Picture imperfect in Mollywood; loss of ₹110 crores in January, only ‘Rekhachithram’ nets profit

Kochi: The data released by the Kerala Film Producers Association in connection with the total films released and the revenue earned from theatres reveals the sorry state of affairs in Malayalam film industry. Out of the 28 Malayalam films, 12 Non Malayalam films and 1 re release, only ‘Rekhachithram’, directed by Jofin T Chacko starring Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan, has been able to generate enough revenue from the theatres to make a profit. The total loss incurred from the films is estimated to be ₹110 crore in January alone.

Tovino Thomas starrer Identity had a production cost of ₹30 crore but earned only ₹3.5 crore from theatres. Orumpettavan, starring Indrans and Jafar Idukki, was made on a budget of ₹2.5 crore but earned just ₹3 lakh.

Rekhachitram, made on a budget of approximately ₹8.56 crore, collected ₹12.5 crore from theatres across Kerala.

The association stated that Mammootty's Dominic and the Ladies Purse, Basil Joseph’s PonMan  and Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Oru Jaathi Jaathakam were profitable through non-theatrical revenues despite low box office collections.

Producers pointed out that around 60% of a film's budget goes into actor and technician salaries, increasing losses. They have demanded reductions in GST, entertainment tax, and actors' high remuneration. The association also noted that the Malayalam film industry is facing a severe crisis, with only 12% of films succeeding annually.

Report released by Kerala Film Producers Association 

1. Communist Pacha – Budget: ₹2 crore, Share: ₹1,25,000
2. ID the Fake – Budget: ₹2.47 crore, Share: ₹1,50,000
3. Identity – Budget: ₹30 crore, Share: ₹3.5 crore
4. The Malabar Tales – Budget: ₹50 lakh, Share: ₹2.5 lakh
5. Orumpettavan – Budget: ₹2.5 crore, Share: ₹3 lakh
6. Rekhachitram – Budget: ₹8.56 crore, Share: ₹12.5 crore
7. Ente Swantham Punyalan – Budget: ₹8.7 crore, Share: ₹1.2 crore
8. Pravinkood Shaap – Budget: ₹18 crore, Share: ₹4 crore
9. Aadachai – Budget: ₹50 lakh, Share: Not available
10. Off Road – Budget: ₹1 crore, Share: ₹63,000
11. 1098 – Budget: ₹40 lakh, Share: Not available
12. Dominic and the Ladies Purse – Budget: ₹19 crore, Share: ₹4.25 crore
13. Am Ah – Budget: ₹3.5 crore, Share: ₹30 lakh
14. Anbod Kanmani – Budget: ₹3 crore, Share: ₹25 lakh
15. Avirachante Swantham Inangathi – Budget: ₹45 lakh, Share: ₹1.5 lakh
16. Bestie – Budget: ₹4.81 crore, Share: ₹20 lakh
17. PonMan – Budget: ₹8.9 crore, Share: ₹2.5 crore
18. Oru Jaathi Jaathakam – Budget: ₹5 crore, Share: ₹1.5 crore
19. Ente Priyathaman – Budget: ₹2.5 crore, Share: Not available
20. Secret of Woman – Budget: ₹60 lakh, Share: ₹2 lakh
21. 4 Seasons – Budget: ₹2.5 crore, Share: ₹10,000
22. Oru Katha Oru Nalla Katha – Budget: ₹1 crore, Share: ₹1 lakh
23. Parannu Parannu Parannu Chellan – Budget: ₹3 crore, Share: ₹3.5 lakh
24. Deshakkaran – Budget: ₹90 lakh, Share: ₹40,000
25. Emerald – Budget: ₹20 lakh, Share: ₹20,000
26. Super Jimny – Budget: ₹2 crore, Share: ₹15 lakh
27. N Vazhithani Vazhi – Budget: ₹1 lakh, Share: Not available
28. Mr. Bengali: The Real Hero – Budget and share details not available.