty provides quieter moments within the energetic campus storyline.
The character also contributes to Samkutty’s personal development as he tries to balance his ambitions, friendships, and feelings.
Riya Shibu brings a natural and youthful quality to the role.
Zarin Shihab as Varada
Zarin Shihab plays Varada, a character connected with Sreekuttan’s personal life.
Varada is important because she reveals another side of Sreekuttan’s personality.
While Kuttan is often associated with his aggressive past and imposing personality, his relationship with Varada gives the audience an opportunity to see his softer and more emotional side.
Zarin Shihab’s performance brings warmth and emotional balance to the story.
Darshana Rajendran as Merin
Darshana Rajendran appears as Merin.
Her role is part of the supporting ensemble and contributes to the wider narrative.
Darshana’s presence adds another strong female performer to the cast and helps expand the story beyond its main male characters.
Vishnu Agasthya as Joseph
Vishnu Agasthya plays Joseph, Samkutty’s elder brother.
Joseph is an important character in the emotional foundation of the movie.
The tragedy associated with the old college festival has a strong connection with his life. Samkutty’s desire to bring the festival back is partly influenced by his relationship with Joseph.
Because of this connection, Joseph’s character gives the movie a more serious emotional layer.
Vishnu Agasthya’s performance helps communicate the emotional weight of the family’s past.
Vineeth Sreenivasan in Athiradi
Vineeth Sreenivasan appears in the movie as himself. His appearance is one of the entertaining elements of the film.
The presence of a well-known Malayalam filmmaker, singer, actor, and performer playing himself adds a playful element to the story.
His appearance also connects naturally with the film’s music and college-festival atmosphere.
Shaan Rahman in Athiradi
Shaan Rahman also appears as himself. His appearance adds another entertaining element to the film.
The presence of Shaan Rahman and Vineeth Sreenivasan contributes to the movie’s playful approach and its connection with the music-oriented college environment.
Jeo Baby as SI Manichan
Jeo Baby plays SI Manichan, a police officer. His character becomes involved in the events surrounding the festival and the situations created by the main characters.
Jeo Baby brings his familiar comic and natural performance style to the role. His character provides additional humour and contributes to the supporting storyline.
Supporting Cast of Athiradi
The supporting cast plays a significant role in building the world of Athiradi.
The movie includes characters connected with the college, local community, police department, festival, and personal lives of the protagonists.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Jeo Baby | SI Manichan |
| Kiran Peethambaran | Wilson |
| Hashir | Dennichan |
| Shersha Sherief | Vivi Pereira |
| Ganga Meera | Lovely Madam |
| Shelvin James | Parashu |
| Tiss Thomas | Bosco |
| Sarath Vadi | Vadi |
| Santhivila Dinesh | Sanal Kumar |
| Vineeth Thattil David | Fr. Paul Markose |
| Sonu Surendran | Pachalloor Ani |
| Vipin O P | Juice Shop Harikuttan |
| Meenaraj Palluruthy | Manmadhan |
| Hariharan | Charlie |
| Suryanarayanan | Anto |
These performers help make the college and local setting feel populated and realistic.
Cast and Character Table of Athiradi
| Actor | Character | Character Type |
|---|---|---|
| Basil Joseph | Samkutty / SamBoy | Main Protagonist |
| Tovino Thomas | Sreekuttan Vellayani | Major Character |
| Vishnu Agasthya | Joseph | Emotional Supporting Lead |
| Riya Shibu | Swathi | Female Lead |
| Zarin Shihab | Varada | Important Female Character |
| Darshana Rajendran | Merin | Supporting Character |
| Vineeth Sreenivasan | Himself | Special Appearance |
| Shaan Rahman | Himself | Special Appearance |
| Jeo Baby | SI Manichan | Police Character |
| Kiran Peethambaran | Wilson | Supporting Character |
| Hashir | Dennichan | Supporting Character |
| Shersha Sherief | Vivi Pereira | Supporting Character |
| Ganga Meera | Lovely Madam | Supporting Character |
| Shelvin James | Parashu | Supporting Character |
Story and Plot Overview of Athiradi
The story of Athiradi begins with the history of a college festival called Arohan. The festival had once been a major event at the college, but it was discontinued after a tragic stampede.
Years later, Samkutty becomes a student at the same college. He decides that the festival should return.
His decision is driven by his youthful enthusiasm as well as his emotional connection to his elder brother Joseph and the history surrounding the festival.
Samkutty eventually gets the opportunity to organize the event. However, bringing the festival back is not as easy as he expects.
His growing conflict with Sreekuttan Vellayani creates a series of problems.
What starts as a college celebration gradually develops into a larger confrontation involving friendship, rivalry, family emotions, romance, comedy, and action. The movie therefore combines two different worlds.
