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49-553: Sangeeth Sivan (1959 – 8 May 2024) was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked in Malayalam and Hindi film industries . He is best known for directing Vyooham (1990), Yodha (1992) and Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005) and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013). Sivan started his career when Basu Bhattacharya brought him on board as the executive producer of his son's directorial debut Raakh , starring Aamir Khan and Pankaj Kapur . He soon made his directorial debut with

98-478: A neorealistic film, drew inspiration from Italian neorealism . Padayottam (1982) is India's first indigenously produced 70 mm film , while My Dear Kuttichathan (1984) is India's first 3D film. O' Faby (1993) is India's first Live action / animation hybrid film. Amma Ariyan (1986) is the first film made in India with money collected from the public. It was produced by Odessa Collective, founded by

147-830: A Certificate of Merit at the Chicago International Film Festival , and a gold medal at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Cinematography. Swaham (1994) won the Bronze Rosa Camuna at the Bergamo Film Meeting in Italy . Malayalam cinema has also produced India's first 3D film , My Dear Kuttichathan (1984). The first CinemaScope film produced in Malayalam was Thacholi Ambu (1978). Active Malayalam film production did not take place until

196-612: A blockbuster hit Narasimham starring Mohanlal . In 2001 came the world's first film with only one actor in the cast, The Guard . Slapstick comedy was the predominant theme of the films of this era. C.I.D. Moosa (2003) by Johny Antony , Meesa Madhavan (2002) by Lal Jose and Kunjikoonan (2002) directed by Sasi Shanker are examples. Sequels to a number of successful films were made. Some movies were examples of exemplary film making, such as Meghamalhar , Madhuranombarakattu , Nandanam , Perumazhakkalam , and Kaazhcha . In 2008, Malayalam movie artists came together in

245-422: A distinct style of Malayalam music. Kamukara Purushotaman, Mehboob, Kozhikode Abdul Kader , AM Raja, P. B. Sreenivas , K. P. Udayabhanu , Santha P. Nair , P. Leela , S. Janaki , P. Susheela , B. Vasantha, Renuka, and Jikki were the most prominent singers of the 1950s. The drama artist and school teacher Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai lent many of his skills to the cinema in this period. Ramu Kariat , one of

294-679: A mid the COVID-19 lockdown, Sufiyum Sujatayum , starring Jayasurya and Aditi Rao Hydari , has become the first Malayalam film to be released on the Amazon Prime Video ( OTT ) platform as theatres remain shut in Kerala due to the pandemic. In 2021, Drishyam 2 , Nayattu , Kala , Joji , The Great Indian Kitchen and Malik made their list in the highest rated 2021 movies in Imdb . Malayalam Cinema's first ever original superhero Minnal Murali

343-452: A reason. In 2019, Lucifer became the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time. Lucifer became the highest grossing Indian film in Dubai. The film collected a final gross of 2000 million at the box office. In November 2020, Lijo Jose Pellissery 's film Jallikattu was selected as India's submission for Oscar for best foreign language film making as third Malayalam film as entry. In 2020

392-660: A series of comedy films produced between the late 1980s and late 1990s made actors like Jagadish , Siddique , Mukesh , Sreenivasan and Jayaram became very popular for their comedy roles. This series of comedy films begun in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with comedy films by Sathyan Anthikad and Siddique-Lal , like Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu , Mazhavilkavadi , Ramji Rao Speaking , Thalayana Manthram , In Harihar Nagar , and Godfather , and some of them went on to be remade by other directors in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and other languages. The success of In Harihar Nagar led to

441-414: A tool to revitalise society. A noted director, Aravindan, was famous in Kerala as a cartoonist before he started making films. His important movies include Kanchana Sita (1977), Thampu (1978), Kummatty (1979), Chidambaram (1985), Oridathu (1986), and Vasthuhara (1990). The 1970s also saw the emergence of the notable director P. G. Viswambharan with his debut film Ozhukinethire and

