Tue Dec 23 15:10:00 UTC 2025: Malayalam Cinema Rides Rollercoaster Year to Record Heights in 2025

Kochi, India – Malayalam cinema (Mollywood) experienced a turbulent yet ultimately triumphant year in 2025. Despite a reduced output of fewer than 200 films, the industry delivered a string of blockbusters that redefined its potential, moving from smaller, art-house fare to high-budget, high-profit productions.

The year was marked by several groundbreaking films:

  • ‘Lokah’: Arun Dominic’s ‘Lokah,’ a female superhero film starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, shattered box office records, amassing over ₹300 crore worldwide. The film’s success was driven by its unique premise, strong visual effects, and Kalyani Priyadarshan’s central role.

  • ‘Empuraan’: Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ‘Empuraan,’ starring Mohanlal, became the most expensive Malayalam film ever made with a budget of ₹170 crore. It earned ₹266 crore worldwide, though it received mixed reviews and sparked political controversy.

  • ‘Thudarum’: ‘Thudarum’ reunited Mohanlal and Shobana for a hit emotional drama directed by Tharun Moorthy, grossing ₹230 crore worldwide and hailed as a comeback for Mohanlal.

  • ‘Rekhachitram’: This experimental film made history by using AI to recreate a younger version of Mammootty, interweaving its narrative with the classic Malayalam film ‘Kathodu Kathoram’. It grossed ₹50 crore worldwide.

  • ‘Eko’: Dinjith Ajayan’s ‘Eko,’ set in lush forests, impressed audiences with its innovative concept and compelling screenplay, earning ₹50 crore.

  • ‘Narayaneente Moonamakkal’: Despite a poor theatrical performance, this film sparked significant debate after its OTT release due to its controversial portrayal of a romantic relationship between cousins.

  • ‘Padakkalam’: This fantasy-comedy blend connected black magic to college life, becoming a hit among students and fantasy enthusiasts, earning ₹18.7 crore worldwide.

  • ‘Feminichi Fathima’: The movie hit theatres in October and then premiered in Manorama Max in December. The film’s lead, Shamla Hamza, took home the Kerala State Award for Best Actress. With its focus on a young wife’s battle against patriarchy, the film resonated deeply with audiences and critics.

  • ‘Dies Irae’: Pranav Mohanlal made his horror debut in ‘Dies Irae’. Critics and fans of Rahul’s previous works gave the movie a thumbs down for its plot and excessive reliance on jump scares.

  • ‘Thalavara’: Akhil Anilkumar’s ‘Thalavara,’ earned only Rs 2 crore at the box office, word of mouth after release made it a primary conversation starter and brought attention to vitiligo, starring Arjun Ashokan as a character struggling with the condition.

2025 was a year of bold experiments and significant financial success for Mollywood, signaling a new era for the industry.

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