Kalari
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, Action
For her father's birthday, Thanvi attends a Kalaripayattu class in Chicago. However, it's nothing like what she remembers from her childhood. "Kalari" is an upcoming, entirely unique South Indian Martial Arts comedy set to shoot this summer (2026), based on the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu.
Kalari
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, Action
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
12 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$400
Goal: $8,935 for production
For her father's birthday, Thanvi attends a Kalaripayattu class in Chicago. However, it's nothing like what she remembers from her childhood. "Kalari" is an upcoming, entirely unique South Indian Martial Arts comedy set to shoot this summer (2026), based on the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
First, let me give you guys a little history lesson. So, there's this ancient South Indian Martial Art called Kalaripayattu. It's a non-standardized multi-combat style art originating from modern-day Kerala. It's commonly in contention for one of the oldest martial arts still being practiced today. It's really, really cool, and it's a shame that not many people outside of the culture are aware of it. Just look at these guys here.
Perhaps one of the reasons why Kalaripayattu has lost its presence is because it was a brutal military art banned by the British Empire for over 100 years (boooo). There's been a mild resurgence in the last century, but it's nothing like it once was, drawing more dance-like inspiration rather than blood sport. The battles generally take place in a "Kalari" so that's where that word comes from.
Sooooo, out of curiosity, I wondered if the diaspora ever brought it to the United States. If, for some reason, this ancient martial art had some presence in America. And wouldn't you know it, instead, I found a class being taught by white people. Without disclosing too much information about these people, I thought the entire thing was quite bewildering. Why Kalaripayattu? Why you guys? Who is this for? A White Kalari?
While I did primarily find it amusing, it opened a whole can of interesting ideas I've thought about all my life. Themes of appropriation, that thin line between ignorance and malicious intent, and Western assimilation. Turning this ancient cultural art into yoga+ (which was already taken from- nvm)
(this isn't them, but you get the idea...)
Here lies the conflict of my film "Kalari" (tentative title): for her father's birthday, Thanvi (a Malayali girl) attends a Kalaripayattu class in Chicago, only to find the class is taught by white people. The film revolves around both a memory and the present day, cutting back and forth between a battle in the past and the class she's attending today. It's not only thematically personal to me; I can only rarely say this, but as a Malayali based in Chicago, I feel like this is a film I can only make. It's a story that is primed to be told. I have seen it with my own eyes now how this martial art is fighting to make a resurgence on the international stage, and even if it's only a little bit, I would love to spread some awareness of the martial art through this project as well!
Without giving away too much of the rest of the story, the film also takes historical note of various important Kalaripayattu developments all over Kerala. From Kanaran Gurukkal, the resurgence in Vatakara and the North to the evolution of Thekkan style in the South. All the way to it somehow ending up in a random gym studio space in Chicago.
But also it's a chance for me to have a dialogue with another thing I admire: action cinema. Primarily, that of certain Shaolin action films; a huge influence on the visual language of this project. Other Inspirations include classic Malayalam films and more contemporary comedies with social themes.
At the time of publishing this crowdfunding campaign, a segment of the film has actually already been shot. The aforementioned memory section has been filmed in Kerala, India! How neat is that? That means the focus of this crowdfunding is to enable a smooth remainder of production in Chicago, IL, USA at the end of August. The shoot in India was amazing, with fantastic production quality and execution; it is primarily why I really want the American shoot to match and maybe even surpass it...
A little teaser of what we shot in Kerala :)
In this campaign, you can find a breakdown of our required funds and budget in the wishlist section; it's all to get this film to the finish line. While most of the wishlist items are pretty self-explanatory, certain items like the lenses are going to be used to create a uniquely different look compared to the Kerala shoot. You can also take a look at the line of incentives on this project page! You may feel enticed by some of them! At a certain tier, you can even get early access to the film (a digital screener or even IRL) once we get to the finalized post-production stages. Speaking of that though, here's a rough production timeline:
This project has a lot of heart, and talented, hard-working people behind it! It almost certainly is something special. Whether you pitch in or just share the page around, I would be endlessly grateful for your support in making this happen!
Thank you!
