Published May 09, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 09, 2024 | 9:00 AM
Malayalam cinema in the first quarter of 2024. (X)
It has been a remarkable first quarter for Malayalam cinema in 2024. The industry witnessed six blockbusters in just three months — February, March, and April.
Though the much-hyped Malaikottai Vaaliban, headlined by Mohanlal, was released in January, the movie didn’t do well at the box office as it couldn’t meet the expectations of the mass audience.
However, in January, Abraham Ozler — Jayaram’s comeback movie in Malayalam — became a superhit by earning around ₹40 crore worldwide.
The extended cameo appearance of Mammootty helped the flick pull crowds to the cinema halls.
Meanwhile, the six blockbuster hits released in the first quarter of 2024 contributed a revenue worth a whopping ₹700 crore to Malayalam cinema.
Premalu, a new-age romantic comedy directed by Girish AD, was the first ₹100 crore film in Malayalam this year. It became a sensational hit in Kerala. The Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions, too, did well at the respective box offices.
The film completed 50 days in theatres and earned over ₹130 crore gross worldwide. It is also doing great in the OTT space.
Given its success, the makers are coming up with a sequel to Premalu. The sequel, Premalu 2, will be released in 2025.
Mammootty in Bramayugam’. (X)
Mammootty’s Bramayugam, released on 15 February, raked in a gross worth ₹80 crore worldwide.
Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, the film starred Mammootty in a negative role as Kodumon Potty, a sorcerer. And we must say, this was the least we were expecting from the veteran actor since he has been delivering consecutive hits.
But the Malayalam superstar left everyone in awe with his profound performance as a sorcerer.
The horror thriller also created a sensation as the makers released it in Black-and-White format.
Meanwhile, released on 22 February, Manjummel Boys became the first Malayalam movie to enter the ₹200 crore club this year. It collected around ₹230 crore at the global office.
However, a case was filed against the producers of Manjummel Boys following a complaint by a person who financed the film. He alleged that the producers didn’t give him the profit promised to him even though the movie minted money.
Manjummel Boys has won the hearts of the OTT audience, too. The survival thriller was premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 5 May.
Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) is another superhit movie in the first quarter this year that garnered over ₹150 crore gross worldwide.
The Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer is still running in several theatres and is soon expected to enter the ₹200 crore club.
According to director Blessy, who also produced the movie, Aadujeevitham was made with a budget of ₹80 crore.
It left the likes of Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam spellbound.
Recently, actor Prithviraj and director Blessy shared their dream of taking their project to a big arena — the Oscars and other internal film festivals. However, they are looking to team up with foreign production houses as it will help vigorously promote and campaign their flick on international circuits.
Interestingly, Aadujeevitham is a survival thriller, too. It is based on the real-life incidents of Najeeb and is an adaptation of the book “Aadujeevitham“, written by Benyamin.
A poster of the film ‘Avesham’. (X)
The success streak continued in April with Vishu releases — Aavesham and Varshangalku Sesham.
Avesham, where Fahadh Faasil played a don, is leading at the box office in May by collecting ₹150 crore at the global box office.
Fahadh played a loud character of a don (Ranga) in his career for the first time and impressed the audience.
Sushin Shyam’s songs were another highlight of the flick.
The quirky writing by director Jithu Madhavan helped the film pull crowds to the theatres.
The film is all to debut on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video on 9 May, exactly 28 days after its release.
In Kerala, the theatres under FEUOK (Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala) don’t usually screen films once they are premiered on OTT space.
As a result, Aavesham is likely to have a theatrical run in Kerala only till 8 May. But it is expected to be screened in multiplexes.
Varshangalkku Shesham, directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, is another superhit film of 2024.
The film stars Dhyan Sreenivasan and Pranav Mohanlal in the lead roles. It also has a cameo role by Nivin Pauly.
Fans and critics hailed Nivin’s performance and termed the project as his comeback movie.
After watching the flick, Mohanlal thanked the team for making him nostalgic.
Varshangalkku Shesham collected ₹80 crore so far and is racing towards the ₹100-crore club.
A poster of the film ‘Nadikar’. (X)
Nivin Pauly’s Malayalee From India and Tovino Thomas’ Nadikar were released in theatres in the first week of May. Nevertheless, they only registered some decent collections.
Both films received mixed reviews.
Meanwhile, senior screenwriter Nishad Koya alleged plagiarism by the makers of Malayalee From India. Nishad claimed that Malayalee From India has striking similarities with his script (“Indo-Pak“), which he narrated to director Dijo Jose Antony who helmed the film.
These apart, there are some big releases slated for release in May.
For instance, Mammootty’s Turbo will hit the screens on 23 May. Directed by Vysakh, it was penned by scriptwriter-director Midhun Manuel Thomas.
Similarly, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph’s Guruvayoor Ambala Nadayil is another much-anticipated film that will be released this month. Vipin Das directed it.
Mandakini (headlined by Althaf Salim and Anarkali Marikar), Maju’s Perumani, and Arun Bose’s Marivillin Gopurangal will hit the theatres on 10 May.
Pranitha K, a media professional based in Chennai, opined that Malayalam cinema is booming and has had a fabulous first quarter in 2024.
“With back-to-back hits, starting from Premalu to Varshangalkku Shesham, it’s been a journey of overwhelming success for Malayalam cinema. The craze and popularity of movies like Manjummel Boys, Bramayugam, and Aadujeevitham helped the industry to a large extent,” Pranitha told South First.
She felt that Malayalam cinema is attracting viewers nationwide and also shifting business from the local audience to pan-India.
“It’s a great sign. Looks like the golden phase is back! As an avid Malayalam movie watcher, I am extremely proud and happy about this remarkable growth. I sincerely hope this success streak continues in Malayalam,” she said.
Award-winning director Shruthi Sharanyam, who helmed B 32 Muthal 44 Vare in 2023, feels that the filmmakers need to keep their momentum going.
“I hope we can keep this momentum going. It’s not an easy task. The taste and entertainment requirements of audiences keep changing. We must keep up with the entertainment spectrum while meeting their expectations,” Shruthi Sharanyam told South First.
An exhibitor based out in Kochi told South First it’s quite a good time for the theatres in Kerala. “We saw good footfalls in the first quarter of 2024. If this momentum continues in the future, the business will boom. There are a few big Malayalam movies lined up for release this year. Hope they will mint money at the box office, too,” he added.