One side focuses on youthful campus life, friendships, romance, and festival excitement. The other side deals with family history, local rivalries, past mistakes, and emotional conflicts.
Director Arun Anirudhan
Athiradi was directed by Arun Anirudhan.
He also worked on the screenplay along with Paulson Skaria.
The movie represents an important directorial project for Arun Anirudhan and combines several popular Malayalam cinema genres.
His approach brings together:
- Campus entertainment
- Comedy
- Action
- Romance
- Family drama
- Emotional storytelling
The director uses the college festival as the central narrative device and gradually expands the story into a larger conflict.
Athiradi and Its College Setting
The college setting is one of the most important aspects of the movie. The campus is not simply used as a background. It directly influences the story.
Samkutty’s decision to revive Arohan becomes the main reason for many of the events that follow. The festival creates opportunities for friendship, romance, comedy, conflict, and action.
The movie also explores the connection between present-day students and the memories of events that happened years earlier. This gives the campus setting both a youthful and emotional quality.
Production Details of Athiradi
Athiradi was produced by Dr. Ananthu S and Basil Joseph.
The production brings together a combination of established Malayalam actors and younger performers.
| Production Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Producers | Dr. Ananthu S, Basil Joseph |
| Production Houses | Basil Joseph Entertainment, Dr. Ananthu S Entertainment |
| Director | Arun Anirudhan |
| Writers | Arun Anirudhan, Paulson Skaria |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
| Executive Producers | Nikhil Ramanath, Amal Xavier Manackatharayil |
The production team worked to create a film that could combine the energy of a campus entertainer with the emotional depth of a family and rivalry-based story.
Music and Technical Details
Music is an important part of Athiradi because the film has a strong connection with college celebrations and youthful energy.
Vishnu Vijay composed the music and background score.
Samuel Henry handled cinematography, while Chaman Chakko worked on editing.
| Department | Name |
|---|---|
| Music | Vishnu Vijay |
| Cinematography | Samuel Henry |
| Editing | Chaman Chakko |
| Production Design | Maanav Suresh |
| Art Direction | Akhil Damodar |
| Costume Design | Mashar Hamsa |
| Makeup | Ronex Xavier |
| Action | Action Sandhosh, Phoenix Prabu |
| Sound Design | Nixon George |
| Production Controller | Antony Thomas |
The technical departments help create the energetic campus atmosphere as well as the larger action sequences.
Release Date of Athiradi
Athiradi was released theatrically on 14 May 2026.
The movie arrived as a youthful Malayalam entertainer combining college life, comedy, romance, action, and family emotions.
| Release Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Release | 14 May 2026 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
| Certification | U |
| Runtime | Around 157 minutes |
The theatrical release allowed audiences to experience the film’s music, campus celebrations, action sequences, and performances on the big screen.
Athiradi OTT Release
After its theatrical run, Athiradi became available for digital streaming on SonyLIV.
The movie began streaming on 19 June 2026.
| OTT Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| OTT Release Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Format | Digital Streaming |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
The OTT release gave the movie a wider digital audience after its theatrical journey.
Where to Watch Athiradi
Athiradi can be watched online through SonyLIV.
Viewers who prefer watching Malayalam movies from home can look for the film on the streaming platform and check its current availability and subscription requirements.
| Watch Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Athiradi |
| Streaming Platform | SonyLIV |
| OTT Release | 19 June 2026 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Format | Online Streaming |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
The digital availability makes the movie accessible to viewers who missed its theatrical release.
Athiradi Box Office Collection
Athiradi recorded a strong theatrical performance.
Reported trade estimates placed its worldwide collection above the ₹60 crore mark.
Box-office numbers can differ between tracking platforms because each source may use a different collection methodology. Therefore, reported figures should be considered estimates.
| Box Office Category | Reported Collection |
|---|---|
| India Net | Around ₹37 crore |
| India Gross | Around ₹43 crore |
| Overseas Gross | Around ₹24 crore |
| Worldwide Gross | Around ₹67 crore |
| Opening Day India Net | Around ₹5.5 crore |
| Opening Weekend India Net | Around ₹21 crore |
The movie’s commercial performance was supported by the popularity of Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas, as well as the film’s campus-oriented concept.
Awards and Honors
As of the available information, Athiradi does not have a major list of widely established award wins.
The film’s recognition has mainly been connected with its performances, music, youthful storyline, commercial performance, and audience discussions.
Because award announcements can continue throughout an awards season, unconfirmed awards or nominations should not be treated as official achievements.
| Recognition Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Audience Interest | Strong attention toward the cast and campus story |
| Lead Performances | Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas received considerable attention |
| Music | Vishnu Vijay’s work was an important part of the film |
| Commercial Performance | Worldwide collection crossed ₹60 crore according to reported estimates |
Audience Response and Reviews
Athiradi received attention for its combination of campus entertainment, comedy, action, and emotional drama.
