Malayalam filmmaker Belraj Kalarickal has died in Kochi at the age of 27, just days after making his independent directorial debut with the web series Kappi Squad. He died on Saturday, October 17, 2026, shortly after the series began streaming on JioHotstar on October 15.
His sudden death has left colleagues and members of the Malayalam entertainment industry mourning the loss of a young filmmaker whose directorial journey had only just begun.
Filmmaker and producer Rahul Riji Nair paid tribute to Belraj, remembering him as a close friend, a creative talent and one of the founding members of First Print Studios.
Belraj Kalarickal Found Dead in Kochi
According to media reports, Belraj was found dead in a hotel room in Kochi on October 17. Preliminary reports suggested a possible heart attack, although the exact circumstances surrounding his death had not been fully established in the initial coverage.
Belraj hailed from Manimala in Kerala’s Kottayam district. Before stepping into independent direction, he spent several years working behind the scenes on Malayalam film projects, gaining experience as an assistant and associate director.
His death came at a significant moment in his professional life, with his first independently directed series having recently reached audiences.
‘Kappi Squad’ Marked His First Independent Directorial Project
Belraj made his directorial debut with Kappi Squad, a Malayalam comedy-drama web series that premiered on JioHotstar on October 15, just two days before news of his death emerged.
Produced by Rahul Riji Nair under the banner of First Print Studios, the series was created by Srikanth Mohan. Its story centres on four young people and their entrepreneurial ambitions.
The cast features Rinosh George, Anagha Ajith, Diya Deepan and Joel Joseph. Reports indicate that filming had been completed before the series was released.
The project marked an important career milestone for Belraj after years of working in assistant and associate director roles. His debut offered him an opportunity to take on a larger creative responsibility in the Malayalam entertainment industry.
Rahul Riji Nair and JioHotstar Pay Tribute
Following Belraj’s death, producer Rahul Riji Nair shared an emotional tribute, remembering the filmmaker as a dear brother and an important part of First Print Studios.
Nair highlighted Belraj’s contributions to the production house and his commitment to filmmaking. He also expressed his condolences to the late director’s family and friends, acknowledging the deep sense of loss following his sudden passing.
JioHotstar Malayalam also paid tribute to Belraj, recognising his role in bringing Kappi Squad to the screen. The platform expressed sadness over the loss of a filmmaker who had more stories to share with audiences.
Tributes from his professional associates reflected the impact he had made on the people he worked with during his career.
Belraj Kalarickal’s Work in Malayalam Cinema
Before directing Kappi Squad, Belraj worked as an assistant or associate director on Malayalam films including Nizhal, Madhuram and Dakini. His professional journey also included projects associated with Rahul Riji Nair, such as Keedam and Kho Kho.
Alongside his developing career in cinema, Belraj had recently entered a new chapter in his personal life. According to reports, he married in September 2026 after being in a relationship for approximately six years.
His death has come at a time when his personal and professional lives were moving forward, with his directorial debut having premiered only days earlier.
Belraj Kalarickal’s passing marks the loss of a young filmmaker whose first independent directorial project had just begun reaching viewers. Further confirmed details about the circumstances of his death were awaited in the initial reports.