Young Director Dies at 27 Just After Friday OTT Release

The Malayalam film industry has been left in shock following the sudden death of young director Belraj Kalarickal. The 27-year-old filmmaker was reportedly found dead in a hotel room in Kochi, just after his directorial debut, Kaapi Squad, began streaming on JioHotstar on Friday.

Belraj's death has come at a time when he was taking his first major steps as a director. The release of his debut film was an important milestone in his career, making the news of his sudden demise even more heartbreaking for those who knew him.

According to reports, the exact cause of his death has not yet been officially confirmed. Some reports have suggested a possible heart attack, but the circumstances remain unclear.

Belraj was one of the founding members of First Print Studios, a production house associated with projects such as Ottamuri Velicham and Kerala Crime Files. Before becoming a director, he worked as an assistant on films including Nizhal, Madhuram and Dakini.

His personal life had also recently entered a new chapter. After being in a relationship for six years, he married Athira Bindu Sabu on September 11, 2026.

His untimely death has left friends, colleagues and members of the Malayalam film industry mourning the loss of a young filmmaker whose career was only beginning. The fact that his debut film had just arrived on OTT has made the tragedy even more painful.