490-491: Is attributed to wide critical acclaim, themes that resonated with the audience and tapping into other state markets. Malayalam independent cinema is a subsect of the Malayalam cinema which is not intended for commercial purposes. Major independent films are premiered through International film festival of Kerala . The films conveys key cultural and social messages in Kerala. Notable films are Family by Don Palathara , Chavittu by Rahman brothers Newspaper Boy (1955),

539-417: Is credited as the father of Malayalam cinema. Daniel founded the first film studio, The Travancore National Pictures Limited, in Kerala. A second film, Marthanda Varma , based on the novel by C. V. Raman Pillai , was produced by R. Sundar Raj Nadar in 1933. However, after only being shown for four days, the film prints were confiscated due to a legal battle over copyright. The first talkie in Malayalam

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588-464: Is the director of Veena Vaadanam , the first documentary film in India shot with the same movie capture medium. Villain (2017) is the first Indian film to be shot entirely in 8K resolution . Vazhiye (2022) is the first found footage film of Malayalam Cinema. 1999 Cannes Film Festival Belgian filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne won the Palme d'Or , the festival's top prize, for

637-592: The Academy Awards to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category in 2011. Christian Brothers (2011) was released worldwide with a total of 310 prints on 18 March; it went to 154 centres in Kerala, 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas, making it the widest release for a Malayalam film at that time. This record was later broken by Peruchazhi (2014), which released in 500 screens worldwide on 29 August. Drishyam (2013) became

686-717: The British Film Institute award. The year 1981 also saw the rise of actor Mammootty through the movie Sphodanam directed by P. G. Viswambharan . In the 1980s Padmarajan made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema, including masterpieces like Oridathoru Phayalvaan (1981), Koodevide (1983), Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam (1985), Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986), Thoovanathumbikal (1987), Moonnam Pakkam (1988), Innale (1989) and Season (1989). He wrote several short stories that were unique in content and presentation. His novels handled

735-413: The Malayalam language , which is widely spoken in the state of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands of india. Malayalam cinema includes the commercial film industry, sometimes known as Mollywood, as well as independent cinema made in Malayalam. The first Malayalam feature film was Vigathakumaran , a silent film directed and produced by J. C. Daniel . Production started in 1928, and it was released at

784-662: The National Film Awards , including 14 for Best Actor , 6 for Best Actress , 13 for Best Film , and 13 for Best Director . Malayalam cinema garnered international recognition, with Elippathayam (1982) winning the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival , and being named the Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute . Additionally, Marana Simhasanam won

833-465: The 1960s and became famous later. The 70s saw the emergence of a new wave of cinema in Malayalam. The growth of the film society movement in Kerala introduced the works of the French and Italian New Wave directors to the discerning Malayali film enthusiasts. Adoor Gopalakrishnan 's first film, Swayamvaram (1972), brought Malayalam cinema to the international film arena. In 1973 M. T. Vasudevan Nair , who

882-482: The 1970s were Mankada Ravi Varma for Swayamvaram (1972), P. S. Nivas for Mohiniyattam (1977), and Shaji N. Karun for Thampu (1979). John Abraham , K. R. Mohanan , K. G. George , and G. S. Panikkar were products of the Pune Film Institute who made significant contributions. During the late 1970s, some young artists started seeing Malayalam cinema as a medium of expression and thought of it as

931-464: The 1990s and 2000s and have introduced several new trends to the Malayalam industry. While the new generation's formats and styles are deeply influenced by global and Indian trends, their themes are firmly rooted in Malayali life and mindscapes. The new generation also helped the Malayalam film industry regain its past glory. Salim Ahamed 's Adaminte Makan Abu was chosen as India's official entry to

980-756: The Capitol Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on 23 October 1930. The first talkie in Malayalam was Balan (1938) directed by S. Nottani . During the 1920s, the Malayalam film industry was based in Thiruvananthapuram, although the film industry started to develop and flourish by the late 1940s. Later the industry shifted to Madras (now Chennai). By the late 1980s, the industry returned to Kerala, establishing Kochi as its hub with most production and post-production facilities located there. As of 2024, Malayalam cinema has earned numerous accolades at

