2024 was a year of bold experimentation in Malayalam cinema, with filmmakers venturing into uncharted territories and pushing creative boundaries and conventional storytelling. Here are some of the notable experimentations of Malayalam cinema:
Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life): A survival drama based on Benyamin's novel of the same name, follows the journey of Najib, an Indian migrant worker trapped as a goat herder in the Saudi Arabian desert. This survival drama was directed by Blessy and Prithviraj Sukumaran portrayed Najib on screen. The actor underwent a massive physical transformation and shed over 30 kilos for the role.
Bramayugam: A period horror and thriller film that delves into the life of Thevan, a folk singer of the Paanan caste. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, the film made into everyone’s watchlist for its black-and-white picturisation and Mammotty’s brilliant portrayal of Chathan. Arjun Ashokan, Siddharth Barathan and Manikandan played key roles in the film.
Aavesham: An action comedy that keeps you on the edge of your seat, exploring themes of friendship and loyalty. The film was Jithu Madhavan’s second directorial after the blockbuster film Romancham. Fahadh Faasil earned fans for his portrayal of gangster Ranga Annan in the film.
Gaganachari: A sci-fi mockumentary set in a dystopian future where three bachelors live in an apocalypse bunker. It is a comedy drama, directed by Arun Chand and starring Anarkali Marikar, Gokul Suresh, Ganesh Kumar and Aju Varghese.
Kishkindha Kaandam: Strange events unfold in a monkey-inhabited village, prompting a newlywed pair and forest officials to embark on a mission to uncover the root cause of the peculiar disturbances. It is a mystery thriller directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, starring Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali and Vijayaraghavan in key roles.
Malaikottai Vaaliban: Complete actor Mohanlal plays the title role in the film which tells the story of Vaaliban’s journey, an undisputed warrior. Directed by ace director Lijo Jose Pellissery, the film was noticed for its folklore-like treatment, grand sets and cinematography.
Marco: Perhaps the most violent film ever made in India, it tells the story of gangster Marco and the powerful Adat family, who dominate Kerala’s gold mafia. This action thriller directed by Haneef Adeni is a character sequel to his earlier film Mikhael. Unni Mukundan plays Marco in the film. Siddique, Jagadish and Abhimanyu Shammi Thilakan play key roles in the film.
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Sookshmadarshini: The girl version of the Malayalam classic ‘In Harihar Nagar’, that’s what director MC Jithin said while talking about the film in an interview. Manuel, played by Basil Joseph, returns with his mother to their former home in a middle-class neighbourhood. Suspicious of his intentions, Priyadarshini, played by Nazriya, and her friends begin gathering clues doubting he is hiding something sinister.
Rifle Club: This action thriller with an ensemble cast is being celebrated by moviegoers for staying true to the genre. Set in a historic rifle club, its members face a notorious arms dealer, who seeks to avenge the death of his son. Skilled hunters fight to survive and protect their legacy. Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap plays the role of arms dealer in the film. Director Aashiq Abu is also the co-producer and cinematographer of the film.
