Despite criticism over the lack of focus on women actors in the first half of the year, films like 'Ullozhukku', 'Sookshmadarshini', 'Her', and 'Rifle Club' in the second half highlighted women in key roles.
Published Dec 31, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 31, 2024 | 9:00 AM
Top ten performances of 2024 in Malayalam. (X)
2024 has been a year of major box office hits, with several films featuring standout performances. Despite criticism over the lack of focus on women actors in the first half of the year, films like Ullozhukku, Sookshmadarshini, Her, and Rifle Club in the second half highlighted women in key roles.
Here are 10 of the best performances in Malayalam cinema this year.
2024 featured some incredible performances in Malayalam cinema. Urvashi’s portrayal of Leelamma in Ullozhukku, the mother-in-law of Parvathy’s character Anju, stands out as one of the year’s most remarkable roles.
Leelamma is a strong, traditional woman who would do anything for her family. While her relationship with Anju starts off cordial, it eventually faces a strain. Their dynamic plays a crucial role in this intense drama.
Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu in ‘Ullozhukku’. (X)
The pain of losing her son and discovering her daughter-in-law’s affair is a huge blow to Leelamma. Yet, she faces it all with courage. Urvashi delivers an outstanding performance in the film, alongside Parvathy Thiruvothu, who plays Anju.
Urvashi also had a strong role in the web series Her, where she plays a possessive housewife. Her performance in the series received widespread appreciation.
Parvathy Thiruvothu has become an actress known for taking on challenging roles. Her films this year—Ullozhukku, Thangalaan, and Her—are great examples of her acting talent.
In Christo Tomy’s Ullozhukku, Parvathy plays Anju, the daughter-in-law of Leelamma (Urvashi), a challenging role for any actor. Parvathy portrays Anju subtly, with her mannerisms, phone conversations with her lover, and discussions with her parents about her marriage standing out as key moments.
The scenes between Leelamma and Anju are the heart of the film. Their tumultuous relationship, from beginning to end, strengthens the story, with the climax being particularly impactful. Parvathy’s performance as Anju is one of her career bests.
In Her, Parvathy plays Ruchi, a character dealing with complex personal issues while maintaining a successful career. Her performance is impressive as she navigates her struggles, which is a key highlight of the movie.
Mammootty in ‘Bramayugam’. (X)
Who can forget Mammootty’s negative role as Kodumon Potti in Rahul Sadhasivan’s Bramayugam? Playing a character who is also a ‘Chathan’ is something most lead actors would shy away from, but Mammootty embraced it.
Known for taking on experimental roles, Mammootty has always been open to challenges. He has balanced his career by doing commercial films for box office success and also working with directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and TV Chandran, who are known for their parallel cinema.
Bramayugam is an experimental film directed by Rahul Sadhasivan, and it features strong performances by Arjun Ashokan and Siddharth Bharathan.
Fahadh Faasil in ‘Aavesham’. (X)
Fahadh Faasil had three releases this year—Aavesham, Bougainville, and Pushpa 2: The Rule.
However, his standout performance came in Aavesham, directed by Jithu Madhavan. Fahadh was at his peak, delivering a highly entertaining performance as Ranga, a ruthless don in Bengaluru. This quirky character, with his actions and mannerisms, was something fresh for the Malayali audience and is likely to become a cult figure.
Ranga’s scenes with Sajin Gopu, who plays his accomplice, provided a lot of entertainment in theatres. Fahadh’s performance in Pushpa 2: The Rule was also praised, especially in the original Telugu version, where he was dubbed for his role.
Fahadh has more exciting films lined up for 2025.
Vijayaraghavan in ‘Kishkinda Kaandam’. (X)
Veteran actor Vijayaraghavan delivered an impressive performance in Dinjith Ayyathan’s Kishkinda Kaandam. He played Appu Pillai, a retired army officer suffering from memory loss, who is determined to investigate a tragedy that occurred in his home.
