From 'Manjummel Boys' to 'Thudarum': Malayalam Films That Found Strength in Real Stories
Mollywood has long drawn attention from other film industries for its consistent focus on realistic storytelling and compelling narratives. While industries like Bollywood have produced notable biopics and tribute films, Mollywood stands apart for infusing its projects with a distinct artistic essence. Rather than presenting subjects overtly, these films often explore themes with subtlety and depth. The true beauty of this approach lies in how socially relevant stories are woven into visually rich and artistically nuanced storytelling.
In recent films such as '
Manjummel Boys
', '
Thudarum
', and '
Rekhachithram
', what resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike was the emotional and artistic transformation of well-known real-life incidents. One of the most striking aspects of such films is their ability to draw audiences to cinemas purely on the strength of storytelling—without relying on heavy promotions or high-octane action sequences. Rooted in familiar landscapes, these films explored emotions of survival, friendship, and family, making them feel deeply authentic.
Audiences responded with heartfelt reviews, helping these films achieve record-breaking success at the box office. This renaissance unfolded during a time of financial uncertainty in the Malayalam film industry. The Kerala Film Producers' Association had recently released a list of films that succeeded and flopped in 2024, causing concern among fans and sparking opposition from industry insiders over the public disclosure of such confidential data.
The report also highlighted that films like Manjummel Boys, The Goat Life, Aavesham, Premalu, and ARM had crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the box office. Let's take a closer look at the thematic brilliance of the films that struck a chord with fans—and achieved box office glory without lavish promotions.
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'Thudarum'
Mohanlal
's 'Thudarum', which hit theatres on April 25 , 2024, became one of the most celebrated films of the year. The film crossed Rs 200 crore globally, including over Rs 100 crore from Indian theatres alone—achieved within just 17 days of its release. It continues to attract family audiences across Kerala, especially the elderly, creating a rare theatrical phenomenon.
Discussions surrounding 'Thudarum' often centred on Mohanlal's vintage look and his return as a complete actor, evoking nostalgia among long-time fans. But the film also delved into themes of family bonding and togetherness, drawing inspiration from a tragic real-life incident—an honour killing that occurred in Kerala in 2018.
Kevin Joseph was reportedly attacked and killed by his girlfriend Neenu's brother. A gang led by her brother kidnapped Kevin and his friend, ultimately murdering him. Kevin had reportedly initiated legal proceedings to marry Neenu, which provoked her family's wrath.
In an interview with Manorama Online, 'Thudarum' actress Aarsha Baiju revealed that director
Tharun Moorthy
had referenced Kevin and Neenu's story while narrating the script. In the film, Aarsha's character Mary loses her boyfriend—murdered by her father, police officer George Mathan (played by
Prakash Varma
). The emotional impact of this honour killing deeply moved audiences and enhanced the film's resonance.
Filmmaker Jithin Raj recently told ETimes, 'If we take Rekhachithram and Thudarum as examples, they are entirely different. Thudarum benefited from Mohanlal's star power, while Rekhachithram intrigued viewers with its alternative history concept. I don't have a perfect definition for it, but the film is magical. Today, a film's quality determines its fate. Commercial success must at least ensure that the producer doesn't incur a loss. Only then can we call it a true success.'
'Manjummel Boys'
Directed by Chidambaram, 'Manjummel Boys' is based on a true event from 2006 involving a group of friends from Kerala. During a trip to the Guna Caves in Kodaikanal—popularised by the Tamil film Gunaa—one of the friends, Subhash, accidentally fell into a dangerously deep pit within the caves, infamously known as 'Devil's Kitchen' due to their narrow, treacherous openings.
Against all odds, Subhash's friends launched a spontaneous and daring rescue mission, navigating the perilous terrain without professional help. Their relentless efforts ultimately saved Subhash's life—marking one of the few successful rescues from the cave. The film transforms this emotionally charged episode into a cinematic celebration of friendship, bravery, and the human will to survive.