1029-541: The Malayalm filim industry . P.J. Cherian introduced play-back singing in Malayalam cinema. The lyrics of the film written by G. Sankara Kurup became popular. Udaya Studios ' Vellinakshatram (1949) was the first movie with audio to be made completely in Kerala. Malayalam cinema has always taken its themes from relevant social issues and has been interwoven with material from literature , drama , and politics since its inception. One such film, Jeevitha Nouka (1951),

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1078-560: The United Kingdom to direct the comedy Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 along with the Deol family. Sivan died on 8 May 2024, at the age of 65 following a cardiac arrest He was directing Kapkapiii , the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Romancham at the time of his death. Malayalam film Malayalam cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in

1127-570: The darkest emotions and considered as classics. Most plots were nascent for that age literature. All works were so cinematic and can be easily visualised to the celluloid version. K. G. George released films including Yavanika and Adaminte Vaariyellu . This was the period during which script writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair started teaming up with director Hariharan to produce works like Panchagni , Nakhakshathangal , Aranyakam and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha . John Abraham 's films such as Amma Ariyaan addressed people's issues and raised

1176-407: The director John Abraham and friends. The money was raised by collecting donations and screening Charlie Chaplin 's film The Kid . Moonnamathoral (2006) is the first Indian film to be shot and distributed in digital format . Jalachhayam (2010) is the first Indian feature film shot entirely on a Camera phone and it was also an experimental film directed by Sathish Kalathil who

1225-496: The directors of Neelakuyil (along with P. Bhaskaran), went on to become a successful director in the 1960s and 1970s. P. Bhaskaran directed many acclaimed and hit films in the 1960s and 70s. The cameraman of Neelakkuyil , A. Vincent , also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s. Notable films of this decade include Odayil Ninnu , Bhargavi Nilayam (1964), Chemmeen (1965), Murappennu (1965) and Iruttinte Athmavu (1966). Malayalam cinema's first colour film

1274-473: The drama film Rosetta . The festival opened with The Barber of Siberia by Nikita Mikhalkov , and closed with An Ideal Husband by Oliver Parker . The following feature films competed for the Palme d'Or : The following films were selected for the competition of Un Certain Regard : The following films were selected to be screened out of competition: The following films were selected for

1323-572: The fight against obscurantist beliefs, the degeneration of the feudal class, and the break-up of the joint-family system. In the 1960s, M. Krishnan Nair , Kunchacko and P. Subramaniam were the leading Malayali producers. Thikkurusi Sukumaran Nair, Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, S.P. Pillai, K.P. Ummer, Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair, Raghavan, G.K. Pillai, Muthukulam, Joseprakash, Paravur Bharatan, Muthayya, Shankaradi, Govindankutty, K.R. Vijaya, Padmini, Ragini, Sharada, Sheela, Ambika, Jayabharathi, Arumula Ponnamma and Sadahna were among

1372-556: The finance directly from people. The period had movies with humour from directors like Priyadarshan , Sathyan Anthikad , Kamal and Siddique-Lal . Piravi (1989) by Shaji N. Karun was the first Malayalam film to win the Caméra d'Or -Mention at the Cannes Film Festival. Ratheesh and Sukumaran also were leading stars in the industry in the early eighties. By the end of 80s, Mammooty and Mohanlal also established themselves as

1421-490: The first Malayalam film to cross the 500 million mark at the box office. The film was critically acclaimed and was remade in four languages. Later, in 2016, Pulimurugan directed by Vyshak became the first Malayalam film to cross the 1 billion mark at the box office. In recent years, Malayalam films have gained popularity in Sri Lanka, with fans citing cultural similarities between Sinhalese people and Malayalis as

1470-544: The first permanent theatre in Kerala was established in Thrissur town by Kattookkaran and was called the Jose Electrical Bioscope , now Jos Theatre . The first film made in Malayalam was Vigathakumaran . Production started in 1928, and it was released at the Capitol Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on 23 October 1930. It was produced and directed by J. C. Daniel , a businessman with no prior film experience, who

