Bramayugam makes history: Mammootty leads first Indian film ever at Academy Museum in Los Angeles

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There was a quiet but significant milestone for Indian cinema this week. Bramayugam was screened at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, becoming the first Indian feature film to do so.

A historic first for Indian cinema

The screening was held on February 12, 2026, under the museum’s series Where the Forest Meets the Sea: Folklore From Around the World. The programme brought together films rooted in traditional stories and myth. Bramayugam stood as the only Indian title in that selection.

It wasn’t a loud, flashy event. But for many watching from back home, it felt important.

Mammootty at the centre

The film stars Mammootty, whose performance has been central to the film’s reception since its release.

Videos from inside the theatre soon began circulating online. The hall appeared full, and the applause at the end was steady and warm. During the introduction, Mammootty was referred to as a “Mollywood legend”.

For Malayalam cinema, moments like this don’t come often on such a stage.

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Story that made the history

Directed by Rahul Sadasivan and shot in black and white, ‘Bramayugam’ is a period folk horror drama. The choice gives the film stark and almost unsettling texture.

The story follows folk musician Thevan who seeks refuge in eerie ancestral mansion. This ends him up in encounters with supernatural forces and unsettling truths.

Mammootty’s performance as enigmatic sorcerer ‘Kodumon Potty’ has received praise for its haunting intensity.

Recognition that keeps building

The Los Angeles screening adds to growing list of achievements for the film. Back home, it received strong critical appreciation and recognition at the Kerala State Film Awards, where Mammootty was honoured for his performance.

Additionally, Bramayugam ranked second in Letterboxd’s 2024 list of best horror films and has become a part of the sound design curriculum at the University for the Creative Arts in United Kingdom.

None of this happened overnight. The film has been gathering attention steadily, step by step.

For many in the industry, the Academy Museum showcase is symbolic. It signals how regional Indian cinema especially Malayalam films are increasingly receiving recognition beyond traditional markets.