From macho icons to relatable characters: Evolution of the hero in Malayalam cinema

Time of India

21-05-2025

(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Compared to the day when the so-called alpha-male heroes ruled Malayalam cinema, it seems that a drastic change has happened in the hero concept in Mollywood. In the early decades, particularly the 1970s and 80s, heroes were often larger-than-life figures, epitomized by stars like Jayan, who embodied a "Superman-superstar" archetype with exaggerated masculinity, action-packed roles, and moral absolutism.
These characters were idealized as invincible, macho role models, often dominating narratives with their physical prowess and heroic deeds.
The big change in 2010
The 2010s marked a turning point with the rise of the "new generation" Malayalam cinema movement, characterized by unconventional themes and narrative techniques. This era saw a shift away from the stereotypical macho hero toward more relatable, flawed, and nuanced protagonists.
Actors like Fahadh Faasil redefined heroism by portraying characters with reformative masculinity, often embracing marginalized or traditionally feminized traits, such as vulnerability and emotional depth.
This created an alternative model of manhood that connected with modern audiences.
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'Took 3 months to convince Kuruthi director to cast me as a villain' - Prithviraj Sukumaran
One major interesting trend in Malayalam cinema is that the stars who enjoy a huge fan base have come forward to take up negative-shaded characters.
One such example is Prithviraj Sukumaran in the film 'Kuruthi'.
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Talking to India Today, Prithviraj said, 'I think that, as an actor or a star, you should always be wise enough to identify how you can lend yourself the best possible way to a film. For a film like 'Kuruthi', it came to me just as a project with no casting, nothing, and I produced that film. It took me about three months to convince the director [Manu Warrier] that I shouldn't be the hero and I should be the villain.
I thought that was the best way I could lend myself to the film.
It is always important that you prioritise the film first and what you do in the film second.'
'The representation of a Malayali hero has changed' - Pooja Mohanraj
In an exclusive talk with the actress Pooja Mohanraj, she said that the representation of Malayali hero has changed drastically.
Talking to ETimes, she said, 'The representation of a Malayali hero has also changed.
All these films have extremely vulnerable men. They are not in a position to act supreme; they are actually losing their control, which is completely different from a toxic hero.'
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Taking the example of the Basil Joseph starrer 'Ponman', the audiences are let in on the fact that the hero in the movie is nothing when compared to the villain played by Sajin Gopu, even in terms of physical strength. What connects the audience to the hero in 'Ponman' is surely his determination and willpower, which makes him go to any extent to achieve what he wants.
Even in the climax fight scenes, Basil Joseph's character is using wit rather than strength to take over the antagonist.
"The Malayalam film industry is not a hero-dominated industry now" - Kalesh Ramanand
Talking exclusively to ETimes, the actor Kalesh Ramanand said, "The Malayalam film industry has changed a lot and is now focusing on its content rather than any other factors.I am not some actor with a great market value or something.
I am just a sidekick actor. If someone trusted me to put me as the lead for a film and wrap up its shoot within 30 or 35 days, then they were only trusting the content. The Malayalam industry is now proving that even without a hero, content can be made.
Mollywood is not a hero-dominated industry now."
'Even Fahadh Faasil's Ranga wants to be a toxic alpha'
Talking to ETimes, the 'Aavesham' actor Pooja Mohanraj shares, ''Even Fahadh Faasil's Ranga wants to be a toxic alpha, but there is so much in him that creates a conflict in him where he is unable to become the toxic alpha that he wishes to be.
He wants to be loved amid all his traumas. So the kind of hero representation in Malayalam cinema has changed.'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
She further said, 'Even in Naslen's 'Premalu' or 'Bramayugam', we see different shades of men. And in 'Manjummel Boys', you see different shades of men with vulnerabilities. These are all characters who are not like an ideal hero who has it all sorted out; they all have their weaknesses. This is a very interesting twist that has happened in Malayalam cinema now.'
Are the audiences loving this change?
Malayali audiences grew up watching their favourite superstars playing heroic characters in movies like 'Narasimham', 'Vallyettan', and others. Ideally, such a shift or lightening their tones in heroic deeds should create mixed opinions from the audiences.
Interestingly, the Malayali audiences seem to be loving this new shift in the heroic concept. In the most recent Mohanlal film 'Thudarum', they saw their favourite superstar weak in the first half when Prakash Varma's villain character overpowers him. The same was the case with 'Drishyam' and Mammootty's 'Bramayugam'.
In conclusion, a weaker hero or a vulnerable hero will surely open new realms for an intriguing and interesting story telling.
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