5 unmissable Malayalam movies to watch
Malayalam cinema has witnessed a remarkable resurgence, with filmmakers pushing boundaries of storytelling and cinematic craftsmanship, especially in the last few years. From gripping thrillers to poignant dramas, Malayalam films have captured audiences worldwide. Here, we have curated a list of five Malayalam movies that should be on the watchlist of every cinema enthusiast.
Drishyam (2013)
A Malayalam film that gained immense popularity across the country is the Mohanlal starrer Drishyam. Directed by Jeethu Joseph, ‘Drishyam’ is one of the best Indian thrillers. The film explored complex relationships and moral dilemmas. Also starring Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil, and Asha Sharath, it became the first Malayalam movie to have crossed the Rs. 50 crore mark, making and breaking several records. It was also one of the top 10 highest-grossing Malayalam films, until it was pushed out of the list by Mohanlal’s ‘Neru’.
Premam (2015)
Directed by Alphonse Puthren, this coming-of-age romantic drama saw Nivin Pauly and Sai Pallavi in the leading roles, marking the latter’s acting debut. The film revolves around George (Nivin), who fails at his first love until he meets his college lecturer, Malar (Sai), who rekindles his interest in love. ‘Premam’ is a story of the different stages that George goes through in love and how those experiences shape him. Made on a small budget of Rs. 4 crore, it earned Rs. 73 crore. It was nominated under seven categories at the 63rd Filmfare Awards, bagging the Best Female Debut for Sai and Best Male Playback Singer for Vijay Yesudas for ‘Malare’.
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017)
Starring Fahadh Faasil and Sooraj Venjaramoodu, ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’ is a critically acclaimed crime thriller that delves into social commentary, exploring themes of social class, morality, and human relationships. Directed by Dileesh Pothan, it received widespread critical acclaim and also became a huge blockbuster at the Kerala box office. It won three National Film Awards: Best Feature Film in Malayalam, Best Screenplay (Sajeev Pazhoor), and Best Supporting Actor (Fahadh).
Mayaanadhi (2017)
Directed by Aashiq Abu, ‘Mayaanadhi’ is a poignant romantic drama exploring complex human relationships. Starring Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi in the leading roles, ‘Mayaanadhi’ is a story about a young couple—John Mathew, a criminal on the run, and Aparna, an aspiring actor—their love and struggle for survival. Both, Tovino and Aishwarya, won the Second Best Actor and Second Best Actress awards at the Kerala State Film Awards for the movie.
Kumbalangi Nights (2019)
Director Madhu C Narayanan’s ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ is a critically acclaimed drama portraying life in Kumbalangi through stunning visuals. Jointly produced by Fahadh and Nazriya Nazim's Fahadh Faasil and Friends production house, the film features an ensemble cast comprising Fahadh, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, and Shane Nigam in the lead, alongside debutants Anna Ben, Mather Thomas, and Grace Antony in pivotal roles. Made on a budget of Rs. 6.5 crore, the film minted Rs. 39 crore and gained cult status.