Dhanush and Mammootty in the same film was already enough to fill theatres. Add the Amaran director, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela and Naseeruddin Shah, and OM becomes one of the biggest South releases of the year.
The first chapter, Udhiram – The Blood Wood, is dark, rain-soaked and violent if the First Strike glimpse is anything to go by. It also marks the first step of what the makers are clearly planning as a franchise.
Here is everything we know a week before release.
| Movie | OM Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood |
| Release date | November 20, 2026 (theatres, worldwide) |
| Earlier date | October 16, 2026 |
| Director | Rajkumar Periasamy |
| Producers | Shraddha Agrawal, Dhanush, Azmat Jagmag |
| Banners | RTake Studios, Wunderbar Films |
| Music | Sai Abhyankkar |
| Languages | Pan-India release (Tamil, with Hindi and other versions) |
| OTT partner | Netflix (date not announced) |
OM Chapter 1 cast
Dhanush leads and also produces through Wunderbar Films. The First Strike glimpse shows a rain-soaked, violent world, which tells you the tone.
Mammootty plays Burma Karthikeyan, introduced with his own character reveal in September. Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela and Naseeruddin Shah complete the main cast.
Mammootty as Burma Karthikeyan
After Bramayugam, Mammootty has shown he is happy to go dark and strange. Burma Karthikeyan, from the look of the reveal, is no side role, and a Dhanush-Mammootty face-off is the scene fans will be waiting for.
OM songs and music
Sai Abhyankkar has scored the film. Three singles are out: Alaakaa Loova, the mass number Veezha Veera, and Senjudare, a softer track featuring Sai Pallavi that Wunderbar described as bringing “warmth, grace and pure love”.
A Sai Pallavi glimpse titled OM Special Duty was released in late October.
What is OM Chapter 1 about?
The makers have not released a full synopsis. The First Strike glimpse shows a temple town under a mountain, crowds in the rain, and plenty of blood, which fits the subtitle The Blood Wood.
The “Chapter 1” title makes it clear this is the start of a larger story, so expect an open ending.
OM Chapter 1 OTT release
Netflix has bought the digital rights. Big South films usually stream about four weeks after release, which would put OM around mid to late December, but no date has been announced.
Behind the camera: Ezhil Arasu K. (cinematography), R. Kalaivanan (editing), A. Pannerselvam (art) and action by Yannick Ben and Kecha Khamphakdee.
FAQ
When is OM Chapter 1 releasing?
November 20, 2026, in theatres worldwide.
Who directed OM Chapter 1?
Rajkumar Periasamy, director of Amaran.
Who does Mammootty play in OM?
Burma Karthikeyan.
Who composed the music for OM?
Sai Abhyankkar.
Which OTT platform will stream OM?
Netflix has the streaming rights. No date has been announced.
Is OM Chapter 1 a pan-India film?
Yes, it is being released as a pan-India film.
Watch the official trailer on YouTube.
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