One of the sectors that have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic has been the film industry. The various language film industries have come a long way in recovering from the massive impact of the pandemic. After days and nights of crises and uncertainties, 2022 was an active year for theaters. Estimates indicate that 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 a hit this year. Malayalam also saw the success of small films this year. With only days left to ring in the new year, let’s get to know some of the best Malayalam movies of 2022.
‘Hridayam’ brought by Pranav Mohanlal
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 the producer of Hridayath had announced that Pranav will return to cinema in 2023.
Mammootty said Champiko!
After 14 years, Mammootty and Amal Neerad teamed up for Bhishma Parvam, a huge success. The movie hit the theaters on March 3. When Amal and Mammootty came together 14 years following 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 made more than one film financially successful in Malayalam following the Covid era. The post-Pandemic success brought to active theaters was Djo Jose Anthony’s legal thriller Janaganamana and Shaji Kailas’s mass masala Katuva. Janganamana, which 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 following a gap of eight years. The film, which hit the theaters on July 7, succeeded in delivering whatever it promised. The makers also informed that Kasariya film has entered the 50 crore club both inside and outside Kerala.
After Lucifer, Mohanlal and Prithviraj teamed up for Bro Daddy. The film received a good response but might not do well at the box office. Alphonse Putra’s Gold 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 is continuing to run, garnering praise from the audience.
Chakochan’s ‘Nna Than Case Kodu’
‘Nna Than Case Kod’ is Kunchacko Boban’s film, who has done many different roles in recent times and shed the chocolate hero parivesh. After the poster controversy, the film gained attention from the announcement of the film and became a huge success in the theaters. Still the scenes and dialogues from the movie are viral on social media. After films like Android Kunjappan and Kanakam Kamina Kalaham, Ratheesh Balakrishnan’s Udhuwal directed ‘Nna Than Kes Kod’.
Mammootty as ‘Luke Anthony’
Roshaak is a film directed by Nizam Basheer starring Mammootty. The movie, which created a lot of curiosity among 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 houseful shows in the first weekend and made a huge inroad in the opening collection as well. 9.75 crore from Kerala alone in the first weekend. Recently, Mammootty also hosted the success of the film.
Mammootty plays Luke Anthony, a mysterious character in the film. It is a type of character that Mammootty has not played before in Papal and Edupil. Bindu Panicker, Sharafuddin, Kottayam Naseer, Jagadish etc. are noted for their performances in the film. Directed by Nizam Basheer following the film 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 story of revenge, are still not over.
Basil’s ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hai’
‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hai’ is a film that has been released recently and won the praises of the audience and critics alike. The socially important topic 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 till November.
Mohanlal’s ‘Twelfth Man’
After Drishyam 2, Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal’s Twelfth Man became an unmitigated 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 film. 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 title 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 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 Vineeth Srinivasan’s paavathan image, 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 was, as the name suggests, one action sequence following another. Even following 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 states and foreign markets on August 12. Tallumala had a huge global release in US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, GCC, Europe. Kalyani Priyadarshan was the heroine. The film is written by Muhsin Parari 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.
LJP’s Mammootty film
Nankakal Neerath Mayakam is the Mammootty film that has been noticed since the time of its announcement. The film was directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, one of the leading young directors in Malayalam cinema. The much awaited film was screened at this year’s IFFK. People’s expectations regarding LJP and Mammootty’s first film together were high. The audience response is that those expectations were not in vain. The story of the film, where Mammootty plays James, the owner of a theater troupe, is the same as Lijo’s. The screenplay is 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.
Tarun Murthy’s ‘Saudi Vellka’
‘Saudi Vellakka’ is the film directed by Tarun Murthy following the film Operation Jawa. The audience was very excited and hopeful when Tarun Murthy returned with a hit. Later on, the audience was seen saying that they did not lose that hope. The theme of the film is an interesting and intriguing case and the journey behind it that 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 are among others in strong and important roles.
And Mammootty shocked the Malayalees once more with Pushu. Directed by Ratina. The film, Mammootty’s first collaboration with a female director, won critical acclaim. Suresh Gopi’s Papan, 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 might make gains at the theaters this year. However, foreign language films like KGF 2, Ponniyin Selvan 1, Vikram, Kantara and Avatar 2 received great success and acclaim in Kerala. 2022 is still going to be great movies. They can be filled out by the audience.
Last Updated Dec 24, 2022, 8:34 PM IST
