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Drama thriller

Virus (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Virus (2019) movie poster

Virus is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Aashiq Abu, starring Senthil Krishna Rajamani as Labour & Excise Minister of Kerala, Zakariya Mohammed and Kottayam Ramesh. It runs 2 hours 32 minutes and earned $626,930 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 77/100.

worldwide gross
$626.9K
Echo Score
77
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Virus (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 32m (152 min)
Director
Aashiq Abu
Genres
Thriller , Drama
Original language
Malayalam
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Virus About?

The premise of Virus without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This film recounts the terrifying outbreak of the Nipah virus in Kerala. It depicts the real-life struggle and bravery of those who worked to contain the epidemic, highlighting the fear, fight, and survival against a deadly disease. The story focuses on the individuals who risked their lives to combat the virus and prevent further devastation.

Virus Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • nipah virus
  • contagious
  • deadly virus
  • kerala
  • nipah
  • airborne virus
  • virus attack
  • nurse
  • doctor
  • health
  • world health organization
  • virus
+5 more
  • epidemic
  • infection
  • outbreak
  • contagion
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Virus Cast & Characters

Senthil Krishna Rajamani leads the cast as Labour & Excise Minister of Kerala, with Zakariya Mohammed as Zakariya and Kottayam Ramesh as Medical College Superintendent. Directed by Aashiq Abu; 47 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Virus

· 43 more
Show all 47 cast members
Ratings

Virus Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).

77 /100

Virus Echo Score Breakdown

Virus garners praise for its ambitious reconstruction of a real‑world health crisis, delivering a blend of documentary rigor and dramatic tension. Critics and many viewers commend its direction, cinematography, and evocative soundtrack, while some note narrative congestion and uneven character focus. The film’s strong production values and resonant themes outweigh structural flaws, resulting in a largely positive reception that rewards attentive audiences.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 84

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels through Aashiq Abu's measured direction and Rajeev Ravi's atmospheric cinematography, which together establish a credible documentary tone. Production design and editing sustain a steady rhythm during the early act, though later sections feel rushed. Overall, the visual and technical execution is solid, reinforcing the film's realistic ambition.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    Character and emotion receive mixed feedback; the ensemble cast delivers nuanced performances, with several actors highlighted for their authenticity. However, the crowded roster dilutes individual depth, making it harder for viewers to connect with specific protagonists. While the chemistry among the core group is credible, the sheer number of roles hampers sustained emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The story presents a compelling, non‑linear recounting of the Nipah outbreak, maintaining suspense and thematic relevance. Early pacing is engaging, yet later segments introduce numerous sub‑plots that strain coherence. Originality is evident in the doc‑fiction approach, but occasional narrative convolution reduces overall clarity and diminishes the impact of the climax.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory experience stands out with Sushin Shyam's haunting score, which consistently underscores tension and mood. Rajeev Ravi's cinematography offers an immersive visual palette, while sound design accentuates the clinical environment. The combination of music and visuals creates a cohesive aesthetic that enhances the film's realism.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value is moderate to high; the film's realistic portrayal and layered narrative invite repeat viewings to appreciate subtleties. While some audiences may find the density of characters off‑putting, the suspenseful moments and strong technical components encourage revisiting. The lasting impression is one of respect for the subject matter rather than pure entertainment.

Plot

Virus Plot Summary

What happens in Virus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Zakariya Mohammed is infected and brought to the Government Medical College in Kozhikode, where he exhibits the sudden, severe symptoms of an unknown virus and dies within hours. Zakariya Mohammed was not alone for long—Geetha, Divya Gopinath, who was handling Zakariya’s CT scan, also contracts the illness as her blood pressure begins to swing unpredictably. The outbreak starts to ripple outward, and a nurse, Rima Kallingal who treated Zakariya, falls ill as well, underscoring how quickly the infection moves through a hospital system.

Full summary

The whole story of Virus, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Virus Box Office

Virus grossed $626,930 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$626.9K

International
$626.9K
Videos

Virus Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Virus.

Virus Official Trailer | Aashiq Abu | OPM Records
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Virus?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What specific virus caused the outbreak depicted in the film?

Details

Virus Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Vírus” and “Nipah Virus”.

Also known as
  • Vírus
  • Nipah Virus
  • ไวรัส
  • 바이러스
  • 尼帕病毒
  • Virus - Unsichtbarer Tod

Seen Virus?

FAQ

Virus FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Virus, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Virus?

Virus runs 2 hours 32 minutes (152 minutes).

When was Virus released?

Virus was released on June 7, 2019.

Who directed Virus?

Virus was directed by Aashiq Abu.

More films by Aashiq Abu

Who is in the cast of Virus?

Virus stars Senthil Krishna Rajamani as Labour & Excise Minister of Kerala, Zakariya Mohammed as Zakariya and Kottayam Ramesh as Medical College Superintendent, among 47 credited actors.

How much did Virus make at the box office?

Virus grossed $626,930 worldwide.

Does Virus have a post-credit scene?

No. Virus has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Virus in?

The original language of Virus is Malayalam.

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