10 MALAYALAM MOVIES WITH KIDS AS CENTRAL CHARACTERS worth your time

film 101 Chodyangal

Except a handful of them, films about children somehow don’t seem to get the kind of attention they deserve in Malayalam, be it in terms of production or reception. Maybe we grownups don’t care enough to look at things through a child’s perspective anymore, conveniently forgetting how we were all there once. Or maybe, we’ve always been looking at it the wrong way. However the results of some of the few attempts in Malayalam Cinema at capturing the innocence and unpredictability of childhood cannot be ignored, especially some recent ones that seem especially promising. Following is a list of such Malayalam films featuring kids as central characters, although not always narrated through their perspective.

10. Johnny 1993

A biopic of the legendary Don Bosco reimagined in Malayalam, and directed by Sangeeth Sivan, Johnny should be watched especially for the stunning camerawork by Santhosh Sivan.

9. Ente Veedu, Appu’ntem 2003

A psychological exploration of sibling rivalry that crosses the line, this Sibi Malayil film is also an intense study of the dark face of reformatory schools.

8. Pappayude Swantham Appoos 1992

Here Fazil beautifully portrays the nuances of a father-son relationship that is forever jaded by the heartwarming memories of a dead mother.

7. Manjadikkuru 2012

The complexities of grownup life that a bunch of kids get exposed to during their grandfather’s funeral wake are at the core of this directorial debut by Anjali Menon.

6. 101 Chodyangal 2013

The bond that develops between a kid and a new teacher in his school helps him find hope in a life swamped with poverty and other family adversities.

5. Malootty 1992

May not be a children’s film per say, but Bharathan’s Malootty has a five year old girl at the center of all the action which is a prolonged rescue operation to save her from a hole in the ground.

4. My Dear Kuttichathan 1984

Fantasy by nature, this landmark 3D marvel tells the story of the eponymous goblin’s friendship with three kids who free it from the spell of a cruel sorcerer.

3. Abhayam 1991

The solitude and confusion of childhood is treated here like never before where an anguished kid in an attempt to break free from his repressive daily rut runs away from his parents.

2. Ottal 2015

Jayaraj’s brilliant adaptation of Chekov’s Vanka that explores a kid’s relationship with his grandfather in the limitless bogs of Kuttanad is an absolutely rewarding experience. 

1. Kummatty 1979

In Aravindan’s twisted tale woven around folk figure Kummatty, legend and life enchantingly align, bending childhood fantasies, fears and freedom around the scary idea of physical transformation.

 

Few other films featuring kids in pivotal roles…

Pookalam Varavayee 1991

Manu Uncle 1988

T.D. Dasan Std. VI B 2010

Kesu 2009
Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennel 1986

Kochaniyan 1994

Kaazhcha 2004

Ente Mamattikkutttiyammakku 1983

Akashadoothu 1993

My Dear Muthachan 1992

Olangal 1982

Anubandam 1985

Desadanam 1996

Yodha 1992

Veetilekkulla Vazhi 2010