Malayalam film Sarvam Maya has found a second life on OTT, resonating more deeply with viewers than it did during its theatrical run. Marketed largely as Nivin Pauly’s comeback, the film surprisingly belongs as much to 21-year-old Riya Shibu, whose portrayal of the friendly ghost Delulu has emerged as the film’s emotional core. Far removed from traditional horror tropes, Delulu is not driven by vengeance or fear, but by compassion, curiosity and a desire to heal.
Delulu enters the life of Prabhendu, played by Nivin Pauly, a man burdened by unresolved grief following his mother’s death and strained relations with his father. Rather than haunting him, Delulu becomes a companion who nudges him towards emotional healing, self-worth and reconciliation. Their bond transforms the film into a tender exploration of grief and closure, showing how healing can come from unexpected connections.
Director Akhil Sathyan subverts the conventions of the horror genre by shifting focus from scares to emotions. Delulu, originally a young woman named Maya, dies tragically before she can confess her love, and loses all memory of her past life after becoming a ghost. As she navigates her new existence, her interactions with Prabhendu slowly help her recover fragments of who she once was. Both characters are emotionally adrift, and their shared journey becomes one of mutual healing rather than fear.
What sets Sarvam Maya apart is its nuanced portrayal of grief. Neither Prabhendu nor Delulu grieves in obvious or melodramatic ways. Instead, their pain manifests through suppressed emotions, confusion and emotional detachment. Delulu’s humour, Gen-Z quirks and vulnerability make her deeply relatable, while Riya Shibu brings a natural charm that makes the character feel fully human despite her supernatural form.
Ultimately, Sarvam Maya leaves viewers with warmth, calm and quiet reflection. Beneath its gentle humour and supernatural premise lie conversations about love, loss, maturity and emotional closure. In a genre dominated by jump scares and revenge narratives, the film dares to be soft, heartfelt and different — and in Delulu, it gives audiences a ghost they won’t forget.
