While some of them delivered blockbusters, the others made quality content-driven films that won rave reviews.
Promising directors who debuted in Malayalam cinema in 2023. (Supplied)
In 2023, the Malayalam industry witnessed many promising directors making a debut.
While some of them delivered blockbusters, the others made quality content-driven films that won rave reviews.
For instance, Vishnhu Bharathan debuted with an impressive movie titled Phoenix, while Sudhi Maddison’s Neymar was a box-office hit.
Abhilash Joshiy who directed Dulquer Salman’s King of Kotha had an impressive debut even though the movie did not do well.
Similarly, Manu C Kumar debuted with a woman-oriented film, Sesham Mike-il Fathima.
Here are some of the promising directors who made a mark for themselves in the industry:
Fazil Razak receives the Best Debutant Director Award at IFFK. (Supplied)
Fazil Razak’s Thadavu (The Sentence) was screened during the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
The film won the Audience Choice Award and its director Fazil Razak bagged the Best Debutant Director Award.
The movie showcases the emotional journey of a woman who tackles her issues. It is also vocal about the warm relationships people share in rural areas and their willingness to help their loved ones in crucial times.
The Fazil Razak’s directorial debut tugs at your heartstrings with realistic, heartwarming sequences and powerful performances. The Malayalam movie has newcomers in most of its departments.
Thadavu hasn’t been released in theatres or premiered anywhere.
Shruthi Sharanyam at the International Film Festival of Kerala. (Supplied)
B 32 Muthal 44 Vare (Bust 32″ to Bust 44″) is one of the bold films released in 2023.
The title suggests the bust size of women, which is rare in Malayalam cinema.
Directed by debutante Shruthi Sharanyam, the movie talks about gender and body politics. It also discusses the issues faced by queer community and women from the lower class.
The Malayalam film bagged the Best Director Award (Female) in the Women/Transgender category at the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards.
Ramya Nambeesan, Zarin Shihab, Ashwathy B, Anarkali Marikar, Krisha Kurup, and Raina Radhakrishnan played the characters of five women and a transman around whom the story revolves.
According to Shruthi, the script of B 32 Muthal 44 Vare has elements of her experiences as a woman and that of others. She prepared the concept in 2018, and the subject is relevant.
Upon its release in April, B 32 Muthal 44 Vare evoked a good response from theatres with minimum shows. It was also screened at the IFFK this year.
Indu Lakshmi took a relevant theme for her directorial debut Nila.
It is a female-oriented movie that showcases the abilities of a wheelchair-bound elderly woman. It deserves a huge round of applause for its bold theme.
In an interview, Indu Lakshmi told South First that she wrote Nila by taking inspiration from her life and the women in her life.
The filmmaker noted that women these days like to be independent, and her movie only represents the fire in them. “That fire and their positivity help them overcome any hardships and they inspired me to write Nila,” she added.
Iratta, helmed by debutant director Rohit MG Krishnan, is one of the best content-driven Malayalam movies released in 2023. However, it did not do well in theatres.
But after its premiere on Netflix, the movie received an overwhelming response from viewers.
In the film, Joju George plays estranged twin brothers — deputy superintendent of police Pramod and assistant sub-inspector Vinod.
In an interview with South First, Rohit Krishnan said he made the movie out of an incident in Kerala that almost went unnoticed.
However, inspired by it, he created a completely different story based on fictitious characters.
RDX, an Onam release, was a sleeper hit. The movie beat Dulquer Salmaan’s King of Kotha and Nivin Pauly’s Ramachandra Boss & Co. The Nahas Hidhayat’s directorial entered the ₹100-crore club.
RDX has beautifully choreographed fight scenes that form its soul.
Though it is a family story, the flick moves forward with the swag of three main actors — Antony Varghese, Neeraj Madhav and Shane Nigam.
Nahas has been in the industry for some time and worked as an associate of actor-director Basil Joseph.
In various interviews, the filmmaker shared that he used to do odd jobs in Kochi during his initial days before becoming an independent filmmaker.
Akhil Sathyan had an impressive debut with his film Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, which featured Fahadh Faasil and Anjana Jayaprakash in the lead roles.
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum became a superhit at the box office, and it is a message-oriented film that flaunts good performances by the lead actors and a strong message: the right to education for girl children.
In an interview, Anoop told South First that his director-father Sathyan Anthikad is his inspiration.
Romancham was the first Malayalam movie blockbuster hit of 2023. Though Malikappuram was released in December 2022, it gained profits at the start of 2023.
Jithu Madhavan’s debut movie was made on a small budget. Nevertheless, it earned ₹100 crore at the box office.
Romancham is based on real-life incidents involving a group of youngsters in Bengaluru in 2007. Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, and Chemban Vinod Jose played the youngsters in the flick.
Jithu Madhavan is now busy with his second movie Aavesham, starring Fahadh Faasil.
Director Devan, who debuted with Valatty, did commendable work. It is an experimental movie which portrays that dogs do have feelings.
An animal lover, Devan wondered why dog films are not made in India, unlike in international cinema.
The team had set up a dog park at the shooting location and trained the canines.
Valatty is vocal about the stray dog menace and how humans deal with the problem without a proper mandate.
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