Forsaking the self imposed 6 year long hibernation, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the master craftsman is back with his latest offering 'Nizhalkuthu' (Shadow Kill) The maestro is still vibrantly alive both in flesh and spirit to seek out new horizons on celluloid. This has been the longest interval between two of his films. He needs time to wean himself away from the earlier creations.

The shooting commenced on December 12 at Nagarkovil. Oduvil Unnikrishnan plays the role of the protagonist Kaliyappan,an executioner who puts condemned persons to death in conformity to legal warrant, as a hangman. Sukumari essays the role of his wife. Mankada Ravi Verma, the seasoned cinematographer cranks the camera while Sunny Joseph, an unmatched visualiser who has done some excellent works like 'Piravi' assist him in capturing Adoor's thought provoking ideas on celluloid.
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Adoor seeks to probe the darkest interiors of the human mind through the tale of Kaliyappan, who is suffering from a sense of guilt. 'Nizhalkuthu' (Shadow Kill) revolves around the less explored area of the conflict between man and the society. The focus is on individual's interaction between family, society and the legal system. This film will be a powerful statement on crime, punishment and sense of guilt that pose serious questions about the human existence. Kaliyappan, the hangman belongs to a Tamil family settled in Nagarkovil. Plagued by guilty conscience, Kaliyappan is not willing to continue this proffession since it disturbs his mind. But he is forced to do it in order to make both ends meet. The ace director explores the touble-torn psyche of an executioner providing insight into the existential crisis of human beings. The latest offering by Adoor will bring the viewer into fathomless and unexpected depths of self-perception.