Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has praised Mammootty–Vinayakan starrer Kalamkaval, calling it a “bold experiment” that elevates the standards of Malayalam cinema.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the minister said the film deserves to be listed among the works that push the industry to greater artistic heights.

Sivankutty noted that Kalamkaval showcases a rare on-screen competition between Mammootty and Vinayakan, adding that both actors delivered remarkable performances. He also extended his congratulations to the film’s director and crew.

Kalamkaval, which hit theatres on Friday, is directed by debutant Jithin K. Jose, who co-wrote the screenplay along with Jishnu Sreekumar. Produced by Mammootty Kampany, the film also features Gibin Gopinath, Gayatri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan, and Shruti Ramachandran in key supporting roles.

Sivankutty’s FB post:

This film is one that can be fearlessly added to the list of works that elevate the standards of Malayalam cinema even further.

Seeing our beloved Mammookka and Vinayakan compete on the silver screen was the highlight of ‘Kalamkaval’. Mammookka’s courage and dedication in constantly exploring new layers of acting as time passes are truly astonishing. With subtle expressions and nuanced emotions, he made his character unforgettable.

Equally noteworthy is Vinayakan’s performance. His ability to portray raw human lives, with all their intensity, on screen is exceptional. In this film, Vinayakan delivers a striking performance that stands firmly alongside Mammookka’s.

With its strong theme and excellent presentation, there is no doubt that ‘Kalamkaval’ will secure a place in the hearts of viewers. My heartfelt congratulations to the director and all the crew members behind this wonderful film.

May good cinema continue to succeed.

Kalamkaval Box Office Collection

Kalamkaval hit theatres on December 5 and opened to strong audience interest across Kerala. The thriller, starring Mammootty and Vinayakan in key roles, generated significant buzz leading up to its release.

Early box office indicators suggest a solid start. As per industry tracker Sacnilk, the Malayalam crime thriller registered an impressive ₹4.75 crore on its opening day — outperforming the Day 1 collections of Bazooka, Dominic, and The Ladies' Purse.

The film had already built momentum ahead of release, clocking over ₹1.25 crore in gross pre-sales on Day 1 itself.