1519-422: The first quarter. Malayalam Cinema achieved its first calendar year ₹1000 crore worldwide gross by May. As of 24 May, total worldwide box office gross stood at ₹1030 crores, including ₹660 crores from India and ₹370 from overseas. The films that led the success story were Manjummel Boys , Aadujeevitham , Premalu , and Aavesham , all of which earned over ₹100 crores at worldwide box office. The success

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1568-1038: The leading actors in Malayalam. The mid of 80s saw the emergence of low-quality Malayalam softcore films made with fairly low budgets . They were remarked as B-grade films, and were certified as fit for adults only (A rated). These films emerged parallel with the mainstream Malayalam cinema. In 1986, roughly 14 of the 32-odd films released were classified as B-grade films. Some examples are Mathilukal (1990) directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan , Kattukuthira (1990) directed by P. G. Viswambharan , Amaram (1991) directed by Bharathan , Ulladakkam (1992) directed by Kamal , Kilukkam (1991) directed by Priyadarshan , Kamaladalam (1992) by Sibi Malayil , Vidheyan (1993) by Adoor Gopalakrishnan , Devaasuram (1993) by I. V. Sasi , Manichitrathazhu (1993) by Fazil, Ponthan Mada (1993) by T. V. Chandran , Spadikam (1995) by Bhadran , Commissioner (1994) The King (1995) by Shaji Kailas , Hitler (1996) by Siddique and Desadanam (1997) by Jayaraj . Due to

1617-582: The more popular actors active in this period. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Kunchacko made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, both as a producer and as director of some notable movies. He started Udaya Studios in Alappuzha in 1947, reducing the travel to Madras (Chennai) for film crew and actors. This boosted Malayalam film production in Kerala. Many directors sprang up in this period. P.N. Menon made Rosy and later Chemparanthi . G. Aravindan and Adoor Gopalakrishnan also started work in

1666-518: The multistar film Twenty:20 to raise funds for the AMMA. The 2000-2003 period also saw witnessed the Shakeela tharangam , that resulted in the series of production of low budget softporn films in Malayalam cinema . The continued failure of comedy films and the theater strikes in Kerala, that started in the early 2000s, were the major reasons behind the comeback of B-grade films in Malayalam. Around 57 of

1715-521: The mythical film Satyavan Savithri , which were well accepted. Also, commercial cinema in this period saw several worker-class themed films which mostly had M. G. Soman , Sukumaran and Sudheer in the lead followed by the emergence of a new genre of pure action-themed films, in a movement led by Jayan . However, this was short-lived, and almost ended when Jayan died while performing a stunt in Kolilakkam (1980). The Malayalam cinema of this period

1764-526: The prestigious Caméra d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival . Several Malayalam films have been India's official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards , including Rajiv Anchal 's Guru (1997), Salim Ahamed 's Adaminte Makan Abu (2011), Lijo Jose Pellissery 's Jallikkattu (2019) and Jude Anthany Joseph 's 2018 (2023). Other globally acclaimed films include Chemmeen (1965), which received

1813-537: The production of a series of comedy films in the early and mid-1990s. Swaham (1994), directed by Shaji N. Karun , was the first Malayalam film entry for the competition in the Cannes International Film Festival , where it was a nominee for the Palme d'Or . Murali Nair 's Marana Simhasanam later won the Caméra d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival . Guru (1997), directed by Rajiv Anchal ,

1862-486: The second half of the 20th century: there were only two silent films, and three Malayalam-language films before 1947. With support from the Kerala state government production climbed from around 6 a year in the 1950s, to 30 a year in the 1960s, 40 a year in the 1970s, to 127 films in 1980. The first cinema hall in Kerala , with a manually operated film projector, was opened in Thrissur by Jose Kattookkaran in 1907. In 1913,

1911-460: The story of a printing press employee and his family being stricken with extreme poverty. The music took a turn away from the trend of copying Tamil and Hindi songs. The poets Tirunainaarkurichy Madhavan Nair – Thirunaiyarkurichy, P. Bhaskaran , O. N. V. Kurup , and Vayalar Ramavarma rose up in this period as film lyricists. Brother Lakshmanan, Dakshinamurthy , K. Raghavan , G. Devarajan , M. S. Baburaj , and Pukhenthey Velappan Nair started

