Kochi: Revealing that most of the recently released movies were failures, the Producers Association has called for a reduction in actors’ remuneration. This year, 199 films were released, with a total production cost of around ₹1,000 crore. Out of these, only 26 films succeeded, recovering around ₹300 crore. The remaining ₹700 crore was lost. The producers warn that Malayalam cinema will face a crisis if actors do not reduce their pay.

The association states that, given the high number of failures among recent releases, reducing costs has become unavoidable.

Five films this year have grossed over ₹100 crore. Films like Manjummel Boys, Premalu, Aadujeevitham, Avesham and ARM  have crossed the ₹100 crore mark. Manjummel Boys earned ₹242 crore, with ₹100 crore of that coming from Tamil Nadu alone. The film also earned nearly ₹10 crore in Karnataka and became the first to gross $10 million in the US.

Films like Kishkindhakandam, Guruvayur Ambalanadayil and Varshangalkku Shesham have earned more than ₹50 crore at the box office. Films like Golam, Pani and Mura have created a buzz in theatres.

Among the 2024 re-releases, only two Mohanlal films have been successful: Manichitrathazhu, directed by Fazil, and Devaduthan, directed by C B Malayil.

Malayalam cinema has contributed around 20% to India's total box-office gross for 2024, while Bollywood's share stands at only 38%. Last year, Malayalam cinema's gross collection reached approximately ₹500 crore, with successful films like 2018, Romancham, Kannur Squad, RDX and Neru.