Malayalam movies have always been a hallmark of great cinema. Directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Bharathan, I.V. Sasi, and Padmarajan among others have created great work and have been a source of inspiration to the current crop of artists.
In recent years, the industry has gone through a revolution with many new filmmakers and performers coming together to tell some magnificent stories. Some of the great Malayalam movies of the 2000s which you should also catch are Joji, Annayaum Rasoolum, Maheshinte Prathikaram, Thattthin Maraythu, Bangalore Days, Ee.Ma.Yau, Amen, Anwar, Memories.
If you are a follower of Malayalam cinema, here is a list of upcoming Malayalam movies to watch in 2021 and you should be excited about-
Aadujeevitham
The survival drama film Aadujeevitham (translation- Goat Life) is written and directed by Blessy. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as Najeeb, an Indian immigrant worker in Saudi Arabia. The movie is based on Benyamin’s award-wining novel of the same name- and was inspired by real events. The movie also stars Amala Paul, Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Aparna Balamurali.
The movie promises to be exciting as it will showcase the plight of the immigrant Malayali- a recurrent theme in other movies from this past decade, like Fahadh Faasil’s Diamond Necklace (2012), Mammooty-starrer Pathemari (2015), and Nivin Pauly-starrer Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016), etc. Malayalam movie cinephiles are also invested in the project as it reunites Oscar-award winners Resul Pookutty and A.R. Rahman. Rahman is returning to the Malayalam film industry after 25 years- his last outing was Mohanlal’s Yodhha.
Kurup
Kurup is based upon one of the most famous criminal cases in Kerala. Starring Dulquer Salmaan as Sukumara Kurup, a fugitive who has been on the run since 1984, after he murdered Chacko, his look-alike as part of insurance fraud. He is still wanted by the Kerala State Police Department and the Interpol- even though he must be in his seventies by now.
Directed by Srinath Rajendran, the movie stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Indrajith Sukumaran, Shine Tom Chacko, Sunny Wayne, and Bharath Niwas in supporting roles. The film, as well as its dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada, will be released on theatres on May 28, 2021.
Kuruthi
Kuruthi (lit. Ritual slaughter) is an upcoming Malayalam socio-political thriller film directed by Manu Warrier and written by Anish Pallyal. Murali Gopy, Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko, and Srindaa play supporting roles alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The trailer was released on 3rd April, 2021. Plot details haven’t been released yet, but reportedly, the movie centers around the idea of hate and revenge. The trailer promises plenty of action and suspense in the story.
The movie has already completed production and is awaiting release in theatres after the Covid situation in India becomes better.
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Thuramukham
Nivin Pauly is back with the historical drama Thuramukham (transl. Harbour), all set to release in July, 2021. The movie features an ensemble cast with Pauly being joined by Poornima Indrajith, Indrajith Sukumaran, Arjun Ashokan, Nimisha Sajayan, Sudev Nair, Manikandan R. Achari, and Darshana Rajendran among others.
The plot focuses on the workers’ struggle against the Chappa System- metal tokens (chappa) were thrown into crowds of workers who had to fight for them and only those with the tokens were given work. This practice was prevalent at the famous Mattancherry Harbour in Kochi during the 1940s and 50s.
This upcoming Malayalam movie is directed by Rajeev Ravi, famous for his critically-acclaimed works with some famous names- Annayam Rasoolum (Fahadh Faasil), Kammatti Paadam (Dulquer Salmaan), among others.
Minnal Murali
Directed by Basil Joseph, Minnal Murali is an upcoming superhero movie starring Tovino Thomas in the lead role. It also stars Aju Varghese, Harisree Ashokan, Guru Somasundaram and Bijukuttan in supporting roles.
Like Basil Joseph’s earlier movies, Godha and Kunjiramayanam, this too will be filled with humor and wonder, according to reports. The trailer dropped on Onam day 2020, and was shared by Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan and Extraction-director Sam Hargrave.
It is expecting release in August, but this has not been confirmed yet.
Jana Gana Mana
In our list of upcoming Malayalam movies to watch, Jana Gana Mana also features. Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead roles, Jana Gana Mana is a political thriller movie directed by Dijo Jose Anthony. Written by Sharis Mohammed, the film is produced by Supriya Menon under the banner of Prithviraj Productions.
Plot details are yet to be revealed, and the trailer, which released on Republic Day doesn’t reveal much. It did however generate quite a buzz and has since been viewed almost 3.9 million times. The movie also stars Mamta Mohandas, Shammi Thilakan, and Sri Divya.
