997 Malayalam Films to Watch

Stop Violence

2002 • 114 min

Gangster Saathan's life changes after a serious crime, and he develops feelings for Angelina. However, their relationship is opposed by his gang leader, leading to conflict and consequences.

5.0

6.2

Monsoon Mangoes

2016 • 132 min

D.P. Pallickal, an enthusiastic amateur filmmaker, believes he's destined for cinematic greatness. Driven by passion, D.P. Struggles with a lack of skill, leading to frequent ridicule from his family and friends who mock his poorly made short films.

6.2

6.5

Zachariayude Garbhinikal

2013 • 116 min

Zachariayude Garbhinikal is a 2013 Malayalam comedy-drama film written and directed by Aneesh Anwar. It follows the life of a gynaecologist and the experiences of five women who enter his life. Lal plays the gynaecologist, with Rima Kallingal, Sanusha, Geetha,…

6.2

5.9

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Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam

2019 • 125 min

A respected and beloved parish priest is abducted by criminals after he witnesses a murder, and held captive in a secret location.

6.1

6.5

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Maradona

2018 • 148 min

Fleeing difficult circumstances, a young Diego Maradona arrives in Bangalore to live with relatives he barely knows. Unfortunately, his troubles only intensify during his time there.

6.2

Adutha Chodyam

2019 • 120 min

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8.3

Minnaminuginum Minnukettu

1995 • 130 min

Radhika agrees to marry Jayan as a way to repay debts incurred from college events.

5.5

6.2

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Kuttikalundu Sookshikkuka

2016 • 130 min

Military officer Gautam Kesav and businesswoman Shahida enjoy a happy life with their two sons, Neeraj and Niranjan. Despite coming from different religious backgrounds, their marriage is strong. A playful act by Neeraj and Niranjan unintentionally causes problems that extend…

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6.1

Pranchiyettan & The Saint

2010 • 147 min • Budget $385K • Box office $1M

Comedy, Family

Pranchiyettan, a devoted follower of St. Francis of Assisi, achieves great wealth but remains unfulfilled by his fame. He decides to actively cultivate a celebrity persona within society.

7.1

8.2

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Paithrukam

1992 • 123 min

This film explores the conflict between a traditional Brahmin family's deeply held beliefs and the growing presence of atheism within their community.

6.5

7.8

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Rangam

1985 • 145 min

Appunni, a Kathakali performer, has long loved his cousin, Chandramathi, a classical dancer. Her life changes when Madhavan, the son of the Kathakali troupe owner, returns from Russia and they fall in love and marry. Soon after, Mahalakshmi arrives –…

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7.0

Elippathayam

1982 • 115 min

In rural Kerala, Unni, the final male descendant of a declining aristocratic family, struggles to adapt to modern times. As society shifts, he increasingly isolates himself, consumed by suspicion and fear.

7.1

7.5

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Aranyakam

1988 • 120 min

When powerful landowners attempt to take advantage of the local tribes, a group of rebels fights back. The landowners then decide to crush the rebellion. Who will win the struggle for what's right?

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7.3

Chakkikotha Chankaran

1989 • 130 min

Raghavan Thampi (Thilakan) and his wife Subhadra (Sukumari) have two sons, Prabhakaran (Nedumudi) and Pradeep (Jayaram). Prabhakaran aspires to be a mridungam virtuoso, a path his parents disapprove of, preferring marriage for him. When Prabhakaran resists their wishes, Subhadra emotionally…

7.5

7.1

Olappeeppi

2016 • 121 min

Olappeeppi tells the story of an everyday Malayali family and the evolving social and economic landscape of Kerala from the 1970s to the 2000s. The film, named for the colors of the past, follows a boy named Unni and his…

7.0

7.1

Android Kunjappan Version 5.25

2019 • 134 min

Comedy, Drama

In rural India, Bhaskara’s life is defined by tradition. His world shifts when his son takes a job overseas, promising to stay in touch. But his son returns with a robotic companion as a gift. Bhaskara is skeptical at first,…

