This year is expected to be huge for Malayalam cinema, with several multi-starrer projects lined up from some of the most accomplished directors working in the industry today, aside from a couple of newcomers. We take a look at 10 exciting titles that are most likely expected to hit theatres this year.
Patriot
Mahesh Narayanan's multi-starrer action thriller brings together a supremely stellar ensemble cast for the first time: Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchako Boban, Nayanthara, and Revathi. They are joined by a host of other gifted actors from different generations of Malayalam cinema.
TikiTaka
Expected to be a high-intensity action spectacle from filmmaker Rohith VS ("Kala", "Adventures of Omanakuttan", "Iblis"), and headlined by Asif Ali, Wamiqa Gabbi, Naslen, Sanchana Natarajan, and Lukman Avaran. "A movie that demands a lot of sweat and blood — a journey of several months to transform physically and master the art of fighting," said Asif.
Chatha Pacha
Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies is an action film starring the youth brigade of Mollywood — Roshan Mathew, Arjun Ashokan, Vishak Nair and Ishan Shoukath. Inspired by the WWE phenomenon, it is said to feature Mammootty in an important cameo. Directed by Advaith Nayar.
Oru Durooha Sahacharyathil
From writer-director Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval (Android Kunjappan, Nna Thaan Case Kodu), the movie, billed as a crime comedy, reunites the filmmaker with Kunchacko Boban, who is joined by actors Dileesh Pothan and Sajin Gopu. Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram plays one of the lead roles. Other cast members are Sudheesh, Rajesh Madhavan, and Sharanya R.
I Am Game
Dulquer Salmaan teams up with director Nahas Hidayath ("RDX") for another action outing, which also features Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kathir, Samyuktha Viswanathan, and Parth Tiwari. Kayadu Lohar plays the female lead. Dulquer is producing under his Wayfarer Films. It marks Dulquer's return to Malayalam cinema after a three-year gap.
Athiradi
Basil Joseph stars in and produces his Minnal Murali co-writer Arun Anirudhan's directorial debut, in which Tovino Thomas and Vineeth Sreenivasan essay the other two leads. Athiradi has a script co-written by Arun Anirudhan and Paulson Skaria ("Kaathal: The Core", "Neymar").
Khalifa (Parts 1 & 2)
Prithviraj and Mohanlal reunite after Lucifer, Bro Daddy and Empuraan for what is being touted as a high-octane "international" gangster-action drama spanning generations. Mohanlal, who plays the grandfather of Prithviraj's character, is expected to have a larger role in Part 2. Directed by Vysakh, known for one of Mohanlal's biggest blockbusters, Pulimurugan. Jakes Bejoy is the composer.
I, Nobody
Written by Sameer Abdul ("Rorschach") and directed by Nisam Basheer ("Rorschach", "Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha"), I, Nobody is a political thriller starring Prithviraj and Parvathy, alongside Hakkim Shajahan, Ashokan, Madhupal, Lukman Avaran, Ganapathi and Vinay Forrt in key roles.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit
Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil, and Syam Pushkaran are producing this rom-com directed by Girish AD ("Premalu", "Super Sharanya"), and featuring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju. It's one of the biggest dream-come-true collaborations in Malayalam cinema.
Drishyam 3
The third instalment of the popular franchise reunites Mohanlal and filmmaker Jeethu Joseph. The Malayalam version, which is expected to have a different storytelling approach from the first two, will be released before the Hindi versions.