Popularity Of Malayalam Movies In Recent Years: 5 Key Points Why Mollywood Better Connects With Audience

The captivating stories told in Malayalam movies have grabbed us all. What are the filmmakers doing differently? Let's figure out their secret ingredient.

Despite the language barrier, many viewers are discovering the charm of Malayalam, thanks to the popularity of films like Fahadh Faasil's 'Aavesham' and Mammootty's 'Kaathal – The Core'. But what sets Malayalam movies apart from the usual Bollywood fare? Let's figure out the secret ingredients that make Malayalam films a breath of fresh air in Indian cinema.

As Bollywood's formulaic dramas and action-packed blockbusters start to lose their lustre, Malayalam cinema is emerging as a refreshing alternative, captivating audiences with its unique storytelling.

1. Unique Angle

Malayalam movies often explore unique angles. ‘Uyare’ (2019), for example, combined societal criticism with an engaging story to deal with the problem of acid assaults from the perspective of survival. ‘C U Soon’ (2020), another film recorded completely on an iPhone during the epidemic, too defied the conventional norms by experimenting with form and substance. Many Bollywood fans, sick of the studio's more conventional methods, find solace in Malayalam films because of their daring and experimental storytelling.

Malayalam film has a distinct style, as pointed out by actress Vidya Balan, who said that no Hindi superstar could play Mammootty's role in 'Kaathal: The Core'. In April, Vidya was interviewed by Samdish Bhatia, where she praised Mammootty for taking an uncommon and refreshing approach.

2. Economics of Malayalam Cinema: Small Budgets, Big Impact

If we go on to compare Mollywood with Bollywood, Malayalam cinema is known for making high-quality films on less budget. As an example, Jeethu Joseph's ‘Drishyam’ grossed nearly Rs 75 crore globally while having a budget of just around Rs 4 crore. Instead of spectacular production values or A-list actors, the film's popularity stemmed from its riveting plot and strong performances.

An example of this is the superhero movie ‘Minnal Murali’ (2021). Superhero movies in Indian cinema were revolutionised by this low-budget movie. The Tovino Thomas–starrer foregoes the typical superhero film tropes of a CGI-heavy extravaganza in favour of an emphasis on character growth, comedy, and regional flavour. The film's popularity disproved the notion that superhero films need huge budgets and spectacular effects, showing instead that powerful narratives with approachable people can accomplish the same thing.

Unlike the high-budget, star-driven films of Bollywood, Malayalam filmmakers are able to take creative chances and concentrate on narrative as their cost-effective strategy.

3. The Power of Content

A larger audience is searching for movies that represent their own experiences and social challenges, rather than escapist illusions, and this trend towards real tales has played a significant role in the expanding popularity of Malayalam cinema. 

Malayalam cinema varies greatly from other types of cinema in terms of its content. The cast in Malayalam movies generally seems to be secondary to the films' great screenplays and well-defined characters. 

An excellent example of this is 'Joji' (2021), which reimagines a traditional storyline in a contemporary Kerala context while dealing with issues like as ambition, greed, and family strife. 

The grounded reality of Malayalam films makes them more accessible to the ordinary viewer, even in the action genre—which in Bollywood essentially entails blowing up humongous vehicles and using fancy weaponry. By focusing less on grandiose spectacle and more on the characters' everyday struggles, the action thriller ‘RDX’ has carved out a unique place for itself in the genre.

4. Aesthetic Dissimilarities

Compared to Hollywood and Bollywood's bright and glossy aesthetics, Malayalam cinema's visual style is often more muted and grounded in reality. Making an environment that enhances the story rather than detracts from it is the main goal. This aesthetic distinction is brought to light in films like 'Kumbalangi Nights' (2019), which portrays life in a tiny fishing hamlet in a realistic manner. In order to make the stories seem more genuine, the cinematography in Malayalam movies often uses realistic set designs and natural lighting.

Another excellent illustration of this is Lijo Jose Pellissery's movie 'Amen' (2013). The movie's primary locations, the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, provided an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the landscape and serene water bodies of Kerala. Beyond only being entertaining, the movie serves virtually as a visual tour of the most picturesque sites in Kerala. 

5. The Viewer's Point of View

Movies made in Malayalam touch people emotionally because they mirror their own lives and the challenges they've faced. Thanks to the industry's openness to trying new things with genres and ideas, this bond is even stronger. 

In 'Nayattu' (2021), viewers are taken on a terrifying journey with three fleeing police officers as they navigate a crooked system that reflects the terrible reality that many viewers encounter. Audiences might identify with the film because of its candid depiction of social difficulties and its defiance of providing simple solutions. Realistic tales with multi-faceted protagonists and antagonists make it easy for audiences to identify with the stories.

To sum it up, Malayalam film is a force to be reckoned with in Indian cinema because of its content-first approach, authenticity, and vast audience engagement.