7.4

8.0

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Nirnayakam

2015 • 112 min

Ajay (Asif Ali) is a National Defense Academy student with dreams of joining the military. His father, Sidharth Sankar, a prominent lawyer in Kochi, requires Ajay's assistance while handling a legal case. Amidst these circumstances, Saral (Malavika Mohanan) enters Ajay’s…

6.7

6.9

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Salt N' Pepper

2011 • 132 min

Kalidasan, a man passionate about food, answers a phone call meant for someone else. He discovers the caller, Maya, shares his love of food and cooking. They quickly form a connection and begin to develop romantic feelings for one another.

7.2

7.4

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Samooham

1993

This film tells the story of a young Malayalee woman and her childhood sweetheart. Their relationship faces challenges as she gains influence and success.

5.8

6.9

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Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum

1996 • 115 min

Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum is a 1996 Indian Malayalam film directed by Anil-Babu. It stars Jayaram, Shobhana, Harishree Ashokan, and Jagathy Sreekumar in the main roles. The music was composed by Achu Rajamani and B. A. Chidambaranath.

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5.9

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Thaniyavarthanam

1987 • 119 min

Balan, a teacher, lives with his mentally unstable uncle. The family has long believed they are cursed to have a madman in their midst. Following his uncle's death, Balan finds himself under suspicion, with many believing he is destined to…

7.6

8.9

Njan Piranna Naattil

1985 • 121 min

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6.7

Cocktail

2010 • 111 min

Ravi Abraham is a successful architect enjoying a peaceful life with his wife Parvathy and daughter Ammu. Their world is disrupted when a stranger, Venketesh, requests a ride in Ravi’s car.

6.7

7.2

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Udaharanam Sujatha

2017 • 126 min

Sujatha works tirelessly in multiple jobs – houses and factories – to fund her daughter Athira’s education. But Athira doubts the value of schooling, convinced she's destined to repeat her mother's life as a domestic worker. Heartbroken, Sujatha desperately searches…

7.1

7.3

Ayalathe Adheham

1992 • 142 min

Premachandran begins to doubt himself as a husband when he notices his wife, Sulochana, believes the couple next door has a perfect marriage.

6.7

6.9

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Varnyathil Aashanka

2017 • 137 min

Four men plot a jewelry heist during a day of strikes in Thrissur. Their plans are thrown into disarray when a drunken man unexpectedly joins their crew, leading to chaotic and comedic situations.

6.7

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Angadikkappurathu

1985

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6.6

Oraalppokkam

2015 • 113 min

Following a catastrophic flood in the Himalayas, a man embarks on a journey to find his girlfriend, with the underlying goal of finding meaning in his life.

5.3

6.7

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Ghazal

1993 • 143 min

"Ghazal" is a romantic Malayalam film set against the social backdrop of the Malabar region in the 1940s. Directed by Kamal, the film stars Vineeth and Mohini in the lead roles, with Thilakan in a supporting part.

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6.3

The Tiger

2005 • 152 min

Senior government official Varma is on the verge of exposing a widespread corruption scheme when he is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Officer Chandrashekhar is assigned to investigate the death and uncover the truth behind it.

5.9

6.7

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22 Female Kottayam

2012 • 122 min • Budget $400K • Box office $500K

Crime, Drama, Romance

Tessa, a young nurse, is betrayed by her lover, Cyril, and sexually assaulted by his employer. After her release from prison, she seeks revenge on those who wronged her.

7.3

7.4

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Chamayam

1993 • 138 min

Esthappan and Anto are fishermen who have a difficult relationship. When Esthappan discovers Anto's talent for singing and dancing, he asks Anto to perform in his stage productions.