Basil Joseph’s portrayal of Samkutty was appreciated for its youthful energy and humorous personality.
Tovino Thomas also attracted attention for his screen presence as Sreekuttan Vellayani.
The emotional relationship between Samkutty and Joseph adds another layer to the story, while the romance between Samkutty and Swathi provides lighter moments.
Some of the main elements discussed by audiences include:
- Basil Joseph’s performance
- Tovino Thomas’s screen presence
- Campus setting
- College nostalgia
- Comedy
- Action sequences
- Family emotions
- Romance
- Vishnu Vijay’s music
- Supporting performances
The movie works primarily as an energetic entertainer that combines youthful campus life with action and emotional storytelling.
Why Is the Cast of Athiradi Special?
The cast of Athiradi is special because it brings together performers with very different screen personalities.
Basil Joseph leads the movie with his youthful portrayal of Samkutty. Tovino Thomas provides a strong contrast as Sreekuttan Vellayani, a local figure with a complicated past.
Vishnu Agasthya adds emotional depth through Joseph, Samkutty’s elder brother.
Riya Shibu brings a romantic dimension through Swathi, while Zarin Shihab’s Varada helps reveal the softer side of Sreekuttan.
Darshana Rajendran, Jeo Baby, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Shaan Rahman, and the other supporting performers add variety to the ensemble.
The combination of college students, local characters, police officers, family members, and special appearances gives the movie a lively and diverse cast.
Interesting Facts About Athiradi
- Athiradi was released theatrically on 14 May 2026.
- Basil Joseph plays the main character Samkutty, also known as SamBoy.
- Tovino Thomas plays Sreekuttan Vellayani, popularly called Kuttan.
- Arun Anirudhan directed the film.
- The story revolves around the revival of a banned college festival.
- Vishnu Agasthya plays Samkutty’s elder brother Joseph.
- Riya Shibu plays Swathi.
- Zarin Shihab plays Varada.
- Darshana Rajendran appears as Merin.
- Vineeth Sreenivasan appears as himself.
- Shaan Rahman also appears as himself.
- Vishnu Vijay composed the music and background score.
- The film was produced by Basil Joseph and Dr. Ananthu S.
- Athiradi began streaming on SonyLIV on 19 June 2026.
- The film reportedly crossed ₹60 crore worldwide.
- The movie combines college comedy with action, romance, friendship, and family drama.
Athiradi Movie Details at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Athiradi |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Action, Comedy and Drama |
| Director | Arun Anirudhan |
| Producers | Basil Joseph, Dr. Ananthu S |
| Lead Actor | Basil Joseph |
| Lead Actor | Tovino Thomas |
| Main Character | Samkutty |
| Major Character | Sreekuttan Vellayani |
| Female Lead | Riya Shibu |
| Music | Vishnu Vijay |
| Cinematography | Samuel Henry |
| Editing | Chaman Chakko |
| Production Houses | Basil Joseph Entertainment, Dr. Ananthu S Entertainment |
| Theatrical Release | 14 May 2026 |
| OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| OTT Release | 19 June 2026 |
| Worldwide Collection | Around ₹67 crore reported |
| Runtime | Around 157 minutes |
| Certification | U |
Conclusion
The cast of Athiradi is one of the biggest strengths of this Malayalam action-comedy drama. The film brings together Basil Joseph as Samkutty and Tovino Thomas as Sreekuttan Vellayani, along with Riya Shibu, Zarin Shihab, Darshana Rajendran, Vishnu Agasthya, Jeo Baby, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Shaan Rahman, and a large supporting ensemble.
Basil Joseph gives the film its youthful energy through Samkutty, a college student determined to revive the old Arohan festival. Tovino Thomas provides a contrasting personality through Sreekuttan, whose complicated past becomes closely connected with the events surrounding the festival.
The female cast also adds important emotional and romantic elements. Riya Shibu’s Swathi is connected with Samkutty’s personal life, while Zarin Shihab’s Varada reveals a softer side of Sreekuttan. Vishnu Agasthya’s Joseph adds emotional depth through his relationship with Samkutty.
Directed by Arun Anirudhan, Athiradi combines campus nostalgia, comedy, action, romance, friendship, family emotions, and rivalry into one entertaining storyline.
The film was released in theatres on 14 May 2026 and later became available on SonyLIV from 19 June 2026. Its reported worldwide collection of around ₹67 crore also indicates the commercial interest generated by the movie.
For readers searching for Athiradi actor names, actress names, cast and characters, story, OTT release, where to watch, box office collection, awards, or complete movie details, Athiradi offers a lively combination of college entertainment, emotional storytelling, action, humour, romance, and memorable performances.
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