Appu Pillai, a tough ex-military officer, is a challenging character to portray. This performance is one of the actor’s best in recent years. With over four decades in the industry, Vijayaraghavan’s portrayal of Appu Pillai stands out.
In the recent film Rifle Club, Vijayaraghavan plays Lonappan, the head of a rifle club in Wayanad. His character is portrayed as a disabled skilled sharpshooter and an excellent team leader.
A still from the film ‘Aadujeevitham’. (X)
Aadujeevitham is one of the most talked-about movies of 2024. Directed by Blessy, it is an adaptation of Benjamin’s novel by the same title Aadujeevitham. While not a direct portrayal of the book’s events, the film tells the story of Najeeb’s life in Kerala and the deserts of Saudi Arabia.
Prithviraj underwent a dramatic transformation for his role as Najeeb, shedding many kilos to fit the character. He warned that such weight loss is unhealthy for anyone.
Prithviraj’s portrayal of Najeeb, from an innocent man to a slave in the desert, is arguably his career-best performance. He lost 31 kilos for the role, and his dedication truly shaped the character.
His change in voice, body language, and the powerful scenes of him running to escape all stand out, reflecting his pain and despair.
‘ARM’ has also been released in 3D format. (X)
Tovino Thomas had a strong 2024, with two of his three films receiving positive reception from audiences.
His ambitious triple role in Jithin Laal’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam (ARM) is one of the most challenging of his career. Tovino’s portrayal of Ajayan and Maniyan was particularly praised. Ajayan, a naive character, must prove himself during difficult times.
On first viewing, Maniyan makes a strong impact, but upon a second watch, Ajayan’s complexity stands out. His inner feelings and mannerisms are crucial to the story, showing Tovino’s growth as an actor.
Tovino also impressed with his role as an investigator in Anweshippin Kandethum, where his performance was both challenging and noteworthy.
Asif Ali and Amala Paul at the sets of ‘Level Cross’. (X)
Asif Ali’s four releases—Thalavan, Level Cross, Adios Amigo, and Kishkindha Kaandam—received positive feedback from audiences.
In Thalavan, Asif had great chemistry with Biju Menon, while in Adios Amigo, he played a carefree youth alongside Suraj Venjaramoodu. Both roles showcased his versatility, with Asif playing a policeman in Thalavan and a laid-back character in Adios Amigo.
His standout performance came in Kishkindha Kaandam, where he portrayed Ajayan, the son of Appu Pillai (played by Vijayaraghavan). His emotional bond with his father was a key highlight, and his expressions and body language, especially in the climax, were impressive.
Asif also delivered a memorable performance in Level Cross, directed by Arfaz Ayub. Playing a railway gatekeeper in an imaginary land, Asif’s character is only revealed at the end, adding to the intrigue. His performance was a major highlight of the film, which was screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Nazriya in ‘Sookshmadarshini’. (X)
Nazriya Nazim made a grand comeback with Sookshmadarshini, a major hit this year. Directed by MC Jithin, she plays the lead role of Priyadarshini, with Basil Joseph portraying the antagonist.
Priyadarshini embarks on a journey to uncover certain truths, giving the film an investigative feel. However, it’s not a pure investigation. The director and writers carefully crafted the characters to ensure their relevance. Nazriya shines in the lead role, delivering one of the best performances of the year.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but I can’t end this article without mentioning Mohanlal’s titular role in Malaikottai Vaaliban. The movie generated a lot of hype but didn’t meet audience expectations for a mass entertainer from Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mohanlal.
Mohanlal’s portrayal of Malaikottai Vaaliban is the heart of the film. The veteran actor impressed in the fight sequences, and his acting, especially in the climax, was powerful. This role showcases a new avatar for Mohanlal, who also sported a bald look in his directorial debut Barroz, marking another distinct change.
Malaikottai Vaaliban is a character with a deep, troubled past, and his bond with his fellow men is well-crafted. This role may remain underrated due to the many other successful films and performances in 2024.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
