Sudev Nair on his debut Malayalam web series Kammattam: Being part of a crime thriller was a long-pending wish

Actor Sudev Nair, in a khaki uniform, is a familiar sight for the Malayali audience, but this time, he is set to make headlines as he steps into the shoes of

Antonio George

, an investigating officer in his debut

Malayalam web series

,

Kammattam

. Scheduled to release on First Onam, September 4, the crime thriller has already created a buzz with its gripping trailer. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Sudev opens up about his experience, character transformation, and the growing potential of Malayalam content on OTT platforms.“The Malayalam industry produces incredible crime thrillers, and it’s been a long-standing wish of mine to be part of one. Though Kammattam is a web series, it offers a truly cinematic experience. From the visuals to the narrative hooks, it’s going to be a thrilling watch. The story does get intense, but it's still something you can enjoy from your couch. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, but without overwhelming your mind,” says Sudev.Revealing how the character of Antonio George evolved during production, Sudev shared an interesting behind-the-scenes change.

“In the initial narration, Antonio was an older, down-and-out alcoholic but brilliant officer, someone who had lost his edge due to personal struggles. I even gained some weight and added silver streaks to my hair to fit that image. But when I arrived on set in the police uniform, the director changed his mind. Thanks to my still-fit physique, he reimagined Antonio as a younger, sharper officer. The genre also shifted; it became more layered and intense.”Sudev believes the real-life inspiration behind the story adds depth and relatability.“What sets this series apart is that the cases featured are ones the viewers already know. We’ve read them as headlines, but Kammattam explores the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’ It navigates the human connections and motives behind each crime, making the series more powerful and emotionally engaging,” he added.Another surprising fact about Kammattam is its incredibly tight shooting schedule.“Yes, it’s true, we shot the entire series in just 11 days. The biggest challenge for me as an actor was maintaining the same energy throughout, whether it was 4 a.m. or midday. We often had 24-hour shoots. But the real heroes were the crew. While I could catch a nap between scenes, the team worked tirelessly to prep the next one. That’s the spirit of Malayalam cinema, it’s this kind of dedication that earns respect and inspires others to chase excellence even with limited resources,” the actor gushed.

Sudev believes the time is ripe for Malayalam content to shine in the digital space.“The only real challenge Malayalam web series face is the longer narrative format, which is time-consuming and economically demanding. But once we crack that, we’re looking at a golden era for Malayalam OTT content. Kammattam, being the first original Malayalam series on the OTT platform, opens up a whole new world of opportunities for content creators,” he concluded.Kammattam premieres on Thursday, September 4, exclusively on Zee5.