Malayalam cinema 2023: Of hits and misses

Malayalam cinema 2023 Of hits and misses The year of Mammootty

Malayalam cinema 2023 has seen a bitter-sweet year. Proving the doomsayers wrong, movie-goers were back in cinemas. So, the pandemic had not killed cinemas. Hallelujah! But, before the trumpets are blown, there is more to explore. All is not rosy as the last frames of the year fade into the sunset.

Although films in the language made a mark with interesting themes, narratives and treatment, barely 20 to 25 of the 217 films released in 2023 managed to get audiences in theatres. Even as Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018, Everyone Is A Hero broke box office records and got selected as India’s entry to the Oscars, there were several movies that could not be screened due to lack of viewers and theatres. Then there was R Krishand’s Purusha Pretham that premiered on OTT and went on to become one of the most discussed works of the year.

Viewers decided what to watch in cinemas or in the comfort of their homes on OTT. So, certain films that did not do well in theatres, won viewers when they dropped on OTT.

Here is a quick look at the major highlights in Mollywood in the year that went by.

The year has been bookmarked by two films of Mammootty — Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (NNM)and Kaathal - The Core — which saw the thespian step it up with two never-before-seen characters. Another movie headlined by him was Kannur Squad. Although there was a Christropher in between, it looked like Mammootty had done some hard thinking to reinvent himself and take on roles that challenged him as an actor. Incidentally, both NNM and Kaathal – The Core were produced under the actor’s banner.

On the other hand, the other M, Mohanlal, was hardy seen on the screen but for the disappointing Alone. All eyes are on Neru, directed by Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph.

Tovino Thomas’ role in Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018, Everyone Is A Hero, on the rescue efforts during the 2018 floods in Kerala, won him the best Asian actor ward at the Septimius Awards. His Adrishya Jalakangal directed by Dr. Biju, premiered at the 27th Tallinn Black Nights International Film Festival in Estonia, a first for Malayalam cinema.