Malayalam cinema: Debut directors who made a mark in 2023

Movies By Arjun Ramachandran 02/01/2024 Read the article

In 2023, the Malayalam industry witnessed many promising directors making a debut. Some of them delivered blockbusters, while others made content-driven films. Lets look at a few.

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Fazil Razak’s Thadavu (The Sentence) tugs at your heartstrings with realistic, heartwarming sequences and powerful performances. It was screened only at 28th IFFK.

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Shruthi Sharanyam’s B 32 Muthal 44 Vare (Bust 32″ to Bust 44″) is a bold film released in 2023. It won the Best Director Award (Female) in the Women/Transgender category.

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Indu Lakshmi took a relevant theme for her directorial debut Nila. It showcases the abilities of a wheelchair-bound elderly woman. It deserves a applause for its bold theme.

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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.

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RDX, an Onam release, was a sleeper hit. The movie beat Dulquer Salmaan’s King of Kotha and Nivin Pauly’s Ramachandra Boss & Co.

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Akhil Sathyan had an impressive debut with his film Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, which featured Fahadh Faasil and Anjana Jayaprakash in the lead roles.

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Jithu Madhavan’s 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.

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Director Devan, who debuted with Valatty, did commendable work. It is an experimental movie which portrays that dogs do have feelings.

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