Compared to the year 2014, this year was a successful one for Malayalam entertainment industry as some of the new releases created some box office wonders at the Kerala box office in 2015.
Even though it began on a slow note, it was Prithviraj Sukumaran's "Picket 43" that was noticed as the first best release of the year. The movie, directed by Major Ravi, received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for narrating the story of an Indian army soldier, who guards a picket alone in Kashmir. "Picket 43", made on a budget of Rs. 4.7 crore, was one of the profitable Malayalam movies released in the first half of 2015.
Megastar Mammootty's "Fireman", directed by Deepu Karunakaran, also opened to good responses on its release in February. The movie, which also starred Unni Mukundan, Nyla Usha and Siddique, was the first Malayalam film that dealt with the life of fire fighters in the backdrop of a major fire disaster in a city in Kerala.
Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen starrer "100 Days of Love", released in March, got a good start at the box office by earning â'¹2.10 crore in the first two days itself. Debutant Jenuse Mohamed's directorial venture was called one of the cutest romantic comedy flicks ever made in Malayalam by critics.
However, by the end of March, through Nivin Pauly starrer "Oru Vadakkan Selfie", the Mollywood industry started getting good business in the year 2015 that collected Rs 31.5 crore from worldwide box office. The G Prajith debut directorial, which also stars Aju Varghese, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Manjima Mohan, has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films ever.
Mammootty and Nayantara's "Bhaskar The Rascal", directed by Siddique, also made comparatively good business at the box office with a total of almost Rs 16 crore gross collection.
Siddharth Bharathan's comedy family entertainer "Chandrettan Evideya", starring Dileep, Anusree and Namitha Pramod in the lead was one of the profitable movies of the year that opened to positive reviews among the critics and audience. The film marked the comeback of Dileep after back-to-back not so successful projects.
However, it was with the release of Nivin Pauly's "Premam" the Mollywood industry saw tremendous business after Mohanlal starrer "Drishyam" in 2013. The Alphonse Puthren directorial, made on a budget of Rs 4 crore, is said to have collected more than Rs 67 crore from worldwide box office. The movie, which has three heroines -- Anupama Parameshwaran, Sai Pallavi and Madonna Sebastian â€" is still running successfully in Chennai completing 200 days of its theatrical run.
After "Premam", the industry witnessed a dull period with many not-so-successful projects in Malayalam. Even though Mohanlal's "Loham" was a commercially successful movie, it opened to mixed reviews though critics lauded the superstar for his noteworthy performance.
Later, Prithviraj's "Ennu Ninte Moideen", which narrates the real life love story of BP Moideen and Kanchanamala, ruled the box office with more than Rs 50 crore collections. The movie is still running successfully in some screens in India even after 100 days of its release. Apart from the touching story, audience have also wholeheartedly accepted the beautiful songs of "Ennu Ninte Moideen".
Director Salim Ahamed's "Pathemari" was the best Mammootty film released in 2015 that depicted the real life stories of Keralites settled in the Middle-East. Mammootty's performance in "Pathemari" is considered as one of the best roles he has done in his acting career. The movie did good business and was running houseful even after the release of "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi". The Mammootty starrer is said to have collected Rs 8.6 crore from India alone within 28 days. [Read Pathemari Review]
Prithviraj, Indrajith Sukumaran and Jayasurya starrer "Amar Akbar Anthony" was the debut directorial venture of comedian and actor Nadirshah. The comedy entertainer opened to good reviews and is said to have grossed more than Rs 28.50 crore in 45 days of its theatrical run. Apart from its fresh comedy, the movie was also appreciated for giving a social message to the youngsters of our society. [Read AAA review]
After two back-to-back successes, Prithviraj hit the hat trick after the release of Sachy's "Anarkali" that also was well accepted by the Kerala audience making the actor the ruler of Kerala box office. The movie, set in the beautiful locales of Lakshadweep, also has Biju Menon in the lead role. Reports suggest that within 14 days, the movie collected almost Rs 7.74 crore. [Read Anarkali Review]
Jayasurya, who is known for doing many challenging roles in Malayalam was lauded for his performance as a someone who stammers in Ranjith Sankar's family entertainer "Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam". The movie was going steady at the Kerala box office even during its second week. [Read SSSV Review]
Among the Christmas releases, it is Dulquer Salmaan's "Charlie" that is ruling the box office with amazing collections from day one. The movie is said to have collected almost Rs 2.15 crore on its opening day. The movie, directed by Martin Prakkat is still doing good business and is also set to rock the overseas box office from 1 January.
