Cinema VinesMalayalam web‑series “Anali,” directed and co‑written by Midhun Manuel Thomas, has been placed on hold by the Ernakulam Magistrate Court after a complaint was filed by Jolly Joseph, the main accused in the Koodathayi cyanide killings. The court’s order, issued on October 7, 2026, prohibits the series from being released on JioHotstar, the platform that was set to stream the show as an original.
The series, which stars Leona Lishoy in the lead role and features Nikhila Vimal in a supporting part, is billed as a fictional crime drama inspired by the real‑life Koodathayi case—a series of mysterious deaths in a Kerala family that attracted national attention. The case, which has been the subject of documentaries such as Netflix’s “Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case” (2023), has also been adapted for television and other media.
Jolly Joseph, whose name has become synonymous with the case, has alleged that the show’s portrayal of the events is defamatory. He filed the complaint with the magistrate, prompting the court to intervene and halt the series’ release until the matter is resolved. The court’s decision means that viewers will have to wait for further legal clarification before “Anali” can be streamed.
Although the series was initially slated for a digital debut on JioHotstar, the current court order leaves its release date uncertain. The outcome of the legal proceedings and any subsequent court directions will determine when, or if, the show becomes available to audiences.
