Mumbai, Feb 26: When filmmaker duo Pushkar and Gayatri first conceived Suzhal: The Vortex, they had no idea that a chance encounter with a religious festival would ignite the spark for what became a gripping Tamil crime thriller. After the resounding success of its first season, the duo is back with Suzhal: The Vortex Season 2, set to premiere on February 28 on Prime Video.
The new season will continue the intertwining narrative of faith and crime, bringing back key characters Nandini (Aishwarya Rajesh) and sub-inspector Sakkarai (Kathir). Picking up from the season one climax, Nandini faces an uncertain fate in prison while Sakkarai finds himself in a village cloaked in mystery and a sinister past. A shocking murder further disrupts the community, deepening the intrigue.
Speaking about the show’s unique blend of mythology and thriller elements, Gayatri explained, “Crime thrillers are a popular long-form genre, and we wanted ours to stand out. That’s how the festival angle emerged, with myths and reality running parallel.”
Pushkar emphasized the evolution of crime thrillers, referencing iconic international series like The Wire, Broadchurch, and The Killing. “The way crime stories are told has changed over the years. If you write a crime thriller the way it was done in the 80s or 90s, it won’t resonate today. As filmmakers, our job is to stay updated and watch a lot of content,” he said.
The origins of Suzhal trace back to 2015, but the story truly took shape after Pushkar and Gayatri stumbled upon the Mayana Kollai festival in 2017. “We had never heard of it despite being brought up there. Our driver narrated its mythology, and something just clicked,” recalled Gayatri.
Faith remains central to the series, not just in a religious sense but as a broader theme. “It’s about believing in something—whether it’s a deity, yourself, your teacher, or even an idolized actor,” she added.
Season 2 introduces another festival, Ashtakaali, as its backdrop, continuing the show’s signature interplay between belief and crime. “The first episode has a conversation between Sakkarai and Chellapa (Nandini’s lawyer and activist) that delves into faith’s role in society and community,” Pushkar revealed.
While they gear up for the show’s launch, Pushkar and Gayatri are also developing a feature film that deviates from their signature crime-thriller and dark-comedy styles. Meanwhile, discussions for Suzhal: The Vortex Season 3 are already underway.
Produced under the banner of Wallwatcher Films, Suzhal: The Vortex Season 2 is directed by Bramma and Sarjun KM, promising another intense exploration of faith, tradition, and crime.
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