10 OF THE MOST TROUBLING MOVIE DEATHS IN MALAYALAM CINEMA THUS FAR

Following is a list of some of the most worryingly enduring images of deaths in Malayalam cinema thus far…

50 OF THE FUNNIEST SALIM KUMAR QUOTES

Long before Salim Kumar was nationally recognized for his acting prowess, he had already carved a remarkable niche of his own into the stellar comic scene of Malayalam cinema already spangled with the antics of stalwarts like Jagathy, Innocent, Kuthiravattam Pappu and Mamukkoya, and became the unbridled king of comic one-liners in Malayalam cinema.

The Malayalam language that he uses, rings on its own vernacular with bespoke words enriching the lexis and the English language is almost always pushed off the edge of the cliff. Delivered frequently in the sing-song lilt adapted in characteristic Katha-Prasangam style popularized by the likes of the legendary Samba Sivan, his quotes are a pop phenomena forming an integral part of the day-to-day Malayali banter. Following is a list of 50 of the funniest and the most noteworthy of them all.

50 OF THE MOST POPULAR MOVIE QUOTES FROM MALAYALAM FILMS OF THE DECADE

 

Art imitates life and life imitates art! The give and take between art and life has been an ongoing psychological stretch. Movies being one of the most popular art forms, its influence on the life that it inmates and surrounds is unequivocal. Influential dialogues and one-liners from films seething into pop culture is its most evident example. In Malayalam cinema there has been a spectacular reserve of ICONIC DIALOGUES in the past that we use on a daily basis. Adding to this is the latest collection from the new decade, from 2010 to 2019, which fortunately has also  been from some of the BEST FILMS OF THE DECADE. Following is a list of these notable one-liners, statements, quips, insults, puns, misquotes and punchlines in Malayalam Cinema of the decade that are especially distinguished for its durable impact, comedic brilliance and unlimited quotability, and lives on in popular culture through its constant use and reuse over the course of time.

10 OF THE BEST ACTING PERFORMANCES OF THE DECADE in Malayalam Cinema

 

The decade from 2010 to 2019 was very rewarding for Malayalam Cinema. Grappling in the dark through uncertain territories in the previous decade when the Industry finally got to the end of the tunnel, we were lucky that it wafted with a breath of fresh air in every aspects of filmmaking. Although Malayalam Cinema has consistently given good acting performances over the years, the new breed of films that was made in this decade, unlike the previous one, gave larger and better scope of performance for the actors inside all their newfound concepts. Following is a list of 10 of the best performances among them.

 

10 MALAYALAM MOVIES FROM THE 2010s YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

The past decade was a transition of sorts for Malayalam films with a big bunch of experimental films that hit all the right spots at the same time giving rise to a neo- new wave movement that was nicknamed the “New-Gen” films, all for good cause. We will be ever grateful to this decade for killing out almost all of the tasteless trends disseminated by the last one. Check out the top ten picks of the decade!

7 MALAYALAM FILMS OF 2016 YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

A decent year with some great attempts, 2016 was a mixed bag for Malayalam Film Industry. There was the film that broke all cash records on one end, while on the other, major disappointments from two of the titans- Adoor Gopalakrishnan whose Pinneyum was a damp squib at the end of that 8-year long wait following his last and T.V. Chandran whose stagey Mohavalayalm seemed to have lost all track of reality despite an interesting premise. But what makes 2016 special is the sheer number of newcomers that surprised us with some good cinema, so much so that more than half of the films in the following list are from debutant directors. There were also a handful of films with kids as central characters that leaves a ray of hope for years to come. Now, check out the list and see which ones worked for you…

10 MALAYALAM MOVIES IN WHICH RAIN PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE

film Paithrukam

No matter what, there is no separating rain from a Malayali. It is such an integral part of the soul and body of Kerala that everyone here tend to relate it to memories from all possible aspects of life, be it love, passion, nostalgia, melancholy, happiness, ecstasy, and the list just goes on. Rain is one of the most widely used elements in Malayalam films, and our rich cinematic history has a lot of such films to boast about. Songs like “Pranayamani thooval viriyum…” from Azhagiya Ravanan and “Neelakuyile chollu…” from Adwaitham brings back all that raging glands to action. It has made dramatic entries in scenes of great magnitude like the ones in Devasuram, Kireedam and Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu. There are also some films where it plays a much more important and extensive role in setting the mood and as a narrative tool. Following is a list of such films that effectively uses rain in all its glory.

