One of the sectors that has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic is the film industry. The different language film industries have come a long way to recover from the huge impact of the pandemic. After days and nights of crises and uncertainty, 2022 was a busy year for theatres. According to estimates, around 150 films were released in Malayalam. Although only a handful of films have performed well at the box office, they have also reached the audience. Along with the leading actors, the young stars are also undoubtedly popular this year. Malayalam also saw the success of small films this year. With just days left in the new year, let’s get to know some of the best Malayalam movies of 2022.
‘Hridayam’ brought by Pranav Mohanlal
The Pranav Mohanlal starrer Hridaya was the film that brought success in Malayalam cinema earlier this year. Starring Pranav Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Darshana Rajendran in the lead roles, Hridiya grossed around Rs 50 crore at the worldwide box office. The film also won two Kerala State Film Awards. Directed by Vineeth Srinivasan, the film created records in terms of songs. Malayalees are now eager to know what will be Pranav’s next film, which gave him the biggest hit of the year, Hridda. Earlier, Vineeth Srinivasan and producer Hridayath had announced that Pranav would return to cinema in 2023.
Mammootty said Champiko!
After 14 years, Mammootty and Amal Neerad teamed up with Bhishma Parvam, a blockbuster hit. The film hit the theaters on March 3. When Amal and Mammootty came together 14 years after the release of Big B, the audience’s expectations did not go wrong. Mammootty played the role of Michael Appan and the film also shone at the box office. According to reports, Bhishma Parvam has earned around Rs 115 crores
Prithviraj took over the box office
Prithviraj Sukumar was an actor who did more than one financially successful film in Malayalam after the Covid era. The post-Pandemic hit that made it to operational theaters was Djo Jose Anthony’s legal thriller Janaganamana, and Shaji Kailas’ masala Katuva. Janganamana, released on April 28, was spectacular with its seriousness and technical excellence. The film did well at the box office in centers outside Kerala as well and entered the 50 crore club.
Tiger was Shaji Kailash’s comeback film after a gap of eight years. The film, which hit the theaters on July 7, managed to deliver whatever it promised. The makers also informed that Kasariya movie has entered the 50 crore club inside and outside Kerala.
After Lucifer, Mohanlal and Prithviraj teamed up for Bro Daddy. The film got a good response but could not do well at the box office. Aur Alphonse Putra and Theerp also hit the big screen with Prithvi. But these did not perform well. Prithviraj’s latest release is Kappa. After Tiger, the film starring Prithviraj and Shaji Kailas continues to run, garnering praise from the audience.
‘Nna Than Case Kodu’ by Chakochan
‘Nna Than Case Kod’ is the film of Kunchacko Boban, who has done many different roles recently and cast the hero parivesh chocolate. After the poster controversy, the film gained attention from the release of the film and became a huge success in the theatres. However, the scenes and dialogues of the film are viral on social media. After films like Android Kunjappan and Kanakam Kamina Kalaham, Udhuwal Ratheesh Balakrishnan directed ‘Nna Than Kes Kod’.
Mammootty as ‘Luke Anthony’
Roshaak is a film directed by Nizam Basheer starring Mammootty. The film, which created a lot of curiosity among the moviegoers right from the title look poster, got the same level of word of mouth publicity even when it hit the theaters. The film celebrated domestic shows during the first weekend and has made huge progress in the opening collection as well. 9.75 crore from Kerala alone in the first weekend. Recently, Mammootty also maintained the success of the film.
Mammootty plays the role of Luke Anthony, a mysterious character in the film. It is a type of character that Mammootty has not played before in Pope and Edupil. Bindu Panicker, Sharafuddin, Kottayam Naseer, Jagadish etc. are notable for their performances in the film. Directed by Nizam Basheer after the movie Ketyollan Anrei Malakha, the screenplay is written by Sameer Abdul. Roshak was also the first film released by Mammootty’s company. The ripples of the film, which told a never before seen revenge story, are not over yet.
Basil ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hai’
‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hai’ is a recently released film which has won the praise of the audience and the critics alike. The socially important subject was wrapped in humor and the film was accepted by the Malayalees as a whole. Directed by Vipin Das, Darshan scored as Jaya while Basil played the role of Rajesh. It hit the theaters on October 28. The film hit the theaters without any claims and collected more than 40 crore rupees. This is the figure up to November.
