Malayalam Director Belraj Kalarickal Dies at 27, Days After ‘Kappi Squad’ Debut

Malayalam filmmaker Belraj Kalarickal, who recently made his independent directorial debut with the web series Kappi Squad, died in Kochi on Saturday, October 17, 2026. He was reported to be 27 years old. His death came just days after the series premiered on JioHotstar, marking a major milestone in his filmmaking career.

Filmmaker and producer Rahul Riji Nair paid tribute to Belraj, remembering him as a close friend, a creative force and one of the founding members of First Print Studios. The sudden loss has prompted tributes from colleagues in the Malayalam entertainment industry.

Belraj Kalarickal Found Dead in Kochi

Belraj was found dead in a hotel room in Kochi on October 17, according to media reports. Preliminary reports indicated a possible heart attack, although initial coverage said the exact circumstances surrounding his death were yet to be fully established. The filmmaker was a native of Manimala in Kerala’s Kottayam district. He had worked behind the scenes on several Malayalam film projects before stepping into independent direction. Salim Kumar Dies at 56: Malayalam Superstar Mammootty Pens Emotional Tribute, Says 'Your Departure Has Become an Unending Sorrow'.

‘Kappi Squad’ Marked His Directorial Debut

Belraj made his directorial debut with Kappi Squad, a Malayalam web series that began streaming on JioHotstar on October 15, just two days before news of his death emerged. The series was produced by Rahul Riji Nair under the banner of First Print Studios and created by Srikanth Mohan. The comedy-drama follows four young people and their entrepreneurial ambitions. The cast includes Rinosh George, Anagha Ajith, Diya Deepan and Joel Joseph.

The series represented an important step in Belraj’s career after years of working in assistant and associate director roles. Reports said filming for the project had been completed before its release.

Rahul Riji Nair Pays Tribute to Belraj

Rahul Riji Nair shared an emotional tribute following Belraj’s death, describing him as a dear brother and a guiding presence within First Print Studios. Nair acknowledged Belraj’s contribution to the production house and his dedication to filmmaking, saying his absence would leave a lasting void in the team. He also expressed solidarity with the filmmaker’s grieving family and friends. Savithri Sreedharan, Malayalam Film and Theatre Actress, Dies at 78.

JioHotstar Malayalam also remembered Belraj, crediting him with bringing Kappi Squad to life and expressing sadness that he would not be able to share more stories with the audience.

Belraj Kalarickal’s Work in Malayalam Cinema

Before directing Kappi Squad, Belraj worked as an assistant or associate director on Malayalam projects including Nizhal, Madhuram and Dakini. His experience also connected him with other projects associated with Rahul Riji Nair, including Keedam and Kho Kho.

Belraj had also recently married. Reports said he tied the knot in September 2026 after a relationship spanning around six years. His death has therefore come at a time when both his personal life and filmmaking career were entering a new phase. His passing marks the loss of a young filmmaker whose first independent directorial project had only just reached audiences. Further confirmed details about the circumstances of his death were awaited in the reports reviewed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2026 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).