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7.5

Ayal Jeevichirippundu

2017 • 140 min

John Mathew (Vijay Babu), a Booker Prize-winning novelist, is vacationing in Goa and struggling to find inspiration for his next book. While there, he meets Murukan (Manikandan), a fisherman from Kerala. The two men connect and decide to travel together.

10.0

7.8

Pattabhishekam

1999 • 130 min

To pay off his debts, Vishnu takes a job as a veterinarian at a palace, posing as a real doctor. However, he quickly encounters a series of unexpected difficulties.

6.6

6.4

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Samantharangal

1998 • 112 min

This is the story of Ismail, a hardworking and honest station master who values a simple life, and his son Najeeb. Eighteen years old but still immature, Najeeb dreams of wealth and entrepreneurship. He asks his father for 10,000 rupees…

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7.6

Olympian Anthony Adam

1999 • 153 min

Police officer Antony assumes the identity of a teacher and enrolls at the school where terrorist Mammen's daughter attends. He then deceives Mammen by telling him his daughter is sick, intending to lure him into a trap.

5.6

6.6

Sainyam

1993 • 150 min

This is the story of Group Captain Eashwar, a 35-year-old unmarried officer in the Indian Air Force with a passion for research. He dedicates himself to "Red Alert," a project focused on restoring condemned aircraft. Wing Commander Zakir (Mukesh) assists…

7.1

6.4

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Sapthamashree Thaskaraha

2014 • 140 min

Seven men, who formed bonds while incarcerated, discover a shared history with a fraudulent con man. They resolve to rob him of his accumulated wealth.

6.4

6.9

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Naadodikal

1959

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6.0

Marmaram

1982 • 129 min

A school headmaster develops feelings for a music teacher. The teacher's husband is a political activist.

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6.9

Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala

1998 • 158 min

Vijayan, a village schoolteacher, is convinced his economics degree guarantees business success. He frequently takes extended leave to pursue various ventures, but each scheme he undertakes ends in complete failure.

7.0

8.0

Cherathukal

2021 • 140 min

Six stories exploring various facets of love.

4.7

7.7

Hey Jude

2018 • 146 min

Jude embodies the inherent goodness in people and the beauty of life. Others find him enigmatic, but unexpected events lead him to new experiences that help him overcome his reservations.

6.1

6.8

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Apoorvaragam

2010 • 152 min

*Apoorvaragam* follows the story of three young people: Roopesh (Nishan), Nancy (Nithya), and Tommy (Asif Ali). Roopesh has long harbored feelings for Nancy but hasn't found the courage to tell her. For Nancy, love is an unspoken feeling. Tommy acts…

6.6

6.3

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Bhramaram

2009 • 150 min

Unni, a successful stockbroker, enjoys a comfortable life with his family. His peaceful existence is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a childhood friend.

7.6

7.4

Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam

1989 • 122 min

This film explores the dreams of residents in a retirement home and the caretaker who begins to connect with them.

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6.0

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Naran

2005 • 165 min

Orphan Velayudhan is respected by his village for protecting it from trouble. However, the local moneylender and politician become envious of his popularity and plot to eliminate him.

6.2

7.3

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T.D. Dasan Std. VI B

2010 • 102 min

In a village, a mother, Chandrika, and her eleven-year-old son, Dasan, have made a life for themselves. Chandrika's husband, Divakaran, abandoned them when Dasan was just a baby. She has since raised him alone. Dasan, however, constantly dreams of his…

6.7

7.4

Kettiyollaanu Ente Maalakha

2019 • 135 min

Sleevachan, a farmer who struggles with interactions with women, marries Rincy. Following the advice of his friends, he becomes intoxicated and rapes her one night, leading to her departure from him.

6.4

7.5

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Parankimala

1981 • 120 min

Parankimala is a 1981 Indian Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and produced by M. O. Joseph. It stars Sukumari, Nedumudi Venu, Achankunju, and Bahadoor, with music composed by G. Devarajan.

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6.3

Nidra

1981 • 102 min

Aswathy chooses to marry Raju, her childhood friend who has a mental illness. However, her life changes when his behavior becomes unusual.

