OPINION: Why is Malayalam cinema yet to create THAT big impact like KGF, despite great and big-budget films like ARM?

by

As a lifestyle expert with a deep-rooted passion for cinema, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the diverse tapestry of Indian regional films, and Malayalam cinema stands out as one of the most intriguing and innovative. However, it’s been a conundrum that despite its rich storytellers and unique narratives, Mollywood hasn’t quite managed to achieve pan-Indian success like its Tollywood or Kollywood counterparts.

For a number of years, Malayalam cinema has consistently produced high-quality content that is both appreciated by artists and audiences. This industry, renowned for its distinct style of filmmaking and authentic characters, has not yet achieved significant success comparable to other South Indian film industries.

Despite producing some notable films like Ajayante Randam Moshanam (ARM) starring Tovino Thomas this year, the film industry continues to struggle with securing a strong presence in theaters, particularly beyond Kerala.

Although movies like Premalu and Manjummel Boys from this year’s initial Malayalam releases received widespread acclaim, they didn’t quite grab everyone’s interest. It seems that even with talented storytellers and skilled artists in the field, Malayalam cinema struggles to reach a wider audience. Could it be due to factors like limited distribution, language barriers, or perhaps a lack of relatable themes for a broader demographic?

Why are Malayalam cinemas still finding it hard to achieve pan-Indian success?

The cinema from the Malayalam region is frequently recognized as an outstanding example of distinctive storytelling and innovation within regional films. Since the return of cinema post-COVID, Malayalam movies have undeniably increased in popularity, regularly receiving praise for their high-quality filmmaking techniques despite working with limited budgets.

Despite often receiving favorable reviews following their Over-The-Top (OTT) releases, acclaiming words tend to come later in the game. It’s intriguing that films produced in languages such as Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada can captivate audiences effectively, while Mollywood struggles to maintain a strong presence like them.

In simpler terms, it’s often said that the limited marketing strategies employed by Malayalam filmmakers restrict the global audience for these films. This lack of awareness about these movies often leads to a lack of interest among people in going to the cinema.

Although it’s a significant reason that these movies might seem slow to gain traction among viewers, there are other factors at play too. From a business perspective, audience disinterest can lead to hesitation from foreign distributors, even for dubbed versions of the films, suggesting a broader lack of interest.

Insufficient promotion by film production companies often hinders the audience’s anticipation for movies, which in turn affects their market potential. Nevertheless, films such as Baahubali and KGF: Chapter 1, despite minimal marketing, were able to attract larger audiences, demonstrating a possible alternative approach to reaching broader markets.

In this setting, the character development within stories serves as a bridge connecting diverse viewers from different regions, fostering shared understanding and empathy. The aforementioned films successfully resonated with their audiences, striking a chord that echoed authentic experiences for each viewer.

Although Malayalam films hold great promise for creating intriguing characters and distinct stories, they often face limitations in some aspects. It’s essential to acknowledge that simply gathering actors from various regions of India and weaving them into an underdeveloped script doesn’t automatically make a movie pan-Indian.

A film that can captivate viewers across all regions while maintaining its authentic essence is what defines a pan-Indian movie. Given various viewpoints, is it unrealistic to think that Malayalam films could achieve massive success in the future?

Does Malayalam cinema still stand a chance to create a pan-Indian impact?

Discussing movies across India, it’s important to note that one of the earliest films to captivate the entire nation was a magical movie titled “My Dear Kuttichathan,” released in 1984. This film, which marked India’s debut in 3D cinema, remains a cherished classic for many who watched it during their childhood.

It’s quite straightforward to determine if a Malayalam film can have a nationwide influence. Given the right circumstances, it’s simply a question of time before an exceptional movie gains such recognition.

Looking forward to some exciting Malayalam movies on the horizon, such as L2: Empuraan with Mohanlal, Kathanaar, and Tyson featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran, it will be intriguing to see what the industry unveils for viewers in the coming years.

Read More

2024-09-19 14:08