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Dhoomakethu is a 2026 Malayalam time-loop comedy directed by Sudhi Maddison, the filmmaker behind Neymar. Sajin Gopu plays Kuttan, a 36-year-old groom who wakes on his wedding morning from a dream about his own death, only to find the same day starting again and again. Nikhila Vimal plays his bride Sharmila, with Shine Tom Chacko, Ganapathi, Siddharth Bharathan and Manju Pillai in supporting roles. The film reached theatres on 25 September 2026, and here is where you can watch it now.
Dhoomakethu quick facts
- Movie: Dhoomakethu (2026)
- Language: Malayalam
- Genre: Time-loop comedy with a mystery angle
- Director: Sudhi Maddison
- Writers: Sonny and Manu
- Lead cast: Sajin Gopu, Nikhila Vimal
- Theatrical release: 25 September 2026
- OTT: Netflix from 23 October 2026, according to Onmanorama
- Runtime: about two hours (see the details table below)
- Music: Ankit Menon
Where to watch Dhoomakethu online
You can watch Dhoomakethu online on NoWireTV in HD – on the website, the NoWireTV Android app and Android TV / Fire TV.
- Open the Dhoomakethu movie page on NoWireTV.
- Tap Trailer for a quick preview, or Watch Now to start the film.
- On Android TV or Fire TV, search for "Dhoomakethu" in the NoWireTV app and press play.
For its official streaming release, Onmanorama reported on 20 October that the film would begin streaming on Netflix on 23 October 2026, less than a month after it opened in cinemas. We could not find a second outlet confirming the Netflix date, so check the Netflix app for availability in your region. You can browse more titles in the NoWireTV movies section.
Dhoomakethu story (spoiler-light)
Kuttan has finally fixed his marriage to Sharmila, and the wedding is set in a small Kerala town full of nosy neighbours, gossip and family pressure. On the big morning he wakes from a dream in which he dies, and the day starts to feel strangely familiar. Soon it is clear the day is repeating, and every loop throws up new trouble, from armed masked men to a mysterious comet in the sky. Kuttan cannot tell what is real and what is not, and he has to work out why the day keeps resetting, and fix his own past mistakes, before he can actually reach his bride.
The title means "comet" in Malayalam, and both major reviews say the comet is tied to the explanation for the loop. We are leaving the rest of the second half alone.
Dhoomakethu cast
- Sajin Gopu as Kuttan, the groom stuck in the loop
- Nikhila Vimal as Sharmila, his bride
- Shine Tom Chacko in an eccentric supporting role
- Ganapathi in a comic role
- Siddharth Bharathan in a key role
- Manju Pillai in a key role
The Hollywood Reporter India review also notes that Suresh Krishna lends his voice to Kuttan's friend, who phones him with the same request in every loop.
Crew and movie details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Director | Sudhi Maddison |
| Writers | Sonny and Manu |
| Music | Ankit Menon |
| Cinematography | Jinto George |
| Editing | Vivek Harshan |
| Producers | Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid, Sajin Ali and Abbas Thirunavaya (Happy Hours Entertainments and A & HS Production House), as reported by Onmanorama |
| Distribution | Bhavana Release, according to Onmanorama |
| Theatrical release | 25 September 2026, worldwide |
| OTT release | Netflix, 23 October 2026 (reported by Onmanorama) |
| Runtime | 2 hr 2 min per Sacnilk; Flicks lists 120 minutes |
Onmanorama's coverage of the trailer launch notes that the producers are the team behind Sookshmadarshini, and that the first-look poster stood out for its underwater visuals, which are unusual in Malayalam cinema.
Dhoomakethu reviews and reception
Critics were split. In its review, Onmanorama enjoyed the film's oddball tone. It praised the brisk pace, the dialogue and comic timing, and Sajin Gopu's restrained lead performance. It also singled out Shine Tom Chacko and Ganapathi for bringing the right energy. Its complaints were that some plot turns feel convenient, the humour sometimes beats logic, and Nikhila Vimal's character is underwritten.
The Hollywood Reporter India was much harsher. Its review liked the distinctly Malayali small-town wedding setting and the strong premise for one of Malayalam cinema's first time-loop comedies. But it said the repetition grows tiresome, the answers to the mysteries are mundane, and the third act and ending are predictable.
At the box office, Koimoi reported an opening-day Kerala gross of about Rs 68 lakh. Sacnilk's tracking, which it calls approximate, puts the India net at around Rs 1.49 crore and the worldwide gross at around Rs 1.68 crore.
Other time-loop films to watch next
If the premise is your thing, these well-known time-loop films make good company:
- Groundhog Day (1993) – the classic comedy about one day repeating forever
- Maanaadu (2021) – Venkat Prabhu's Tamil time-loop thriller with Silambarasan
- Looop Lapeta (2022) – the Hindi take on Run Lola Run, with Taapsee Pannu
- Palm Springs (2020) – a wedding-day time loop, much like Dhoomakethu's setup
Want more Malayalam entertainment? You can stream Asianet HD, Sun Surya HD, Mazhavil Manorama and Asianet Movies HD live, or browse all live TV channels.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Dhoomakethu online?
You can watch Dhoomakethu on NoWireTV on the website, the Android app and Android TV / Fire TV. According to Onmanorama, the film's official streaming release is on Netflix from 23 October 2026.
Is Dhoomakethu a time-loop movie?
Yes. Kuttan's wedding day keeps repeating after he wakes from a dream about his own death, and he has to find out why the day keeps resetting.
Who is in the cast of Dhoomakethu?
Sajin Gopu plays Kuttan and Nikhila Vimal plays Sharmila. Shine Tom Chacko, Ganapathi, Siddharth Bharathan and Manju Pillai play supporting roles.
Who directed Dhoomakethu?
Sudhi Maddison, who earlier made Neymar, directed the film from a script by Sonny and Manu. Ankit Menon composed the music.
When was Dhoomakethu released in theatres?
Dhoomakethu released in theatres worldwide on 25 September 2026.
What is the runtime of Dhoomakethu?
About two hours. Sacnilk lists it as 2 hours 2 minutes, while Flicks lists 120 minutes.