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6.5

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The Journey

2004 • 107 min

In a peaceful Indian village where arranged marriages are the norm, Kiran finds herself increasingly troubled by her attraction to the vibrant and outgoing Delilah.

4.5

6.8

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Palangal

1981 • 140 min

Usha (Zarina Wahab) seeks refuge with her sister after a devastating loss: the accidental death of her lover, Ravi (Shankar). While there, she encounters Ramankutty (Nedumudi Venu), a friend of Vasu Menon (Bharath Gopi), her sister's husband. A friendship blossoms…

6.0

6.8

Sandhya Mayangum Neram

1983 • 113 min

This film explores the inner life of a judge as he approaches retirement. It examines the feelings and reflections that come with this significant life transition.

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6.0

Aalorukkam

2018 • 114 min

Pappu Pisharadi, an elderly man, has been tirelessly searching for his son, who disappeared sixteen years ago. While at a hospital, he meets Dr. Seetha Priyan, who offers to assist him in locating his lost son.

7.3

6.5

No. 20 Madras Mail

1990 • 177 min

Three friends on a train journey to Madras are wrongly accused of a murder. They flee and must desperately find the actual killer.

6.2

7.7

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Venkalam

1993 • 138 min

The story follows two brothers.

7.0

7.3

Ente Sooryaputhrikku

1991 • 130 min

Maya, the privileged daughter of a wealthy man, and her friends target Dr. Srinivas for ridicule. He retaliates with a harsh insult, calling her fatherless. This sparks a revelation: Maya was adopted as a baby, and her biological mother is…

7.0

6.9

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Olangal

1982

Years ago, Ravi Chattana found love with Rita in a remote village, but life pulled them apart. Ravi later married and had a daughter, seemingly content. However, an unexpected phone call and a meeting with the parish priest reveal a…

7.0

7.6

Devasuram

1993 • 160 min

Action, Drama

Neelakantan is perceived by society as a powerful heir, but his life changes when he meets a dancer and dismisses her talent. They unexpectedly connect, developing a love for each other. However, Shekharan, a long-time rival, uses this connection to…

7.1

8.7

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Vidhi

2021 • 124 min

Inspired by the true events surrounding the demolition of unauthorized apartment buildings in Maradu, Kerala, Vidhi tells two interconnected stories. Alongside the central narrative of the flat demolition, the film explores the tragic murders of a tribal colony in Wayanad…

8.0

3.7

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Ilayaraja

2019 • 122 min

Vanajan lives a simple life with his family – his father is ill, and he supports his wife and children. His life changes when his moneylender presents him with an unexpected proposition.

6.0

7.5

Pranayam

2011 • 139 min

Menon unexpectedly encounters his ex-wife, Grace, who is devoted to her husband, Mathew, who is severely ill. The film explores their reunion and examines the complexities of love in its different expressions.

7.4

7.5

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Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha

1989 • 168 min

Drama, Action

Chanthu, a gifted but poor orphan from the warrior Chekavar clan, works as a hired duelist, settling disputes for the wealthy. His cousin Aromal, also a Chekavar, is jealous of Chanthu's talent and constantly bullies him. Looking for a mentor,…

6.9

8.7

Dheem Tharikida Thom

1986 • 139 min

Subru, an unassuming bank employee, is secretly in love with Rohini but too shy to tell her. His grandmother hopes he'll become a priest. Rohini works as a dancer with the Keerikkad ballet troupe, headed by Keerikkad Chellappan Nair. Following…

5.5

6.6

Swapnakoodu

2003 • 160 min

The carefree lives of three hotel management students in Pondicherry – Deepu, Moorthy, and Kunjoonju – are disrupted when they develop feelings for their landlord’s daughter, Kamala.

