'Kumbalangi Nights' to 'Moothon': Top FIVE Malayalam hits of 2019

Mollywood audience is demanding better content, rather than the 'star cast' and 2019 saw some impressive onscreen performances. With increase in number of screens Mollywood films are reaching a larger audience. Fresh content, novel ideas and different narratives impressed the audience. With over 150 releases in Mollywood this year, here are our top five Mollywood films of the year.

Madhu C Narayanan directed 'Kumbalangi Nights' was a complex family of four brothers living in a 'house-like structure' in Kumbalangi, leading an unpolished life. The eldest one Saji (Soubin Shahir) has no clue about the future, Bobby (Shane Nigam) considers doing labour is a shame, Bonny (Sreenath Bhasi) is fed up by the savage life of his brothers and the youngest Franky (Mathew) hopes for a better life/ They are not just the protagonists of the movie but a representation of the common man. The progressive screenplay by Syam Pushkaran showcased deep-rooted emotions and family bonds. The movie also featured Shammi (Fahadh Faasil) who calls himself as 'complete man' and turns out to be the opposite.

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Ashraf Hamza directorial 'Thamaasha' was all about perspectives as it showcases Malayalam professor Srinivasan (Vinay Forrt) who is embarrassed about his baldness and Chinnu (Chandini), who is on the heavier side but never stops digging into her favourite cuisine. Srinivasan's inferiority complex and his efforts to find a match forms the crux of the film. The movie progresses as Chinnu meets Srinivasan. The filmmaker has aptly pointed out how baldness or being a plus-size becomes an embarrassing thing. The movie also discussed the emotional trauma of the recipients of hate mail.

Cinema is often referred to as a mirror of the society and Aashiq Abu’s 'Virus' was just that. The thriller showcases the fear and survival instinct of the people of Kerala during the Nipah virus outbreak in 2018. Keeping the facts intact, the team worked on weaving a complex screenplay. The movie was made on real heroes like nurse Lini, who sacrificed her life serving the victims, the hospital personnel and the Health Minister of Kerala among others. During the pre-production of the movie Abu insisted that all unsung heroes should be mentioned and hence he assembled a huge star cast to give the real heroes a face. Giving the right space and screen time to the characters, Abu managed to shed away the stardom of his actors.

Lijo Jose Pellissery directorial 'Jallikattu' questioned the difference between humans and animals. A buffalo escapes from a slaughterhouse and runs amok forms the crux of the movie. Distressed by the loss the buffalo makes during its rampage, villagers decide to hunt him down. What initially began as an initiative to protect crops, soon turned into a wild chase.

Geetu Mohandas directed 'Moothon' revolved around 10-year old Mulla (Sanjana Dipu), who is in search of his elder brother who is believed to be living in Mumbai. The search ends in the busy lane of Kamathipura. The movie gave the audience a novel visual experience. Geetu's complex screenplay, Rajeev Ravi's expert cinematography and Nivin Pauly's performance as Bhai left fans impressed.