The rise of Mollywood: 5 films that entered 100 crore club this year

The year 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable for Malayalam cinema, with the industry delivering some of its finest films across various genres. Several of these movies have also reached the milestone of crossing the 100 crore mark—an achievement once reserved for Bollywood and other industries but now becoming increasingly common in Mollywood as well. Let’s take a look at five such films that have successfully entered the 100 crore club this year.

Manjummel Boys
'Manjummel Boys', helmed by director Chidambaram, has emerged as the biggest blockbuster in Malayalam cinema this year. With earnings surpassing Rs 200 crore, it has achieved a milestone rarely seen in the industry. Featuring a talented ensemble cast including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, and Khalid Rahman, the film is a gripping survival thriller. The story revolves around a group of friends from the small locality of Manjummel in Kochi, who embark on a vacation to Kodaikanal. Their trip takes an unexpected turn when one of them becomes trapped in the treacherous Guna Caves.

Aadujeevitham
Directed by Blessy and starring Prithviraj in the lead role, 'Aadujeevitham' is another intense survival thriller adapted from Benyamin’s novel, which itself is inspired by the true story of Najeeb, a Malayali migrant worker in the Gulf. Najeeb's harrowing tale of survival—his relentless battle against a cruel fate that thrust him into the most isolated parts of the world—has become a significant part of Malayali literary history. Prithviraj's exceptional performance in the movie earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor this year. The actor also underwent a remarkable physical transformation for the role, further adding depth to his portrayal of the character.

Premalu
'Premalu', directed by Girish AD and starring Naslen and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles, stands out as one of the finest romantic comedies from the Malayalam film industry this year. The story follows Sachin Santhosh, a graduate from Kerala who initially plans to move to the UK but instead heads to Hyderabad to take a GATE course. There, he meets Reenu Roy, an IT professional, and the two eventually fall in love. What truly resonates in 'Premalu' is the authentic bond between Sachin and his friend Amal Davis, as well as Sachin's sincere affection for Reenu. These elements struck a chord with the youth of Kerala, making the film a relatable and heartwarming experience.

Aavesham
‘Aavesham,’ which translates to 'impulsion' in Malayalam, lives up to its name in every sense. The film is a powerhouse performance, with Fahadh Faasil delivering an unforgettable portrayal. Set in Bengaluru, the story follows three college students—Bibi, Santhan, and Aju—who join Ranga’s (Fahadh) gang to stand up to their intimidating seniors. The film boldly reintroduces Fahadh in the role of Ranga, setting the stage for his dynamic performance. In ‘Aavesham,’ Fahadh is presented in a new, electrifying light, exuding raw energy and intensity that captivates throughout the film.

ARM
In 'ARM', Tovino Thomas tackles the challenge of portraying three distinct characters—Kelu, Maniyan, and Ajayan—each from a different era with their own unique personalities. Under the direction of Jithin Lal, the film unfolds as an epic tale, boasting grand visuals, a powerful background score, and stunning cinematography. The film’s scale may evoke comparisons to other major productions like Prithviraj’s Urumi. However, the true standout of ARM is Tovino’s remarkable performance. His portrayal of the three roles, particularly Maniyan, showcases his incredible acting range and is undoubtedly the film's most memorable aspect.