Kochi: With the Onam season also taken away by the COVID-19 threat, many Malayalam movies which were set for Onam release are in crisis. About Rs 75 crore was decided to be spent for the movies to be released during the Onam season. As the opening of the theatres is still not finalised, more movies are trying for online release.

About Rs 700 crore invested for 66 movies, including those of the super stars, is in dilemma. Meanwhile, permission was granted for production of new movies. This will make the trouble even worse, said the producers of the movies which were already completed.

Major movies and expense

  • Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham - Rs 100 crore
  • Malik - Rs 29 crore
  • Kurupp - Rs 32 crore
  • One - Rs 16 crore
  • Thuramugham - Rs 15 crore
  • Kilometres and Kilometres - Rs 8 crore
  • Mohankumar Fans - Rs 8 crore
  • Kunjeldho - Rs 4.5 crore

All hopes faded

The first blow was for the Ramzan and Vishu release movies as the COVID lockdown was imposed. Now the hopes to open theatres for Onam also has faded. We are clueless to take the next step, said Anto Joseph, secretary of Producers Association.