Mohanlal’s ‘Twelfth Man’
After Drishyam 2, Mohanlal’s Jeethu Joseph and Twelfth Man became an unmistakable success. The film was released on May 20 through Hotstar. Mukundan, Saiju Kurup, Anu Mohan, Chanthunath, Rahul Madhav, Aditi Ravi, Anushree, Priyanka Nair, Anu Sithara, Leona Lishoy and Sivada were also present in the film. Twelfth Man was a mystery thriller. It was also the first Mohanlal film to be directed by Jeethu Joseph other than his own script.
Mukundan Unni Associates by Vineeth Srinivasan
Mukundan Unni Associates is a film directed by debutant Abhinav Sundar Nayak starring Vineeth Srinivasan in the lead role. Vineeth plays the role of Mukundan Unni, an energetic lawyer. The script of the film has been prepared by Vimal Gopalakrishnan along with the director. The film, which is finally being handled by Vishwajith, also stars Suraj Venjaramood, Arsha Chandini Baiju, Sudhi Kopa, Tanvi Ram, George Kora, Manikanthan Pattambi, Sudheesh, Altaf Salim, Noble Babu Thomas, Biju Sopanam, Rhea Saira and Vijayan Karanthur. The film, which changed the image of Vineeth Srinivasan’s paavathan, was praised by the audience and critics alike.
‘Tallumala’ by Tovino
Tovino Thomas starrer Thallumala is one of the winning films of 2022. Directed by Khalid Rahman, the film, as the name suggests, was one action sequence after another. Even after the theatrical success, the film was released on Netflix as an OTT release and created a lot of discussion on social media. The film hit the theaters on August 12 and collected 71.36 crores from the theatres. Along with Kerala, the film was released in other foreign states and markets on August 12. Tallumala had a massive global release in US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, GCC, Europe. Kalyani Priyadarshan was the heroine. The film was written by Muhsin Pari and Ashraf Hamza. Produced by Ashiq Usman under the banner of Ashiq Usman Productions. Shine Tom Chacko, Lukman, Chemban Vinod Jose, Johnny Anthony, Austin and Asim Jamal are the other main characters.
Mammootty LJP movie
Nankakal Neerath Mayakam is the Mammootty movie that has been noticed since the time of its announcement. The film was directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, one of the leading young directors of Malayalam cinema. The much awaited film was screened at this year’s IFFK. People’s expectations about LJP and Mammootty’s first film together were high. The response of the audience is that those expectations were not in vain. The story of the film, where Mammootty plays the role of James, the owner of a theater company, is the same as that of Lijo. The screenplay was written by S Harish. Cinematography by Theni Eshwar. Lijo has made the film with a different approach from the previous films. Along with Ashokan, Rajesh Sharma, Vipin Atlee and the late Poo Ramu, many newcomers have played other characters in the film. Another milestone in Mammootty’s career is Naankar Naret Mayakam.
‘Saudi Vellka’ by Tarun Murthy
‘Saudi Vellakka’ is the film directed by Tarun Murthy after the film Operation Jawa. The audience was very excited and hopeful when Tarun Murthy came back with a hit. Later, the audience was seen saying that they did not lose that hope. The theme of the film is an interesting and interesting case and the journey behind it is what arouses the curiosity of many people. Tarun Murthy himself has written and directed the film. Binu Pappu who played ASI Joy in Operation Jawa and Lukman Awaran who played Vinayadas in a notable role in Saudi Vellaka. Apart from them Siddharth Siva, Sujith Shankar, Gokulan, Rhea Saira, Dhanya and Ananya among others are in strong and important roles.
And Mammootty shocked the Malayalees again with Pushu. Directed by Ratina. The film, Mammootty’s first collaboration with a female director, won critical acclaim. Papan Suresh Gopi, Nikhila Vimal, Nazlin and Mathru Thomas in the lead roles Jo and Jo can also be included in the list of best movies. Anaswara Rajan starrer Super Sharanya, Basil Joseph’s Paltoo Janwar, Jeethu Joseph’s Kooman Unni Mukundan’s Shafiq’s Joy are also excellent films.
Meanwhile, not even one of Mohanlal and Manjuwariyar’s films could make earnings at the theaters this year. However, foreign language films like KGF 2, Ponniyin Selvan 1, Vikram, Kantara and Avatar 2 achieved great success and acclaim in Kerala. 2022 is still great movies. The audience can fill them in.
Last Updated December 24, 2022, 8:34 PM IST
