The first half of 2025 proved a mixed period for Malayalam cinema, with notable successes and significant disappointments marking its journey.
The first six months of 2025 demonstrated a period of fluctuating fortunes for Malayalam cinema. While 2024 was a year of consistent triumphs in the industry, the recent period has been marked by both high-quality productions and underwhelming failures, indicating that success in the film industry is never guaranteed. Numerous factors contribute to the rising and falling fortunes of an industry, and Malayalam cinema is no exception.
The year started with high expectations following the successes of 2024, but it got off to a slow start with the release of “Identity,” an action thriller by directors Akhil Paul and Anas Khan, which failed to impress audiences due to its lackluster writing and weak performances from stars Tovino Thomas and Trisha Krishnan. Smaller releases like “Communist Pacha Adhava Appa” and “ID: The Fake” made little impact, while the alternate-history thriller “Rekhachithram,” directed by Jofin T Chacko and starring Asif Ali, quickly became a notable success.
In contrast, technical prowess occasionally shined through, as seen in “Rekhachithram,” where innovative use of AI technology helped overcome budget constraints. Meanwhile, high-budget films struggled with issues such as poorly executed visual effects, evident in releases like “The Greatest of All Time” starring Thalapathy Vijay, Kamal Haasan’s “Indian 2,” and Mohanlal’s “Barroz.” These issues contrasted sharply with the disciplined craftsmanship that allowed directors like Jofin T Chacko to succeed.
The year continued unevenly as stalwarts of Malayalam cinema experienced fluctuating success. Mammootty, following a run of successes, faced a downturn with “Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse,” directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. On the other hand, Mohanlal reversed his string of disappointing releases with “L2: Empuraan” and “Thudarum,” generating more favorable outcomes at the box office.
February mirrored the unevenness of the year, failing to replicate the golden run of February 2024, and instead delivering a lackluster slate of releases including “Painkili,” “Bromance,” and “Daveed,” which struggled to connect with audiences. Kunchacko Boban and Priyamani’s “Officer on Duty” found some success despite mixed critical reception.
March traditionally sees fewer releases due to academic exams and Ramadan, but “L2: Empuraan” emerged as a blockbuster despite initial critical feedback regarding its script and controversial themes. The film eventually became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
April was another mixed month, with inconsistent performance from films such as Mammootty’s “Bazooka” and Basil Joseph’s “Maranamass,” the latter overshadowed by Khalid Rahman’s sports comedy “Alappuzha Gymkhana.” Meanwhile, May saw a lineup that included forgettable titles like “Mr & Mrs Bachelor” and “Azadi.” The dance drama “Moonwalk,” with its fresh approach, stood out among the releases, echoing broader appeals for Bollywood to reassess its formulaic approaches.
The final month of the half-year, June, saw another wave of underperforming films such as “Written & Directed by God” and “Abhyanthara Kuttavali.” However, the police procedural drama “Ronth,” directed by Shahi Kabir, garnered praise for its incisive storytelling and impressive performances, underscoring the industry’s capability for high-quality productions.
As Malayalam cinema moves forward into the latter half of the year, the industry must navigate its precarious position with strategic planning in both film production and distribution. While the first half of the year has highlighted some remarkable successes, it also reinforced the need for improved planning and promotional strategies to ensure more stable performance moving forward, according to Indian Express.