The cameras are rolling in London, and a new chapter in Tamil cinema has quietly begun. Raja Krishna Menon joins hands with Trisha Krishnan for his debut Tamil feature, an untitled psychological horror drama that marks a sharp turn from the high-stakes spectacles he built his name on. Principal photography officially commenced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, with the project backed by Panorama Studios in association with Locomotive Global.

A Genre Shift For A Director Known For Scale

Menon’s filmography reads like a study in range. From the patriotic rescue drama Airlift to the culinary road film Chef and the war biopic Pippa, his work has consistently leaned into grounded, high-emotion storytelling. This new project breaks that mould entirely.

The story centres exclusively on women, a first for the director. Trisha Krishnan leads the cast, joined by Radhika Sarathkumar and Aparna Balamurali in pivotal roles. The trio represents three generations of Tamil screen talent, and their casting signals a character-driven horror piece rather than a jump-scare spectacle. Speaking about the pivot, Menon said, “Someone once quite aptly called me ‘genre agnostic,’ and this film is another exploration in that journey. This is a story that is a first for me in many ways — my first film in Tamil, my first psychological horror, and my first story centred entirely around women.”

The London Shoot And The Cast Equation

Shooting in London adds a distinct visual texture to the project. The city’s grey, atmospheric spaces suit psychological horror better than the sun-drenched locales typical of Tamil productions. It also gives the film a global production value that could travel well beyond domestic markets.

Menon was effusive about his collaborators. “Adding to that is the privilege of working with Trisha Krishnan, Radhika ma’am, Aparna Balamurali, the wonderful cast and a fantastic crew. It makes this journey all the more exciting,” he said. The director also acknowledged the backing from Panorama Studios, a banner that has increasingly invested in pan-Indian storytelling. For Trisha, this marks another ambitious collaboration in a career defined by bold choices — from 96 to Ponniyin Selvan — and a horror role could showcase a side of her craft audiences rarely see.

Why This Matters For Tamil Cinema

Here’s the thing: Tamil cinema has seen a surge in horror and supernatural thrillers, but most lean on folklore or masked slasher tropes. A psychological horror drama — one built on atmosphere and internal dread rather than external threat — is comparatively rare in the mainstream space.

Menon’s entry into this territory matters for two reasons. First, it brings a director trained in realistic, character-first filmmaking to a genre that often sacrifices psychology for scares. Second, it positions a female-led cast at the centre of a genre traditionally dominated by male protagonists.

The untitled project also continues a trend of established Hindi-language directors crossing into Tamil cinema. The exchange of talent between industries has accelerated over the past few years, and Menon’s debut adds another layer to that cross-pollination.

What Happens Next

Production is underway in London, with the team expected to continue filming across multiple schedules. No release date has been announced, but a psychological horror drama of this scale typically requires substantial post-production time for sound design and colour grading — both critical to the genre’s impact. For audiences, the anticipation is twofold.

There’s curiosity about how Menon’s measured, realistic style translates into horror, and there’s excitement about watching Trisha Krishnan navigate a genre she has rarely explored in her two-decade career. The film’s success could open doors for more such experiments — both for Menon in Tamil cinema and for producers willing to back female-led genre films. If the London shoot delivers on its promise, this could be the psychological thriller that redefines what Tamil horror looks like. The verdict: A genre-agnostic director, a star willing to take risks, and a production house betting on women-led horror — this is the kind of project that could quietly become a landmark. All eyes are on London.

FAQs

Who is directing Trisha Krishnan's new Tamil film?

Raja Krishna Menon, known for Airlift and Chef, is directing his first Tamil film, a psychological horror drama starring Trisha Krishnan. Where is the film being shot? Principal photography has commenced in London, with production backed by Panorama Studios and Locomotive Global.

Who else is in the cast? Radhika Sarathkumar and Aparna Balamurali play pivotal roles alongside Trisha Krishnan. What genre is the film? It is a psychological horror drama centred entirely around women characters. When will the film release? No release date has been announced yet, as filming is currently underway.

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