'Ajayante Randam Moshanam', 'Kishkindha Kandam', 'Kondal', and 'Bad Boyz' are the major releases this festival season.
Published Sep 05, 2024 | 9:30 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 05, 2024 | 9:30 AM
Onam 2024 releases in Malayalam. (Facebook)
As the Onam season draws near, Malayalam cinema is gearing up for its festival releases. In all, four films will hit the theatres this Onam 2024.
The Malayalam film industry is currently overshadowed by sexual allegations against prominent actors and filmmakers, following the recent publication of a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee Report. However, despite this, some filmmakers and industry insiders are optimistic that these allegations will not affect the box office.
Veteran actors Mohanlal and Mammootty recently voiced their concern over the report, stating that these allegations should not harm the Malayalam industry and that cinema must continue to thrive.
Tovino Thomas, whose new film Ajayante Randam Moshanam is set to release for Onam 2024, also shared his thoughts on the report. He felt that the Justice Hema Commission and similar initiatives would address many issues—not instantly, but as a starting point.
He stressed that those guilty of sexual abuse must be punished and hoped that people’s attitudes would change so that no one dared to commit such crimes again.
Similarly, actor Asif Ali expressed his deep respect for the victims, who courageously shared their experiences with the Justice Hema Committee. He stated that justice should be served to the women who spoke out against sexual assault.
Asif Ali’s Kishkindha Kandam is scheduled for release on 12 September.
Without much ado, let’s check the Onam releases in Malayalam for the year 2024:
Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam is one of the key releases for Onam 2024. It will hit the screens on 12 September.
This is a significant project in Tovino Thomas’s career, as it is the first time he is taking on multiple roles.
Tovino will be playing three different roles in it—Maniyan, Kunjikelu, and Ajayan—each from a different era: 1900, 1950, and the 1990s.
The film also attracted attention as it is a 3D production. The makers recently released a motion poster and an impressive trailer along with a new romantic song from the flick.
Ajayante Randam Moshanam is directed by debutant Jithin Laal, with a script by Sujith Nambiar and an additional screenplay by Deepu Pradeep.
This film also marks Krithi Shetty’s debut in Malayalam cinema and features Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Lakshmi, Rohini, Basil Joseph, Jagadish, and Harish Uthaman in key roles.
On the work front, Tovino Thomas is busy with several new films, including Narivetta directed by Anuraj Manohar, Identity by Akhil Paul, and Munpe directed by Saiju Sreedharan. He is also part of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s directorial L2: Empuraan, which stars Mohanlal.
Tovino Thomas is also producing Marana Mass with Basil Joseph in the lead role.
Antony Varghese Pepe’s next, Kondal, is another action-oriented film, as shown in its teaser. The movie releases for Onam on 13 September and will compete with Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam.
A teaser was recently released, showing Antony Varghese Pepe as Manuel, a young man from a coastal area. The teaser suggested that his character would deal with various undisclosed issues and get involved in fights at the harbour.
Kondal features Shabheer Kallarakkal, popular as Dancing Rose, in a negative role in the movie. He was previously seen in Dulquer Salmaan’s King of Kotha (2023) and received praise for his role.
Kannada actor Raj B Shetty also plays a villain in the movie. He was last seen in Mammootty’s latest outing, Turbo.
Kondal is based on the lives of people in coastal areas and includes high-octane action scenes. Fans of Antony Varghese can expect thrilling action sequences, especially those set on a ship.
Newcomer Prathiba plays the female lead, with Goutami Nair in a significant role.
The big-budget movie is directed by debutant Ajit Mampally and produced by Weekend Blockbusters. This is the seventh venture of the production house, with filming taking place in various locations.
Antony Varghese is teaming up with Weekend Blockbusters for the second time, following their superhit film RDX (2023). The movie’s action scenes are choreographed by Vikram More, who previously worked on KGF: Chapter 1 (2019) and Kantara (2022).
The cinematography is by Deepak D Menon, and the music is by Sam CS.
After a series of hits, Asif Ali stars in his new movie Kishkindha Kandam, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan. It is set to release on 12 September for Onam.
The recently released teaser hints that the movie is a thriller set in a reserve forest.
Actor Vijayaraghavan plays the strict father of Asif Ali’s character, as shown in the teaser. Aparna Balamurali is the female lead, who searches for something in the forest to possibly uncover some truths. The film is expected to be a gripping thriller.
This is Dinjith’s second movie after the super hit venture Kakshi: Amminippilla (2019), which also starred Asif Ali.
Rahul Ramesh wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogue for Kishkindha Kandam. Joby George is producing it under his banner Goodwill Entertainments.
The movie also casts Vijayaraghavan, Jagadish, Ashokan, Nishan, Vyshnavi Raj, Major Ravi, Nizhalkal Ravi, Shebin Benson, Kottayam Ramesh, Bilas Chandrahasan, Master Aarav, and Gibin Gopinath.
Rahul Ramesh also handled the cinematography. The movie is edited by Sooraj ES, with music composed by Mujeeb Majeed.
Expectations are running high for Kishkindha Kandam as Asif Ali’s previous films Thalavan, Level Cross, and Adios Amigo were all hits.
Bad Boyz, directed by Omar Lulu, is the last in the list of Onam 2024 releases in Malayalam. It will hit the big screens on 13 September.
It is a comedy film with the usual entertainment elements found in Omar Lulu‘s works.
The film is headlined by Rahman and Dhyan Sreenivasan. It has an ensemble cast, including Saiju Kurup, Babu Antony, Bibin George, Anson Paul, Senthil Krishna, Bala, Aju Varghese, Tini Tom, Harisree Ashokan, Ramesh Pisharody, Dracula Sudheer, Sohan Seenulal, Motta Rajendran, Sajin Cherukayil, Sheelu Abraham, Aradhya Ann, and Mallika Sukumaran.
The makers hinted at some surprise appearances in Bad Boyz, adding to the anticipation for the movie. The screenplay and dialogues are written by Sarang Jayaprakash.
The cinematography is by Alby, with editing by Dilip Dennis. The music is composed by William Francis, and the lyrics are written by BK Harinarayanan, Vinayak Sasikumar, and Akhilesh Ramachandran.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
