Approximately thirty minutes into “Bramayugam,” the notion of a black hole begins to surface in one’s mind. The eerie, ancient ‘mana’ presided over by Kodumon Potty seems to beckon all who venture into its vicinity, yet none have returned, akin to the insatiable pull of a black hole. Even Potty himself admits to being isolated from the outside world for an extended period, prompting doubts about his true existence as revealed by the unfolding narrative.

Within this enigmatic realm, time appears to stagnate, much like the vicinity of a black hole, leaving its inhabitants disoriented regarding the passage of days or years spent within its confines. Even in the game of dice proposed by Potty (portrayed by Mammootty) to the latest entrant (Arjun Ashokan), time becomes the ultimate gamble. Losing the game signifies a lifetime sentence within the ‘mana’. Rahul Sadasivan skillfully transports viewers into this timeless dimension, evoking a sense of vulnerability akin to being at the mercy of the malevolent Potty, who brooks no defiance.

Given the inventive horror treatment in Sadasivan’s previous work “Bhoothakalam,” expectations for “Bramayugam” were high. However, the film diverges into a fantasy mystery narrative with sporadic moments of mild suspense. The appearance of supernatural entities like a ‘chaathan’ and an ‘yakshi’ adds little to the overall atmosphere, as the unseen remains inherently more terrifying, as demonstrated in “Bhoothakalam.” Amidst these elements, Mammootty’s portrayal of Potty stands out, his sinister laughter and deep voice instilling a chilling aura. Mammootty’s interpretation of the character, though distinct, occasionally evokes shades of Bhaskara Pattelar from “Vidheyan” (1994).