Anantharaman Ajay Directs Debut Horror Short Granny Crossing 4M Views

Bengaluru-based content creator Anantharaman Ajay has made his directorial debut with the psychological horror short film 'Granny', which has amassed over four million views on YouTube. Ajay, who launched his career as a creator in Bengaluru, transitioned into directing after previously writing scripts and acting in the Malayalam hit film 'Romancham'.

Ajay initially built a following on YouTube through his channel 'Appoppan and the Boys', where his satirical roasts of old and less popular Malayalam films established a distinct genre of entertainment. He subsequently launched a second channel named Nissaram, shifting his focus toward creating astronomy content that explored the mysteries of the universe. Behind the camera, Ajay continued writing short stories and scripts, nurturing a long-standing ambition to direct films.

The decision to direct came when an established actor suggested that Ajay adapt one of his own written stories into a film. Ajay noted that having produced nearly one hundred YouTube videos provided him with a strong practical understanding of editing, sound design, and visual storytelling, making the transition to film direction a natural progression.

As a lifelong enthusiast of horror literature, Ajay sought to make a film that avoided outlandish or exaggerated scares, which he felt caused audiences to disconnect from the story. Instead, he designed 'Granny' to rely on subtle psychological tension, believing that quieter narrative approaches remain underexplored in regional cinema.

A central element of the production was working with 85-year-old actor KPAC Leela, a veteran performer in Malayalam cinema since the 1960s. Ajay stated that Leela grasped the film's ambiguous narrative after a single reading, arrived punctually, and rehearsed extensively during the shoot under his direction.

Ajay also credited his acting experience in 'Romancham'—a horror film shot in Bengaluru by 'Aavesham' director Jithu Madhavan—with providing key insights into managing a calm and collaborative set. For 'Granny', Ajay stated that his primary goal was to evoke a lingering sense of anxiety, dread, and tension that remains with viewers after watching the film.