1960-638: The successful Malayalam film Vyooham starring Raghuvaran . His second directorial Yodha gave him nationwide recognition. After directing more than half a dozen Malayalam films, he directed his first Bollywood film, Zor , starring Sunny Deol . However, the film did not do well at the box office but the directorial ability of Sivan was well appreciated by many producers. After a brief gap he started working on Jackie Shroff 's film Sandhya followed by Pantaloon's Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne . Sivan collaborated with Mohanlal in three films, namely Yodha , Gandharvam and Nirnayam . In 2012, Sivan went to

2009-482: The total 89 films released in 2001 belonged to the soft-porn category and Shakeela featured in many of them . After several years of quality deterioration, Malayalam films saw the signs of massive resurgence after 2010 with the release of several experimental films (known as New Wave or New Generation films), mostly from new directors. New Wave is characterised by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques. These films differ from conventional themes of

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2058-506: Was Balan , released in 1938. It was directed by S. Nottani with a screenplay and songs written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai . It was produced by Modern Theatres at Salem in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu . Balan was followed by Gnanambika in 1940, which was directed by S. Nottani. Then came Prahlada in 1941, directed by K. Subramoniam of Madras and featuring Guru Gopinath and Thankamani Gopinath. Until 1947 most Malayalam films were made by Tamil producers, P. J. Cherian

2107-493: Was Kandam Bacha Coat (1961). Chemmeen (1965), directed by Ramu Kariat and based on a novel of the same name by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai , went on to become very popular and became the first South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film . Most of the films of the 1960s were animated by the nationalist and socialist projects and centered on issues relating to caste and class exploitation,

2156-493: Was a musical drama that spoke about the problems in a joint family. In 1954, the film Neelakuyil captured national interest by winning the President's silver medal. It was scripted by the well-known Malayalam novelist Uroob , and directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat . Newspaper Boy (1955) contained elements of Italian neorealism . This film is notable as the product of a group of amateur college filmmakers. It told

2205-458: Was by then recognised as an important author in Malayalam, directed his first film, Nirmalyam , which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film . G. Aravindan followed Adoor 's lead with his Uttarayanam in 1974. K. P. Kumaran 's Adhithi (1974) was another film that was acclaimed by the critics. Cinematographers who won the National Award for their work on Malayalam films in

2254-450: Was characterised by detailed screenplays dealing with everyday life with a lucid narration of plot intermingling with humour and melancholy. This was aided by the cinematography and lighting. The films had warm background music. In 1981 Fazil directed Manjil Virinja Pookal the film also introduced then Romantic star Shankar (actor) and later actor Mohanlal to the world. Adoor Gopalakrishnan made Elippathayam in 1981. This movie won

2303-517: Was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for that year, making it the first film in Malayalam to be chosen for Oscar nomination. Noted script writer A.K. Lohithadas made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi , for which he won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director . The millennium started with

2352-631: Was released through Netflix on 24 th December 2021. Tovino Thomas as Minnal Murali which was directed by Basil Joseph under Weekend Blockbusters gained great reviews by critics and became top watched Non-English movie on Netflix. It broke all records of Malayalam Cinema trailers on YouTube crossing 6 Million Views and 500K+ likes in 24 hours. in 2023 , disaster film 2018 was selected as India's submission for Oscar for best international film Malayalam Cinema enjoyed unprecedented box office success in early months of 2024, with worldwide box office collection of Malayalam films touching ₹900 crores in

2401-402: Was the first Malayali producer to venture into this field after JC Daniel Nadar. PJ Cherian produced Nirmala in 1948 with Joseph Cherian and Baby Joseph his son and daughter-in-law as hero and heroine. He also cast many other family members in other roles, trying to break the taboo that noble family people do not take up acting. Nirmala is the first movie which introduced play-back singing in

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