Published Aug 07, 2024 | 1:51 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 07, 2024 | 1:51 PM
Image for representational purpose only. (Wikimedia Commons)
Malayalam cinema is struggling with a dull business. The first half of 2024 saw several blockbusters, including Premalu, Bramayugam, Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitham, Aavesham, Turbo, and Guruvayoor Ambala Nadayil.
According to reports, Malayalam cinema made a roaring business to the tune of over ₹700 crore since January 2024. This is at a time when its Southern counterparts have not seen consistent business. However, after May, there weren’t any super hits.
Industry insiders observe that the Enforcement Directorate lanching an investigation into the financial fraud committed by the producers of Manjummel Boys and other blockbuster releases forced the Mollywood filmmakers to not announce the entry of their movies into the ₹100-crore club. Instead, they all decided to maintain a low profile about the collections.
This apart there have been no big releases in Malayalam since July, which is further adding to the dull business. Indeed, Prabhas’s latest pan-Indian release, Kalki 2898 AD, is the only film that raked in the moolah. The Nag Ashwin directorial collected around ₹31 crore at the Kerala box office.
Meanwhile, in an interview, Malayalam producer Siyad Koker pointed out that though five films became blockbusters in the first half of the calendar year, it doesn’t mean the industry is witnessing good profits since several other films flopped during the same period.
‘Adios Amigo’ and ‘Hunt’ got new release dates. (X)
Though June and July didn’t produce any megahits, movies like Golam, Vishesham, Partners, and Level Cross pulled crowds to the theatres and registered decent collections, too.
Nevertheless, the Wayanad landslides incurred heavy losses to the Malayalam film industry. The makers of Adios Amigo, Footage, Chithini, and Hunt postponed the release dates as a mark of respect towards those affected by the landslides. The former three were supposed to hit the cinema halls on 2 August and Hunt on 9 August.
Adios Amigo will be released on 9 August. Similarly, Bhavana’s horror thriller Hunt will hit the screens on 23 August.
The release dates of Saiju Sreedharan’s Footage and Chithini are not yet confirmed.
A producer, who wished not to be named, told South First that it was a good gesture from the makers to defer the release of their films in solidarity with those who lost their lives in the landslides. However, it is an undeniable fact that they incurred huge losses by rescheduling these ventures.
“Since the makers have already wrapped up the promotional activities and pushed the release date back, people tend to forget about these films,” he said.
A Kochi-based theatre owner said the business has been dull since July because there are no major hits and also since the release of some films has been postponed. “Only Kalki 2898 AD and Raayan have set the cash registers ringing at the Kerala box office. The rest were all small Malayalam films,” he added.
Raayan reportedly became the highest-grosser for Dhanush in Kerala, surpassing the collection of his Captain Miller (2024).
Two days of pure magic with the stars for the pre-release promotion of #AdiosAmigo in Sharjah! Thank you for the amazing support 🌟#AdiosAmigoFromAugust9th@actorasifali #SurajVenjaramoodu #ShineTomChacko #GanapathiSP #AlthafSalim #JinuJoseph @AnaghaOfficial… pic.twitter.com/CUc8qcqM7m
— Home Screen Entertainment (@homescreenent) August 7, 2024
‘Devadoothan’ re-release fetches profits for its makers. (X)
Amid these circumstances, the re-release of Devadoothan turned out to be a profitable venture for its producer. The Mohanlal-starrer, which was re-released on 26 July, is now available on 200 screens worldwide.
The movie was a flop upon its release in 2000. However, the remastered 4K version earned around ₹3.75 crore and even surpassed the collection of Spadikam (1995), which was re-released in 2023.
Meanwhile, movie buffs are eagerly waiting for the re-release of the classic Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu, which is all set to release on 17 August. The movie features Mohanlal, Shobana, and Suresh Gopi in the lead roles. It was a blockbuster hit in 1993 and was remade in other languages. too.
“Manichitrathazhu is a much-anticipated re-release for us theatre owners. We also have high hopes for Asif Ali and Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Adios Amigo,” said the Kochi-based exhibitor.
The Malayalam film industry has pinned high hopes on the upcoming Onam festival season. A slew of big-budget films are slated for release this time.
Mohanlal’s debut directorial Barroz will hit the screens on 12 September. Similarly, Antony Varghese’s action entertainer Kondal is expected to be released on 13 September.
Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam is expected for Onam, too.
Meanwhile, August releases like Vaazha, Bharathanatyam, Hunt, Porattu Nadakam, Paalum Pazhavum, and Nunakuzhi also drew good expectations among film enthusiasts.
These apart, Vikram’s most-awaited Tamil film, Thangalaan, will be released on 15 August. Vijay’s The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) and Suriya’s Kanguva, too, built anticipation among the audience in Kerala. Given the fan base that these Tamil stars enjoy in the state, their films are expected to end the dull business at the Malayalam box office.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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