Made on a relatively modest budget of around Rs 20 crore, Manjummel Boys turned out to be a colossal success. According to Sacnilk, it grossed approximately Rs 241 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films ever. In India alone, it earned about Rs 142.08 crore, with an additional Rs 73.4 crore from overseas markets.
The film was especially well-received in Tamil Nadu, where it became the highest-grossing Malayalam film in the state's history, earning around Rs 58.5 crore. Strong word-of-mouth, emotionally resonant storytelling, and the grounded portrayal of a true incident drove its box office run.
Director Chidambaram also leveraged the emotional legacy of 'Gunaa', using the classic song 'Kanmani Anbodu' to promote the film. This nostalgic connection helped draw huge crowds to theatres, promising an emotionally gripping narrative.
'Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life'
Blessy's Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life is a stirring adaptation of the bestselling Malayalam novel by Benyamin. The film draws its emotional core from the real-life story of Najeeb Muhammed, a Malayali migrant worker who was trapped in slavery in the deserts of Saudi Arabia during the 1990s. Deceived by the promise of a better job, Najeeb was instead forced to live in near-isolation, herding goats and camels under harsh, inhumane conditions, with little access to food, water, or human contact. His harrowing journey of survival and eventual escape forms the backbone of this haunting and inspiring narrative.
Prithviraj Sukumaran
delivers a physically and emotionally demanding performance as Najeeb, undergoing extreme physical transformations and filming in real desert locations to authentically portray the brutality and loneliness of the experience. The film's haunting visuals, shot extensively in Jordan and Algeria, along with AR Rahman's evocative music, further amplify the emotional depth of the story. The real-life story of Najeeb, long familiar to Malayalam-speaking audiences since the global acclaim of Benyamin's novel, continues to resonate deeply and emotionally impact viewers.
The Goat Life has emerged as a massive commercial success. Made on a budget of approximately Rs 85 crore, the film grossed over Rs 157.62 crore worldwide within just a few weeks of its release, making it one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. It was particularly well-received in Kerala, the Middle East, and overseas markets such as the USA and Australia, where diaspora audiences strongly connected with its migrant narrative.
'Rekhachithram'
Directed by Jofin T Chacko, 'Rekhachithram' is a Malayalam mystery drama inspired by real-life experiences and unsolved mysteries within the film industry. Set during the production of the 1985 film '
Kathodu Kathoram
', the story follows the sudden disappearance of an aspiring actor. Though fictional, it reflects the hazy truths, hidden traumas, and long-buried secrets that often linger behind the scenes of the entertainment world.
Vinothraj on Koozhangal winning at IFFR
Blending societal memory, folklore, and plausible reality, the film crafts a suspenseful narrative exploring themes of loss, forgotten history, and the unsettling silence within creative spaces.
Released on January 9, 2025, Rekhachithram was a surprise box office success. Made on a budget of Rs 6–9 crore, it grossed over Rs 56.75 crore globally—Rs 31.25 crore from Indian theatres and Rs 25.4 crore from overseas.
Actor Asif Ali later expressed his gratitude for the film's performance, noting that it was the only commercially successful Malayalam film released that month, even outperforming Mammootty's highly anticipated Dominic and the Ladies' Purse.
Speaking at a public event, Asif shared, 'When they say Rekhachithram was the only hit among January 2025 releases, it's a dream come true. Even during my low phase, Ramu John and my favourite Jofin (the director) believed in me. Thank you for trusting me.'
He added, 'This is the most successful film of my career. The confidence Rekhachithram has given me is immense.' Visibly emotional, he credited the cast and crew for their hard work and support.
The film's nostalgic theme, linked to Mammootty's 1985 classic 'Kathodu Kathoram', resonated with audiences, while its tight storytelling and suspenseful direction helped it succeed—especially in overseas markets. Its box office performance further proved the growing global appeal of Malayalam cinema.
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