Malayalam cinema: Big-budget films lined up for release in 2024

From 'Malaikottai Vaaliban' to 'Bramayugam' and 'Nadikar Thilakam', Mollywood will witness the release of a slew of big films this year.

ByArjun Ramachandran

Published Jan 04, 2024 | 10:00 AMUpdatedJan 04, 2024 | 6:26 PM

Big-budget Malayalam films 2024

Expectations are running high for the Malayalam film industry as a handful of big-budget movies are gearing up for release in 2024.

Mammootty’s Turbo and Bazooka, Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Varshangalku Sesham, Chidambaram’s Manjummel Boys, Jithu Anand-Fahad Faasil’s Aavesham, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Guruvayoor Ambala Nadayil, and Jayasurya’s Kathanar are some of the big-budget projects that will hit the marquee this year.

Here’s the list of the most-anticipated Malayalam films releasing this year:

Malaikottai Vaaliban

Mohanlal’s Malaikottai Vaaliban is the most anticipated big-budget Malayalam movie of 2024. It will hit the theatres on 25 January.

Even as the veteran actor is basking in the success of his Christmas release Neru (2023), Mohanlal’s fans and movie buffs have huge expectations on this period fantasy drama.

The posters of Malaikottai Vaaliban featuring Mohanlal as a wrestler have led to discussions on social media.

The breathtaking teaser of the movie shows the Malayalam Superstar in a never-seen-before avatar that left his fans with goosebumps. Mohanlal claimed that Lijo created a grand spectacle, which the audience can see in this teaser.

Two songs from the film were also released by the makers recently. Mohanlal lent his voice to one of them — “Raakk“.

Sonalee Kulkarni, Hareesh Peradi, Danish Sait, Manoj Moses, Katha Nandi, and Manikandan Achari play significant roles in Malaikottai Vaaliban.

It will be dubbed and released simultaneously in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi.

John & Mary Creative, Max Labs, Century Films, and Saregama India Ltd are bankrolling the flick.

The script is by PS Rafeeque, who earlier worked with Lijo Jose in Nayakan (2010) and Amen (2013).

Deepu Joseph is the editor and Ronex Xavier is the designer.

Related: Mohanlal lends his voice to the ‘Raakk’ song in ‘Malaikottai Vaaliban’

Bramayugam 

Bramayugam, Mammootty’s next outing with young director Rahul Sadhasivan, has been in the news after its first-look poster was unveiled last year.

Wishing everyone a happy new year, Mammootty dropped the second-look poster of the film and astonished his fans with his never-seen-before look.

The Malayalam Superstar is expected to play the role of a person who performs sorcery.

In Adharvam (1989), Mammootty plays the role of a person who performs mystic tantric rituals. But the posters of Bramayugam piqued the interest of moviegoers.

Bramayugam is touted to be a horror thriller. The pan-Indian film will be released in five languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.

Director Rahul proved his excellence in the horror genre. His Bhoothakaalam (2022) is considered one of the finest horror films released in Malayalam in recent times.

Earlier, Rahul Sivadas said he was overjoyed to be able to direct the legendary actor Mammootty. According to him, Bramayugam is a rooted story set in the dark ages (superstitions) in Kerala.

Bramayugam is produced jointly by Night Shift Studios and Y Not Studios.

It also stars Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, and Amalda Liz in key roles.

Shehnad Jalal is the cinematographer. Shafique Mohamed Ali is the editor. Christo Xavier is the music director.

Bramayugam is expected to be released in February.

Related: Mammoootty astonishes in the new poster of ‘Bramayugam’

Aadujeevitham 

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s most-anticipated flick, Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life), is all set for release for Vishu on 10 April 2024.

Directed by Blessy, the movie will be released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.

Aadujeevitham is a survival drama based on a novel of the same name penned by Benyamin.

Prithviraj shed a lot of weight for the film. Amala Paul is the female lead.

The big-budget Malayalam movie is produced by Visual Romance. AR Rahman is composing the music.

Resul Pookutty is handling the sound design. KS Sunil is the cinematographer. Sreekar Prasad is the editor.

Related: Every breath is a battle: Official poster of ‘Aadujeevitham’ released

Barroz 

Mohanlal’s directorial debut Barroz has been making headlines for some time as the actors and technical crew are from abroad.

The 3D fantasy film will be released worldwide on 28 March.

Barroz‘s screenplay is based on the novel “Barroz: Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure” by Jijo Punnoose. As per the novel, Barroz is the guardian who protects Vasco da Gama’s hidden treasure for over four centuries.

Mohanlal plays the titular role in the big-budget flick. The other cast includes Maya, Sara Vega, Tuhin Menon, Cesar Lorente Raton, Kallirroi Tziafeta, and Guru Somasundaram.

Related: Mohanlal’s New Year gift: New poster of ‘Barroz’ released

Abraham Ozler

Abraham Ozler, Jayaram’s much-anticipated Malayalam medical thriller, created quite a buzz in the industry since reputed filmmaker Midhun Manuel Thomas is helming it.

The director earlier made the psycho-thriller Anjam Pathrita (2019), which turned out to be a successful venture.

Abraham Ozler will be released on 11 January 2024.

Randheer Krishnan wrote the script of Abraham Ozler.

While Jayaram plays the titular role, Abraham Ozler will also have Mammootty in an extended cameo role.

It will mark the comeback film for Jayaram in Malayalam.

Related: ‘Abraham Ozler’ to release on 11 January 2024

Ajayanate Randam Moshanam

Ajayante Randam Moshanam (Ajayan’s Second Theft) is a big-budget Malayalam movie shot in Kasaragod. It portrays Tovino Thomas in triple roles.

It will be interesting to watch the young actor play triple roles.

Tovino Thomas said he had an “epic’ and “larger-than-life” experience working on the flick. He spent 110 days in Kasaragod for the shoot and appreciated the residents for their support and love.

Debutant director Jithin Laal helmed this period-action 3D film. Sujith Nambiar wrote the script.

Ajayante Randam Moshanam also has Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Lakshmi, and Basil Joseph in prominent roles. It is produced jointly by UGM Productions and Magic Frames.

Nadikar Thilakam 

Nadikar Thilakam is a big-budget Malayalam movie to be released in 2024. Headlined by Tovino Thomas, it is directed by Jean Paul Lal aka Lal Jr.

Nadikar Thilakam also casts Soubin Shahir, Bhavana, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Anoop  Menon, Shine Tom Chacko and Aju Varghese in key roles.

It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the banner which made successful Telugu movies like Pushpa-The Rise. It marks the debut of the production house in Malayalam.

The film is co-produced by Alan Antony and Anoop Venugopal under the banner of Godspeed.

Related: ‘Nadikar Thilakam’ is not a biopic, says Tovino Thomas