- Akkhiel Nambbiar
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lenses
Costs $1,200
To capture a uniquely different look from the memory section of production
Production Design
Costs $1,450
Helps cover props, wardrobe, makeup, and some additional PD costs
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director:
Akkhiel Nambbiar
Producers:
Misha Puri
Soha Rattani
Anindita Jeetri
Director of Photography:
Chaz Zombolas
Composer:
Phil Coady
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
First, let me give you guys a little history lesson. So, there's this ancient South Indian Martial Art called Kalaripayattu. It's a non-standardized multi-combat style art originating from modern-day Kerala. It's commonly in contention for one of the oldest martial arts still being practiced today. It's really, really cool, and it's a shame that not many people outside of the culture are aware of it. Just look at these guys here.
Perhaps one of the reasons why Kalaripayattu has lost its presence is because it was a brutal military art banned by the British Empire for over 100 years (boooo). There's been a mild resurgence in the last century, but it's nothing like it once was, drawing more dance-like inspiration rather than blood sport. The battles generally take place in a "Kalari" so that's where that word comes from.
Sooooo, out of curiosity, I wondered if the diaspora ever brought it to the United States. If, for some reason, this ancient martial art had some presence in America. And wouldn't you know it, instead, I found a class being taught by white people. Without disclosing too much information about these people, I thought the entire thing was quite bewildering. Why Kalaripayattu? Why you guys? Who is this for? A White Kalari?
While I did primarily find it amusing, it opened a whole can of interesting ideas I've thought about all my life. Themes of appropriation, that thin line between ignorance and malicious intent, and Western assimilation. Turning this ancient cultural art into yoga+ (which was already taken from- nvm)
(this isn't them, but you get the idea...)
Here lies the conflict of my film "Kalari" (tentative title): for her father's birthday, Thanvi (a Malayali girl) attends a Kalaripayattu class in Chicago, only to find the class is taught by white people. The film revolves around both a memory and the present day, cutting back and forth between a battle in the past and the class she's attending today. It's not only thematically personal to me; I can only rarely say this, but as a Malayali based in Chicago, I feel like this is a film I can only make. It's a story that is primed to be told. I have seen it with my own eyes now how this martial art is fighting to make a resurgence on the international stage, and even if it's only a little bit, I would love to spread some awareness of the martial art through this project as well!
Without giving away too much of the rest of the story, the film also takes historical note of various important Kalaripayattu developments all over Kerala. From Kanaran Gurukkal, the resurgence in Vatakara and the North to the evolution of Thekkan style in the South. All the way to it somehow ending up in a random gym studio space in Chicago.
But also it's a chance for me to have a dialogue with another thing I admire: action cinema. Primarily, that of certain Shaolin action films; a huge influence on the visual language of this project. Other Inspirations include classic Malayalam films and more contemporary comedies with social themes.
At the time of publishing this crowdfunding campaign, a segment of the film has actually already been shot. The aforementioned memory section has been filmed in Kerala, India! How neat is that? That means the focus of this crowdfunding is to enable a smooth remainder of production in Chicago, IL, USA at the end of August. The shoot in India was amazing, with fantastic production quality and execution; it is primarily why I really want the American shoot to match and maybe even surpass it...
A little teaser of what we shot in Kerala :)
In this campaign, you can find a breakdown of our required funds and budget in the wishlist section; it's all to get this film to the finish line. While most of the wishlist items are pretty self-explanatory, certain items like the lenses are going to be used to create a uniquely different look compared to the Kerala shoot. You can also take a look at the line of incentives on this project page! You may feel enticed by some of them! At a certain tier, you can even get early access to the film (a digital screener or even IRL) once we get to the finalized post-production stages. Speaking of that though, here's a rough production timeline:
This project has a lot of heart, and talented, hard-working people behind it! It almost certainly is something special. Whether you pitch in or just share the page around, I would be endlessly grateful for your support in making this happen!
Thank you!
- Akkhiel Nambbiar
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Lenses
Costs $1,200
To capture a uniquely different look from the memory section of production
Production Design
Costs $1,450
Helps cover props, wardrobe, makeup, and some additional PD costs
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director:
Akkhiel Nambbiar
Producers:
Misha Puri
Soha Rattani
Anindita Jeetri
Director of Photography:
Chaz Zombolas
Composer:
Phil Coady