Best Films in Malayalam 2013

Malayalam Movie Round-up - 2013

 Saumesh Thimbath

The end of the year reminds us of taking a look back at the year that passed by. 2013 was a good year for the Malayalam film industry in terms of the number of movies released and the newer ideas, styles and talents that got introduced. A total of 137 movies were released which is far greater than any number achieved in recent years. Many new directors, actors and technicians made their debut and tasted success. 

This trend had started around three years back when aided by the growth of digital film making and promotion, many youngsters were taking the plunge like never before. The cost of film making had also gone down owing to digitization which gave an impetus to the trend. Many films which captured the imagination of the youth and tagged 'new generation' thus, had done well.

But, all is not gung-ho with the industry's current status. One recent development that could put a reign on the number of movies coming out is the decision of TV channels to tighten the criteria with which they bought movie rights. With many movies depending on the cable and satellite rights to breakeven, this could come as a major jolt. The family audiences i.e., a viewership that has children accompanying elders, has taken exception to the idea of 'new generation' for its 'moral dubiousness', which could impact their commercial prospects adversely.

Buying into an old custom of making 'the ten best movie list', here is our pick, which is in no specific order. Leave your comments if you agree, if there is anything missing or we have gone completely wrong.

Drishyam – Drishyam had a Christmas release and was among the last bunch of movies to arrive in 2013. The movie was directed by Jeethu Joseph, whose last two movies, Memories (2013) and My Boss (2012), were high up in the list of top grossers. The movie starring Mohanlal and Meena was promoted like an usual family drama, but had welcome surprises in store for the audience, which made it a popular and critical success in its first week run itself. Drishyam is lauded by many as the best thriller to be made in Malayalam in the last two decades.

Celluloid – Celluloid was a period film which told the story of J C Daniel who made the first movie in Malayalam, Vigathakumaran. The movie was made to coincide with the centenary of Indian Cinema and brought into spotlight the first heroine of Malayalam cinema, Rosy, who was never heard of after the production. It also opened up discussion on casteism and cinema, which was conveniently swept under the carpet for years.

Memories – Memories was an investigative story that had an alcoholic cop as the protagonist. The director, Jeethu Joseph, weaved in emotions into a thriller with finesse which made it a hit with the family audiences. Prithviraj's rendition of an emotionally disturbed man was widely praised.  

Neram – Though Alphonse Putharen starts his debut feature with a quote by Quentin Tarantino, there is more of Guy Ritchie's influence in Neram. The movie communicated well to the younger audience. It was a movie made at a small budget with a lot of new faces working behind the camera, nevertheless it became a major hit at the Kerala box office. The movie launched Nazriya Nazim's career making her the most loved Malayali online celebrity.

Mumbai Police – Mumbai Police, directed by Rosshan Andrews, was scripted by the hit-making screenwriting duo, Bobby-Sanjay. The movie was a well written thriller that never let the suspense fizzle out until the end.

Amen – Amen brought back the genre of 'village comedies' with timely additions and innovations. The narrative structure of the movie was highly innovative and the director, Lijo Jose Pellissery, gave it a comic book feel that was refreshingly new. The music by Prashant Pillai was also a major draw for the movie. Lijo proved that self-tutelage isn't such a bad idea after all.

Shutter – Actor Joy Matthew's directorial debut, Shutter, was a well written movie, that was heavily influenced by many of Hitchcock's methods. It was also scathing critique of the hypocrisy of Malayali patriarchy.

Annayum Rasoolum – The directorial debut of Anurag Kashyap's cinematographer Rajeev Ravi was eagerly waited and what he delivered was a visual treat that was new to the Malayali audience. Annayum Rasoolum was based on Romeo and Juliet and did not have much to offer thematically. There was no story, it was only storytelling. But the visuals and the music along with the performance of all the actors makes the movie a must watch.

Neelakasam Pachakadal Chuvannabhumi – NPCB was a biker movie that drew from movies like Motorcycle Diaries which was then supplemented with political commentary and a romantic storyline. The arresting landscape of the North East of India was beautifully captured. The makers of the movie deserves a pat on the back for the sheer audacity of the project.

Philips and The Monkey Pen – The story revolved around a magical pen that gets passed down in the family and how a mischievous young boy makes use of it. The performance of Sanoop, who played the youngest Philip, won many hearts. 

Let's hope that the coming year, though with fewer releases than 2013, would churn out more movies that rides on innovation and gives us pleasant surprises like Drishyam did this year. Keep coming back to this space for more news and reviews on Malayalam movies in the coming days.