KOCHI : Malayalam superstar star Nivin Pauly has signed a record ₹1 billion ($12 million) multi-film agreement with Indian production house Panorama Studios, a first-of-its-kind deal for the Malayalam film industry, following the commercial success of his latest release Sarvam Maya.

The agreement will see Nivin star in and co-produce a slate of upcoming films, expanding his role beyond acting at a time when Malayalam cinema is drawing wider national and overseas attention for its storytelling and box-office performance.

Panorama Studios said the partnership aims to develop commercially scalable films rooted in strong narratives, with releases planned for domestic and international markets. Financial terms beyond the overall value of the deal were not disclosed.

Sarvam Maya, a horror-comedy, has emerged as one of Pauly’s biggest career successes, crossing the ₹100 crore mark at the global box office within days of release, according to industry trackers. The film’s performance has been widely credited with triggering the landmark agreement.

Nivin, 40, is among Malayalam cinema’s most bankable stars, known for films such as Premam and Action Hero Biju, and has won multiple state and Filmfare awards over the past decade. In a statement, he said the collaboration reflected his focus on “long-term storytelling, scale and sustainability”.

Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak said Nivin’s “credibility, versatility and audience connect” made him a natural partner as the company looks to strengthen its presence in southern Indian cinema.

Industry analysts say the deal signals a shift in Malayalam cinema, traditionally known for modest budgets, toward larger, studio-backed collaborations as regional films gain wider theatrical and streaming audiences.

The first projects under the agreement are expected to be announced later this year.

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