Despite good content, a handful of movies didn't do well in theatres, but drew applause after getting premiered on OTT platforms.
Content-driven Malayalam films of the first half of 2023. (Supplied)
With only two superhits in the first half of 2023, the Malayalam industry is going through a difficult phase.
Some films, despite having remarkable content, didn’t do well at the box office. But then, they were appreciated after the OTT premiere. Check out the list of those flicks here:
Iratta (Twin) is a police procedural film with an intense plot. In the movie, Joju George delivered an amazing performance as twin brothers, both police officers.
It had the potential to become a super hit movie but didn’t do well at the box office. However, the Malayalam movie received wide appreciation after it premiered on Netflix.
Joju George did a dual role in ‘Iratta’. (Supplied)
Joju George appeared in a dual role as a deputy superintendent of police (DySP) Pramod and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Vinod in Iratta.
Pramod and Vinod share a strange relationship even though they are twins. A disturbed childhood turns the twin brothers into enemies.
Meanwhile, an incident reported at the police station where Vinod works and a subsequent investigation reveals some glaring truths about the ASI. These findings make the story engaging.
Interestingly, the incident that gives a twist to the plot is taken from a real-life happening reported in Kerala.
Tamil actor Anjali played the role of Vinod’s live-in partner.
It’s quite challenging for an actor to do multiple roles without making any physical changes. Nevertheless, Joju George succeeded in portraying these estranged twin brothers as two different personalities and drew huge applause.
‘Thuramukham’ is based on a real story. (Supplied)
Thuramukham directed by Rajeev Ravi is based on the 1953 Mattancherry shooting incident. It showcases the “Chappa” labour allocation system that was prevalent in the seaport in Kochi.
It was a part of the feudal practice under which copper coins were thrown at workers. Those who get hold of the coin get work. This practice resulted in a lot of protests that ended up in violence.
The Malayalam film is an adaptation of the drama penned by KM Chidambaram of the same name.
Nivin Pauly appears as Mattancherry Moidu, a local goon. Moidu became an important role in the career of the young actor.
Thuramukham is a sincere effort by Rajeev Ravi and his team to showcase real-life incidents of class division and oppression that are forgotten by the new generation. It has amazing performances by Poornima Indrajith, Nivin Pauly, and Arjun Ashokan.
‘B32 Muthal 44 Vare’ is a phenomenal movie. (Supplied)
Director Shruti Sharanyam’s B 32 Muthal 44 Vare (Bust 32” to 44”) showcases the issues faced by six women living in Kochi.
Ramya Nambeesan, Zarin Shihab, Ashwathy B, Anarkali Marikar, Krishna Kurup, and Raina Radhakrishnan played the lead characters.
The movie didn’t get enough theatres, but it has a strong subject and is vocal about issues faced by women in different streams of life.
In B 32 Muthal 44 Vare, director Shruti Sharanyam introduces these women with their bust size, a daring attempt to show the realities faced by women in various streams of their lives.
Each woman in the movie has issues related to their breasts. One is queer and the other undergoes a mastectomy. Another lady is worried about her small bust size and believes that good looks are important for her career in the hospitality industry.
The flick also showcases the plight of a minor girl who delivers a baby. Her inability to feed the baby makes for some touching moments.
It is vocal about several issues like gender discrimination, aversion towards women, and problems faced by the queer community that are deeply rooted in our cultures and society.
‘Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham’ has an interesting plot. (Supplied)
Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham (This World is Complicated) is a movie that speaks about the pandemic-induced lockdowns, penalties levied for not using masks, containment zones and Covid protocols.
It is an emotional story set in Chamundi Valappu, a coastal town near Beypore in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. The movie which was released during the Ramzan season didn’t do well in theatres as its content dealt with serious topics.
After Covid, films that have serious themes are getting less audience as per theatre owners.
Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham focuses on the hardships faced by common people and NRIs during the Covid-19 pandemic. Scriptwriter Harshad presents the story from the point of view of the common people.
This Malayalam film is a well-written and well-crafted one on pandemic hardships. All the actors, especially Basil Joseph did their roles in a very good manner.
‘O.Baby’ has an intense plot about the underprivileged. (Supplied)
O Baby showcases the lives of people dependent on a plantation in Idukki. The warmth and brotherhood in their lives are shown in the movie.
The relationship between Basil (Devadath) and his father Baby (Dileesh Pothan) is a major highlight of the movie. The title of O Baby gives the impression that it’s a love story. But the film has two aspects associated with the title. It is a love story, and also the name of a pivotal character in the movie.
O Baby is an intense dark thriller that discusses pertinent issues revolving around the backward class and the privileged ones. This Malayalam film demands a theatrical watch, and its OTT premiere is yet to be decided.
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