Sai Pallavi’s first look as Nithya Reddy IPS in OM: Chapter 1 – Udhiram: The Blood Wood was unveiled on 26 October 2026. The special character video, titled OM Special Duty, introduces her as a CBI officer investigating an international red sandalwood smuggling network.
Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the upcoming Tamil action thriller stars Dhanush, Mammootty, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela. The film is scheduled to release worldwide on 20 November 2026.
The character reveal also marks Sai Pallavi’s first police officer role on screen. Here is everything confirmed about Nithya Reddy, her backstory, the film’s cast and its theatrical release.
OM Chapter 1: Movie Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie | OM: Chapter 1 – Udhiram: The Blood Wood |
| Character Glimpse | 26 October 2026 |
| Theatrical Release | 20 November 2026 |
| Director and Writer | Rajkumar Periasamy |
| Lead Actor | Dhanush |
| Lead Actress | Sai Pallavi |
| Sai Pallavi’s Character | Nithya Reddy IPS |
| Other Cast | Mammootty, Sreeleela, Naseeruddin Shah |
| Music Director | Sai Abhyankkar |
| Production | Wunderbar Films, RTake Studios |
The makers released the character glimpse in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, introducing Nithya Reddy to audiences across different regions.
OM Special Duty Teaser: Sai Pallavi’s Police Officer Look
The OM Special Duty teaser runs for approximately one minute and 43 seconds.
It introduces Nithya Reddy as an intelligent officer with considerable experience despite her young age.
Unlike a conventional introduction built around action alone, the video explains her professional background and the mission she must investigate.
Meanwhile, the footage includes scenes connecting her to the film’s larger criminal network.
The makers describe Nithya as a determined officer committed to justice. However, the video does not reveal the outcome of her investigation or the complete storyline.
Who Is Nithya Reddy IPS in OM?
Nithya Reddy is an IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh, with roots in Naidupet in the Nellore region.
According to the character glimpse, she previously worked as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in the Andhra Pradesh Police.
Later, she joined the Central Bureau of Investigation as an Additional Superintendent of Police.
Her new assignment involves cooperation with Interpol in an investigation named Operation OM.
Therefore, her role extends beyond ordinary local policing. She must investigate an organised smuggling network with possible international connections.
However, her exact relationship with Dhanush’s character remains unclear.
Nithya Reddy’s Father and Personal Backstory
The teaser also reveals why the investigation matters personally to Nithya.
Her father was an Indian Forest Service officer who died while protecting the forests.
As a result, Nithya’s mission connects her professional responsibilities with her family’s past.
Her assignment involves the illegal trade in red sanders, a valuable tree species found in parts of southern India.
This background gives the character a personal reason to pursue the investigation. However, the teaser does not confirm that the film follows a straightforward revenge story.
OM Chapter 1 Story: The Red Sanders Smuggling Network
The upcoming film revolves around the illegal trade in red sanders, also called red sandalwood.
The species grows naturally in parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly around the Eastern Ghats.
Its commercial value has made illegal harvesting and smuggling a recurring concern.
In OM, Nithya investigates a criminal network involved in this trade.
Meanwhile, Mammootty plays Burma Karthikeyan, a smuggler also known as Siya.
His September 2026 character reveal presented him as an influential figure who commands loyalty among people around him.
However, the filmmakers have not disclosed exactly how Karthikeyan, Nithya and Dhanush’s character become connected.
OM Chapter 1 Cast and Characters
The film brings together actors from several Indian film industries.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Sai Pallavi | Nithya Reddy IPS |
| Mammootty | Burma Karthikeyan, also known as Siya |
| Dhanush | Character name not officially confirmed |
| Sreeleela | Not officially revealed |
| Naseeruddin Shah | Not officially revealed |
| Indrans | Not officially revealed |
Mammootty’s character received a separate introduction in September 2026.
Meanwhile, the makers have kept important details about Dhanush’s role under wraps.
Therefore, assigning unconfirmed character names or relationships to the remaining cast would be premature.
Sai Pallavi and Rajkumar Periasamy Reunite After Amaran
OM marks another collaboration between Sai Pallavi and Rajkumar Periasamy after Amaran (2024).
In Amaran, she played Indhu Rebecca Varghese opposite Sivakarthikeyan. However, her new character is very different.
Instead of portraying the wife of a military officer, Sai Pallavi now plays an IPS officer directly involved in a dangerous investigation.
Following the October 26 reveal, the actress thanked Periasamy for choosing her again. She also said she could see her alter ego in Nithya Reddy.
The director praised her performance through his social media announcement.
Dhanush and Sai Pallavi Together Again
OM also reunites Dhanush and Sai Pallavi after their 2018 Tamil film Maari 2.
That project featured the popular song Rowdy Baby, which brought the pair considerable attention.
However, OM places them in a very different setting.
The upcoming film focuses on crime, forest protection and an organised smuggling operation rather than the romantic-comedy elements of their earlier collaboration.
The exact nature of their characters’ relationship remains unconfirmed.
OM Movie Release Date: Why Was It Postponed?
OM: Chapter 1 – Udhiram: The Blood Wood will release on 20 November 2026, according to the latest official announcement.
The film was previously scheduled for 16 October 2026.
However, the makers postponed that date. Reports linked the decision to avoiding a direct clash with Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 and moving away from the crowded festive release period.
The new November date gives OM a separate theatrical window.
Meanwhile, Sai Pallavi has another major film arriving earlier in the same month.
Sai Pallavi’s Ramayana and OM Release Dates
Sai Pallavi plays Sita in Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana.
According to the makers’ latest announcement, Ramayana will release worldwide on 5 November 2026.
Therefore, Sai Pallavi has two major films scheduled just 15 days apart.
However, the projects feature different characters and genres.
Ramayana presents her in a mythological role, while OM introduces her as a police officer investigating organised crime.
OM Movie Music and Technical Team
Sai Abhyankkar composed the music for OM, including the score accompanying the Special Duty glimpse.
Meanwhile, Ezhil Arasu K handles cinematography, and R. Kalaivanan is the editor.
The action team includes Yannick Ben and Kecha Khamphakdee.
Dhanush, Shraddha Agrawal and Azmat Jagmag are credited as producers, with Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios backing the production.
Read Beyond the Headlines
The OM Special Duty glimpse offers more than a new look for Sai Pallavi.
It introduces a police officer whose investigation connects environmental crime with a personal family loss.
Meanwhile, Mammootty’s Burma Karthikeyan character suggests the film will explore more than one side of the smuggling network.
However, viewers have only seen selected promotional footage. The full film will determine whether the story delivers the investigative thriller promised by its character reveals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sai Pallavi playing in OM Chapter 1?
Sai Pallavi plays Nithya Reddy IPS, a CBI Additional Superintendent investigating red sanders smuggling.
When was the OM Special Duty teaser released?
The character glimpse was released on 26 October 2026 in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
Is this Sai Pallavi’s first police officer role?
Yes. Contemporary reports identify Nithya Reddy as her first on-screen police officer role.
Who is directing OM Chapter 1?
Rajkumar Periasamy, the director of Amaran, is writing and directing OM.
When will OM Chapter 1 release in theatres?
The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 20 November 2026.
Who plays Burma Karthikeyan in OM?
Mammootty plays Burma Karthikeyan, also known as Siya.