Kappi Squad director Belraj Kalarickal found dead; producer, cast pay tribute

Malayalam filmmaker Belraj Kalarickal, who made his directorial debut with the web series Kappi Squad, was found dead in a hotel room in Kochi on October 17. His death comes just days after the series began streaming on JioHotstar.According to a report in Cinema Express, Belraj was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Kakkanad. Preliminary reports suggested a heart attack, although the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed.Belraj was also one of the founding members of First Print Studios. Following his death, filmmaker and actor Rahul Riji Nair paid tribute to his colleague, remembering him as a dear friend and a key creative force behind the production house. Nair said Belraj's dedication and passion had shaped both the team's work and its identity, adding that the studio would remain incomplete without him. A screenshot of Kappi Squad producer Rahul Riji Nair's Instagram post JioHotstar Malayalam also mourned the filmmaker's death through a social media post. “Some goodbyes come far too soon. Rest in peace, Belraj Kalarickal (sic),” the platform wrote. The lead cast of Kappi Squad also mourned their director's death, sharing heartfelt condolence messages on social media. A screenshot of JioHotstar Malayalam's Instagram post Before stepping into direction, Belraj worked as an assistant director and associate director on Malayalam films, including Nizhal, Madhuram and Dakini. Kappi Squad, created by Srikanth Mohan and produced by Rahul Riji Nair under First Print Studios, marked his first independent directorial venture.The series follows four young friends as they attempt to build a coffee shop while navigating relationships, careers and entrepreneurial ambitions. Belraj had married Athira Bindu Sabu in September 2026 after a six-year relationship. His sudden death has left family members, friends and colleagues in the Malayalam film industry mourning the loss of a filmmaker whose career was only beginning to take shape.- Ends