11 OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MALAYALAM FILMS OF ALL TIME

film Papilio Buddha

Living in a time such as ours, you shouldn’t be surprised if tilting your head a certain way ended up offending someone or some group somewhere longing for attention and waiting to pounce. Despite all the ongoing debate on freedom of expression, art, books, films and other such creative media has increasingly been attacked time and again in the name of the liberty taken to “overstep that line”. Many a controversies have arisen owing to the disputed interpretation of the said freedom, and one of the most targeted areas in this case has forever been the movie world. In Kerala where every Mahesh, Suresh and Ramesh veneer their opinions as criticisms, there have been many occasions where films were beaten and cut to size for freely expressing a view different from the conventional; like when the movie name Ponmuttayidunna “Thattaan” had to be changed to Ponmuttayidunna “Tharavu” following severe protests from the goldsmith community who took offence from the original title; like when the multiple endings of Harikrishnans kick started a storm verging on communal; like with the filming of a live childbirth in Kalimannu and the partial nudity in Thanmatra cocked a lot of eyebrows. Many derided Fazil’s Ente sooryaputhrikku as bad influence, Jeetu Joseph’s Drishyam for sending the wrong message and Alfonse Puthran’s Premam as provocative and misleading. Similarly film Parudeesa directed by R. Sarath was accused of instigating anti-religious propaganda and Padmavyooham directed by Bijoy P.I. for posing security concerns to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The ambitious Adoor film Kathapurushan garnered much criticism for the resemblance of its stammering protagonist to veteran Communist leader EMS Namboothiripad. Most Shaji Kailas films scripted by Renj Panicker from Ekalavyan to Commissioner courted controversy for daring the system. So was the case with numerous I.V. Sasi films written by T. Damodaran. Following is a list of movies in the Malayalam language that became controversial for its subject matter as well as its portrayal more than any other.

18 UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS PLAYED BY INNOCENT in Malayalam films

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala, mononymously known as Innocent is one of the most popular comedians working in Malayalam Cinema today. He is among those actors who, despite having the ‘actor’ overshadowing the ‘character’ with his trademark mannerisms and unyielding accent, pull it through effectively every time. Like Mamukkoya and Kuthiravattom Pappu, he has been stuck in an accent muzzle with his obstinate Thrissur lilt that once hung above the head of the Achayan accent in Kottayam Kunjachan and Kayyur Accent in Meenamasathile Sooryan (which could be overlooked as nobody including the scriptwriter got it right there). Nevertheless he is one of our all time favorites, and we do have his different characters etched into our memories each distinct from the other,however slightly like the cards in a deck. Following is a list of some of his most unforgettable characters thus far, many of which have made us laugh till it hurt.

10 COMMENDABLE ON-SCREEN ACCENTS by actors in Malayalam Movies

film Amaram

Accents and slangs are a part and parcel of language, and every region has their very own. In Kerala there are more number of accents than there are districts. Malayalam spoken in some regions in Kasargod can perplex the hell out of someone from Fort Kochi, and someone from Trivandrum might even get offended, and the bridge runs both ways. Yet in Malayalam Cinema, accents are a largely overlooked area. Apparently training in a regional accent has never been a mandate in preparing for films set there. Even when the scripts get the slang right, the actors mess up the accents. Obviously being able to effectively fake a foreign accent is a great gift and that not many have. But then there are always exceptions how much ever little, and some actors have long established it as their strong suit. Following is a list of some of the best efforts at faking different regional accents in Malayalam Cinema thus far.

100 PHOTOGRAPHIC MOMENTS FROM MALAYALAM FILMS thus far

film Akasha Gopuram

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.”

10 BOOK-TO-MOVIE ADAPTATIONS IN MALAYALAM worth your time

film Akam

Films that are adaptations of literary classics have never been received as well as those ones with original scripts. One major reason is the limitations that one man’s perception puts on the wild imaginings of countless readers that have already constructed the visual language individually in their minds. So it inadvertently has to be something that trumped these divergent visualizations. It only gets trickier when the literary works are more popular, as the success of its film adaptation heavily relies on appeasing a wider imaginative spectrum. Movie adaptations of famous books were a major draw in the Malayalam cinema since the 1950s, and it only grew rampant in the 60s. Although the fad slightly waned by the 70s, a few good adaptions graced us with their ingenuity every once in a while ever since. Following is a list of a handful of such book-to-movie adaptations in the Malayalam language that are worth your time.

50 ICONIC MOVIE QUOTES from Malayalam Films

Following is a list of some of the most notable one-liners, statements, quips, insults, puns, misquotes and punchlines from Malayalam films- conceived by our illustrious canon of screenwriters and brought to life by our brilliant line-up of actors- that are especially distinguished for its durable impact, comedic brilliance and unlimited quotability, and lives on in popular culture through its widespread and constant use.

15 BEST SHOBANA PERFORMANCES in Malayalam films

film Innale

Regarded in the highest echelon of Indian actors, Shobana has had a long and distinguished career in films in various languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English. She has won the National Award for best actress twice, and is also the recipient of the coveted Padma Shri for her outstanding contributions to classical dance. An idol to a majority of the current breed of young actors and aspirants alike, she is a force of nature for those who truly know her work. Following is a list of some of her best performances in Malayalam films.

