Titles That Define The New Generation Of Malayalam Cinema!

1. Ozhivudivasathe Kali (2015)
   In this drama depicting alcoholic men grappling with inner demons and bigotries, an unknown ensemble cast delivers efficacious performances. Brilliantly crafted by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, the film stands out for its ad-libbed dialogues and the second half captured in a single take. With multiple layers of interpretation and a fairly disturbing climax, ‘Ozhivudivasathe Kali,’ based on a short story by acclaimed writer Unni R, is a must-see for every Malayali and non-Malayali alike.

2. Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)
   In an unconventional portrayal, this film tells a relatable tale of score-settling. Humor is evenly sprinkled in both halves, and the romance elements carry just the right dose of mushiness. The stunts are prudently executed, and Syam Pushkaran’s engaging screenplay adds depth. Fahadh, as dependable as ever, delivers a noteworthy performance. Alancier and Soubin Shahir bring the house down on numerous occasions, making this a cracker of a debut for Dileesh Pothan.

3. Ee Adutha Kaalathu (2012)
   A fine example of intelligent and gripping screenplay, “Ee Adutha Kaalathu” weaves multiple storylines seamlessly. Despite a few low points, Murali Gopy’s skill in handling the screenplay, coupled with Indrajith’s blazing performance, earns this film a spot on my list of top films in the last 5 years. Pop-culture and bookish references blend seamlessly with the storyline, making “Ee Adutha Kaalathu” a landmark film that signifies the changing trends in Malayalam cinema. To a significant extent, it succeeds in boldly bringing certain tabooed topics into the forefront.

4. Amen (2013)

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s genre mishmash (satire / drama / fantasy / romance / musical) worked wonders when it released back in the summer of 2013. Fahadh, Indrajith, Kalabhavan Mani, Joy Mathew and Chemban Vinod. The film garnered critical and audience acclaim through their energetic performances. The musical score by Prashant Pillai and scintillating cinematography by Abhinandan Ramanujam proved to be major pluses. The white-clad eccentric villagers of Kumarankary are not going to be forgotten any soon.

5. Kammatipaadam (2016)
   A gritty, testosterone-driven drama that sheds light on the evolution of the city of Ernakulam and the role of the real-estate lobby in it. Leading the thug-pack is Manikandan who plays the role of Balettan, the dark-skinned thug who impresses with his don’t-give-a-fuck attitude and daredevil antics, indirectly becoming an idol to his brother Ganga, played superbly by Vinayakan and his buddy Krishnan. Krishnan is played by none other than Dulquer Salmaan. Performances are uniformly astounding and having a director like Rajeev Ravi at the helm only helped.

6. Bangalore Days (2014)
   A feel-good film explores the coming-of-age journey of three cousins—Nivin Pauly, Nazriya, and Dulquer—in the vibrant city of Bengaluru. Notably, Fahadh effortlessly steals the limelight. Anjali Menon’s script proves to be a crowd-pleaser, and her delightful packaging ensures the movie spreads cheer far and wide.

7. Mumbai Police (2012)
   A buddy-cop thriller that surprises you in more ways than one. Bobby-Sanjay’s script subverts most cliches associated with the genre and brings to the viewer a thrilling cinematic experience. The (extremely bold) move taken by a star such as Prithviraj was widely appreciated. By far, the best film in Rosshan Andrrews’ filmography. The narrative unfurls in a cleverly constructed manner, saving the shocks for the last.

8. Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010)

After plenty of films that centered on various slangs spoken by the people residing in different districts of Kerala ended up borderline sickening. This Ranjith venture struck gold at the box-office and won over the hearts of critics and audience alike. Led by a solid performance from Mammootty, this satirical comedy carved out a niche of its own with its quirky screenplay, the skilful application of the Thrissur slang and fantasy element meshed with satire.

9. North 24 Kaatham (2013)
   In Anil Radhakrishnan Menon’s debut film, a magnificent road movie unfolds, portraying the challenges confronted by an I.T professional grappling with OCD. The screenplay skillfully weaves numerous instances that elicit both laughter and tears. Strong character portrayals by Nedumudi Venu, Swathi Reddy, and Chemban Vinod significantly enhance the film. As anticipated, Fahadh delivers a laudable performance.

10. Drishyam (2013)
    This Jeethu Joseph directorial led to the birth of a new genre in Malayalam cinema… ’family-thriller’. A first-half full of familial banter and light-hearted comedy. And a second that keeps the viewer on the edge of the seat, ‘Drishyam’ also turned out to be the highest grossing Malayalam movie in its time. Asha Sarath and Kalabhavan Shajon emerged as stand-out performers.