New sci-fi-meets-horror-meets-thriller 9 is set to redraw the map for Malayalam cinema, according to its star Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The genre-bending film, which tells the story of a father’s struggle to protect his son from nightmarish visions and crippling fear, has already marked some notable firsts. It is the first Malayalam film to be distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment in India, and also marks a debut outing for Sukumaran’s newly founded Prithviraj Productions.
It is also one of the biggest global Malayalam film releases to date, hitting screens in the UAE, India, Singapore and Australia simultaneously this weekend, then rolling out in the UK and US next weekend. The film is unique in more ways than that though, says its star.
"This is something really new in Malayalam cinema as a genre," Sukumaran told The National at the film's UAE premiere in Dubai. "It's something I've never really seen or heard of before. I've done more than 100 films, which is a sizeable chunk of life in cinema, so if something can startle me then I think we can say we're looking at something fairly new."
The actor added that reviews have been "overwhelmingly positive", with his mission for the film being to "create something totally new". "The best we can hope for us that people walk out entertained, engaged, and having seen something they haven’t seen before, and we hope we’ve succeeded," Sukumaran said.
It’s true that Malayalam cinema is known more for its brooding dramas than for epic sci-fi, or the glitz and glam of its all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood sibling, so where did Sukumaran look for inspiration for his latest role?
"I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this in Hindi, so I couldn't really pick anything out there," he says. "Even in western cinema I couldn't come up with a straight comparison. It's not an out-and-out sci-fi like 2001: A Space Odyssey, nor is it a horror like The Exorcist, nor is it a straight thriller. The really crucial point of the narrative is this father/son relationship you see. I guess the closest comparison I could come up with is maybe a M Night Shyamalan film, the way he kind of designs the plot narrative."
Writer and director Jenus Mohamed agrees that the film is something of a watershed moment for the Malayalam industry. “What we wanted was to make an attempt to do something totally new in Malayalam cinema," Mohamed said. "It really is the very first genre mash-up in Malayalam cinema. It’s all in there – sci-fi, horror, thriller, family relationships.”
So why has it taken so long for the industry to come up with this kind of a concept? The answer is simple, according to Sukumaran – like many things, it's down to money.
“There’s this misconception that this genre needs extremely big budgets,” he explained. “I’m not saying you can make a sci-fi with nothing, but there is a way to pull something like this off to global standards without having to spend a huge amount. That’s something Malayalam producers had thought was not possible. Way back when I first got the script and was pitching it to producers, the feedback I was getting is ‘this isn’t possible.'"
Fortunately for audiences, one crucial person could be convinced – Sukumaran himself. “I couldn’t convince them, but Jenus could convince me. So I took production on myself. It’s not a small film, but it’s well within the constraints of a Malayalam-budgeted film. I think that when you see it you won’t think there are any compromises.”
With the film in cinemas this weekend, Sukumaran hopes it can now herald in a new era in his homeland's film industry. "I hope after this if another film maker comes along with a big idea and can't get any support, he can say, "well 9 happened, so we can make this happen too.'"
9 is in cinemas now
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Switching%20sides
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The UAE's journey to space
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