25 MALAYALAM MOVIES FROM THE 1980s you don’t want to miss

film Nadodikattu

One of the most sought after decades by filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike, the coveted 1980s were an absolute treat in the Malayalam Cinema. There was no dearth to quality subject matter or their brilliant executions, which is why a major part of the so-called golden era of Malayalam films is proudly placed in here. Following is a list of some of the best films from the 1980s you absolutely don’t want to miss.

12 MALAYALAM MOVIES BASED ON FAMOUS PLAYS

film Kaliyattam

Kerala has a lingering and deep-rooted tradition of theatre, dating back to the aristocratic days of Ashtapadiyattom, Koodiyattom, Krishnanattom and finally Ramanattom that would further evolve into the distinguished Kathakali. However these forms of art that back then catered only to the blue-blooded tastes of the privileged, slowly began to take up the cause of the suppressed and the downtrodden with the advent of our very own renaissance, although in its most primitive form and simpler techniques. It gradually evolved through the ups and downs as strong voices against all social injustices, perfecting the form as it progressed. Then the revolutionary theatre movement called the Kerala People’s Art Club, popularly known as KPAC, came into being, and acceptance of plays as works of art as well as strong medium of expression increased. With the prominence of films as the newest medium of art, many of their plays were successfully adapted to the silver screen, and the trend continues to this day, even if it was a non-KPAC play or a non-Malayalam play. Following is a list of such Malayalam films based on famous plays that you should check out just in case you are a huge fan of the theatre.

10 OF THE FUNNIEST CAMEOS IN MALAYALAM FILMS

film Gandharvam

Cameo roles in films, variously known in India as “guest appearance”, “special appearance” or “friendly appearance” is a brief role by a known actor in a film in which he or she is not a part of the main cast. The lengths of such roles are varying in degrees of ‘short’, as well as the number of times they appear on screen. Some of them take you by surprise, while some others despite their short-lived screen presence make a lasting impression on the entire film, and yet others are remembered for their priceless comic timing in the briefest of appearances. We know how difficult it is to pull off good comedy. It must only be worse when the time to affect it is shorter. There are a few brilliant cameos in Malayalam films that are still cherished for their hilarious timings. Following is a list of such roles- some impactful, some evergreen, and some others outright hysterical- in Malayalam films, we will never forget.

10 MALAYALAM THRILLER FILMS that will keep you on the edge till the very end

film Mumbai Police

Thrillers have always been one of the most popular genres in storytelling as there is not another variety that is so naturally and quickly involving. There is a reason as to why Agatha Christie is literally the best selling novelist of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and why she is the most published, only behind Shakespeare and the Bible. Such is the reach of suspense and thriller stories. In movies, Hitchcock, the ‘Master of Suspense’, is still an all time favorite, and is one of the most revered filmmakers who specialized in suspense and thriller films. We have a fair share of thrillers in the Malayalam language as well, and the more recent exploration into the genre shows an increased number of promising films that commit to realistic execution of the same, successfully instilling suspense, anxiety, surprise, excitement and nail-biting anticipation in the viewers. Following is a list of such movies in the thriller genre in Malayalam that are worth your time, be it action, crime, psychological, legal or medical.

10 SPOT-ON PERFORMANCES BY ACTORS CAST AGAINST TYPE in Malayalam movies

film Vaishali

It is only understandable why it is extremely difficult to escape typecasting when it comes to film actors, as there is always a kind of role that a particular actor seemingly does better than the rest staying within the comfort zone. But every once in a while we see brave moves from a few of them at trying out roles diametrically opposite to their trademark image. There have been instances when it terribly backfired, like when Kavya Madhavan deplorably played a retard and slaughtered it. Then there are also times when with brilliant performances they show us a new side shining another part on their versatility spectrum. Following is a list of such incredibly bold casting where actors played characters totally against their type and remarkably owned it.

10 ROMANTIC FILMS IN MALAYALAM worth your time

film Annayum Rasoolum

The sheer idea of romance, in general, has never stopped being a part and parcel of Indian Cinema from the time of its very conception, let alone in the Malayalam language. Be it an action thriller, political satire or a murder mystery, romance somehow seemed to always make its way into even the unlikeliest of turfs. The protagonists are always expected to have a love interest, and they are invariably covered in the eventual scripts how much ever fleeting it may be. Romantic comedies are one of the most successful genres, and the sensational records of films of the likes of Thenmavin Kombath, Godfather and Chithram says a lot about their reach (which is why they will be accounted for in another list altogether). Even a complex film like Thoovanathumbikal that deals with a man’s tussle with the lines separating love and lust and his quest thereof is remembered more as a romantic film although it’s so much more than that. Then there are those serious romantic films mostly falling in the drama genre, where love between the lead characters is the main focus. However there always seem to be a level of associated schmaltziness that requires some quality taming for a decent output with these types, call it jinx or occupational hazard (that jaded films like Madanolsavam and Aniyathipravu), but there certainly is a handful of those ones too. Following is a list of some such films that stays clear of the corny and that are totally worth your time if you are a fan of the genre.