The Malayalam film Eko continues to captivate audiences long after its theatrical release. Written by Bahul Ramesh and directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, the movie earned strong praise for its atmospheric storytelling and mysterious plot. It later found even more love on OTT platforms, solidifying its status as a genuine hit.
The Hidden Error Comes to Light
Despite its widespread success, a small but fascinating error remained hidden in the film. Art director Sajeesh Thamarassery recently opened up about this mistake during an interview on Club FM's The Crew Club with RJ Sandeep.
The Scene with the Mistake
Sajeesh explained the error appears in a crucial scene. Sandeep Pradeep's character, Pius, writes a story on a piece of paper placed on a mat. He then lifts the mat, places the paper inside a book, folds it, and goes to sleep. The mistake lies in that very moment.
A sharp-eyed YouTube creator spotted the issue. Sajeesh recalled, "I had mentioned that YouTube channel before. These days, if we miss even small things, it can become a big topic. That creator asked viewers to pause and zoom in when Pius lifts the mat and puts the paper in the book. He pointed out it was actually a magazine print from February 2025. He said we should have been more careful."
Why Do Such Mistakes Happen?
Sajeesh agreed the observation was valid. However, he provided context about the immense pressure of film production. "What he said is correct," Sajeesh admitted. "But catching such tiny details requires more time than we usually have on set."
He illustrated the point with his own workload. "Even for a set like Mlaathi Chettathi's house, I begin my work as art director nineteen days before shooting starts." This statement highlights the tremendous effort that goes into filmmaking, often against tight deadlines where minor oversights can occur.
Behind the Scenes: Creative Choices in Eko
Sajeesh also shared several fascinating production secrets from Eko:
- The dogs shown as dead after being shot were not real animals.
- The house that appears to be made of granite was actually constructed using fibre material.
- The large tree Pius climbs was created by carefully joining branches from different trees.
- To accurately portray the correct time period, the team used authentic props like old powder tins, kashayam bottles, and period-appropriate calendars.
- They added meticulous details like melted wax on top of a Tiger Balm container to enhance realism.
The Creative Spark Behind Eko
In a separate conversation, director Dinjith Ayyathan and writer Bahul Ramesh discussed the film's origins. Bahul revealed the idea struck him unexpectedly. "There's a dialogue in the film — 'Sometimes protection and restriction, they both look the same.' It hit me out of the blue, and I couldn't shake off the layers of meaning it carried," he said.
He continued, "I imagined guarding dogs and wondered — what if this 'protection' was actually something more sinister? What if something that appears as A is actually B? That was the spark. I had no characters, no plot, no backdrop — just that line. I write intuitively, starting with one scene and letting the next unfold naturally from it."
Director Dinjith Ayyathan added his perspective on using animals in storytelling. "There isn't a specific formula behind this — I choose animals only when the story truly demands it. Even in my previous film Krishnam, the monkey belonged to the narrative naturally. Similarly, in Eko, the presence of an animal species is essential to the plot and the emotional journey of the story."
The revelation of the 2025 magazine error adds a new layer to the appreciation of Eko. It shows that even highly successful films with dedicated crews can have hidden flaws, often discovered by attentive fans. The film's journey from a single philosophical line to a celebrated cinematic experience remains a testament to creative storytelling in Malayalam cinema.
