# Sarkeet
**Sarkeet** (സർക്കീട്ട്) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Thamar KV, starring Asif Ali, Divya Prabha, Deepak Parambol, and child actor Orhan Hyder[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sarkeet). Set in the [United Arab Emirates](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-arab-emirates), it follows a Malayali couple struggling to raise their young son, who has ADHD, and a desperate job seeker whose chance encounter with the family changes both households over a single day[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms). It is Thamar's second feature after his acclaimed debut *1001 Nunakal* (2022)[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director and writer | Thamar KV (story, screenplay, and dialogues)[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sarkeet) • [4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D) |
| Cast | Asif Ali, Divya Prabha, Deepak Parambol, Orhan Hyder, Remya Suresh, Alexander Prasanth[5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet) |
| Music | Govind Vasantha; lyrics by Anwar Ali and Suhail Koya[5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet) • [4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D) |
| Production | Ajith Vinayaka Films Private Limited and Action Filmz; producers Vinayaka Ajith and Florine Dominic[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sarkeet) |
| Theatrical release | 8 May 2025 (India; earliest release listed for the United Arab Emirates)[5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet) • [6](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt34757142/) |
| Censor certificate | CBFC U, certified 6 May 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram, length 125.14 minutes[4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D) |
| Streaming | ManoramaMAX, from 26 September 2025[7](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/09/14/sarkeet-movie-ott-release-date-confirmed-asif-ali-manorama-max.html) |
## Spoilers
### Plot and setting
The story is set in the Gulf, where Balu (Deepak Parambol) and Stephy (Divya Prabha), a Malayali couple with different religious backgrounds who married for love, work ordinary jobs and strive for financial stability[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms) • [4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D). Their young son, Jeffron (also written Jefron, and called Jeppu or Jappu), is diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the parents are not equipped to handle his sudden tantrums and bursts of emotion; in one arrangement they leave the seven-year-old alone, locked in the house, while they go to work[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms) • [8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/May/09/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-alis-stirring-performance-anchors-this-heartwarming-ride).
Into their lives comes Ameer (Asif Ali), a job seeker from Kerala on his second visit to the Gulf, who faces repeated interview setbacks and must find work before his visa expires within days[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/May/09/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-alis-stirring-performance-anchors-this-heartwarming-ride) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms). Desperate for money to pay a prospective employer who demands a deposit, Ameer commits what the Times of India review calls "a terrible deed": he breaks into what he believes is an empty apartment and finds the child there[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms) • [9](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sarkeet-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmwmdcy). Over a single day and night, an unexpected bond forms between Ameer and the boy, and small moments of empathy alter the course of both families[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715).
The [British Board of Film Classification](https://www.edgepedia.org/british-board-of-film-classification), which certified the film for a 30 May 2025 UK release, notes content including moderate threat, domestic abuse, and upsetting scenes centered on a neurodivergent child, with a reassuring outcome to the boy's disappearance[9](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sarkeet-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmwmdcy).
## Production
Thamar KV is a Dubai-based filmmaker known for grounded, character-driven storytelling in [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema). *1001 Nunakal* (2022), a drama centered on Malayali expatriates living in the Gulf, marked his first film as director; it debuted at the 27th International Film Festival of Kerala and won praise on SonyLIV[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715). In 2024 he co-produced the award-winning *Feminichi Fathima*, and *Sarkeet* returned him to a Gulf backdrop[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715) • [8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/May/09/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-alis-stirring-performance-anchors-this-heartwarming-ride).
The film was produced by Ajith Vinayaka Films Private Limited, a Kerala-based company founded by Ajith Kumar Sudhakaran and Sarath Kumar, together with Action Filmz[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715) • [1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sarkeet). Aeyaz handled cinematography, [Sangeeth Prathap](https://www.edgepedia.org/sangeeth-prathap) edited, and [Govind Vasantha](https://www.edgepedia.org/govind-vasantha) composed the music[5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet).
## Release and box office
*Sarkeet* was certified U by the [Central Board of Film Certification](https://www.edgepedia.org/central-board-of-film-certification) on 6 May 2025 and released in theaters on 8 May 2025[4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D) • [5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet). Listed running times differ across databases: the CBFC record gives 125.14 minutes[4](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D), the BBFC 123 minutes[9](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sarkeet-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmwmdcy), and IMDb 2h 15m (135 minutes)[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34757142/).
Sacnilk reported India net collections of ₹24.4 million (₹2.44 crore) and a total gross of ₹27.3 million (₹2.73 crore), with daily net collections peaking at ₹4.8 million (₹0.48 crore) on 11 May 2025 and declining thereafter[11](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Sarkeet_2025). [Box Office Mojo](https://www.edgepedia.org/box-office-mojo) recorded a worldwide gross of $152,897, all from international markets, led by $129,382 in the United Arab Emirates, with smaller releases in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand[6](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt34757142/). After its theatrical run, the film premiered on ManoramaMAX on 26 September 2025[7](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/09/14/sarkeet-movie-ott-release-date-confirmed-asif-ali-manorama-max.html).
## Reception
Critics singled out the performances. The Cinema Express review rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote that it "rides high on Asif's beautifully understated performance and his rapport with child actor Orhan", comparing its depiction of a child-adult bond to Kamal's *Pookkalam Varavayi* (1991)[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/May/09/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-alis-stirring-performance-anchors-this-heartwarming-ride). The Times of India, also at 3 out of 5, praised Asif Ali's smooth portrayal of Ameer's dilemma and gave a special mention to child actor Orhan for "a difficult role very well"[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms). Onmanorama highlighted Orhan Hyder as the standout and credited Thamar with portraying the boy's ADHD not as a burden but as a challenge for the people around him, while noting that the parallel theme of migrant workers' struggles felt underdeveloped[12](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/05/08/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-ali-divya-prabha-orhan-hyder-thamar-film.html). Nowrunning's K. R. Rejeesh called it a poignant exploration of emotional conflicts, parenting struggles, and expatriate life, elevated by the performances despite a slightly underwhelming climax[5](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet).
The film screened at the International Film Festival of Goa in the Indian Panorama feature films section, under the English title *A Short Trip*[3](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715). IMDb lists one award nomination and a user rating of 6.5/10 from about 1,300 voters[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34757142/).
## References
1. [Sarkeet, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sarkeet)
2. [Sarkeet Movie Review: A superb Asif Ali lends emotional strength to this drama, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/sarkeetreview/movie-review/121004831.cms)
3. [Sarkeet (A Short Trip), IFFI Goa film guide](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6715)
4. [CBFC film search record for SARKEET](https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwOTI5MDQyMDI1MDAwMjY%3D)
5. [Sarkeet Malayalam Movie, Nowrunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/30404/sarkeet)
6. [Sarkeet, Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt34757142/)
7. [Asif Ali starrer 'Sarkeet' locks its OTT release date, Onmanorama](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/09/14/sarkeet-movie-ott-release-date-confirmed-asif-ali-manorama-max.html)
8. [Sarkeet Movie Review: Asif Ali's stirring performance anchors this heartwarming ride, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2025/May/09/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-alis-stirring-performance-anchors-this-heartwarming-ride)
9. [Sarkeet, British Board of Film Classification](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/sarkeet-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmwmdcy)
10. [Sarkeet (2025), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34757142/)
11. [Sarkeet (2025) box office, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Sarkeet_2025)
12. [Asif Ali, Orhan Hyder illuminate 'Sarkeet', Onmanorama review](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/05/08/sarkeet-movie-review-asif-ali-divya-prabha-orhan-hyder-thamar-film.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Malayalam films of the 2020s › Malayalam films of 2025*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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