6.6

6.4

Odayil Ninnu

1965 • 146 min

From a young age, Pappu fiercely defends what's right. His protests against a teacher's favoritism towards the landlord's son result in him being ostracized and forced to leave home. He struggles to live by his principles, working as a rickshaw…

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8.3

Queen

2018 • 160 min

The film opens with the first Mechanical engineering class, exclusively for boys, beginning at a university. In their second year, a girl joins, becoming the sole female student in the department. As the story progresses, she captivates the entire class,…

6.4

6.8

Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

1986 • 137 min

Solomon develops feelings for Sofia, his new neighbor, but soon discovers she faces challenges within her family life.

7.2

8.5

Kaanekkaane

2021 • 120 min

Sherin, Paul's daughter, has passed away, and her husband, Allen, has started a new life with a new wife. During a visit to them, including his grandson, Allen begins to question the circumstances surrounding his daughter's death.

7.2

7.5

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Chidambaram

1985 • 103 min

Chidambaram is adapted from a short story by acclaimed Malayalam author C. V. Shriraman. The film is a symbolically rich examination of the pull between a man and a woman, leading to betrayal and ultimately, a state of agonizing guilt.

7.4

7.3

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Shutter

2012 • 134 min

Rasheed returns to Kozhikode from working in the Gulf to find his friend has trapped him in a commercial space with Thankam, a prostitute. The situation quickly deteriorates when his friend becomes unable to release him.

7.4

7.7

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Kaiyoppu

2007 • 95 min

A publisher, impressed by Balachandran's writing, encourages him to publish a book. But Balachandran finds himself deeply struggling with writer's block.

7.6

8.0

Yuvam

2021 • 119 min

Aby and his friends are easygoing lawyers who decide to take on a social cause after discovering their carelessness resulted in a death. Will they manage to achieve their goal?

5.2

6.2

Loudspeaker

2009 • 121 min

Mike Philippose, a naive and boisterous man with limited education, travels to a city to donate his organs to an elderly astrophysicist. His presence unexpectedly transforms the lives of those around him.

6.8

7.5

Mayookham

2005 • 157 min

Indira returns to her village after a long absence and is surprised to find her childhood friend Unni has become rebellious. Determined to help, she tries to offer him support and encourage him to change his life.

4.7

6.4

Peruvazhiyambalam

1979 • 95 min

*Peruvazhiyambalam* is a 1979 Malayalam film directed by P. Padmarajan, adapted from his own novel. It was Padmarajan's first directorial effort and launched Ashokan's acting career as the main character, Raman. The film offers a sharp look at how violence…

3.6

7.6

Joyful Mystery

2021 • 85 min

Maria, a young journalist, and Jithin, an aspiring actor, are in a relationship they keep secret from their parents. Against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, this relationship drama explores the complexities of their intense conflict and the sometimes illogical…

7.0

6.8

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Abrahaminte Santhathikal

2018 • 131 min

Police officer Derick Abraham is known for his dedication and skill. His life is upended when his brother, Philip, is arrested on false murder charges. Derick must then investigate the case to try and prove his brother's innocence and deliver…

5.7

6.6

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Amaram

1991 • 136 min

Achootty, a fisherman with limited schooling, hopes for a brighter future for his daughter Radha – he dreams of her becoming a doctor. However, his aspirations are jeopardized when Radha develops feelings for a childhood friend.

7.0

8.4

Azhakiya Ravanan

1996 • 153 min

Wealthy businessman Shankar Das returns to his village and finds himself in a complicated situation upon reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart, Anuradha. The story follows Shankar as he navigates this unexpected reunion and explores the possibility of a happy future…

7.3

7.4

Gandhinagar 2nd Street

1986 • 132 min

Sethu, a young man without work, faces constant job searching difficulties. When robberies begin occurring in his friend's area, he pretends to be a Gurkha soldier in order to secure a position as a security guard.

7.1

7.7

The King

1995 • 199 min

The King, a 1995 Malayalam action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Renji Panicker, stars Mammootty as a district collector.

7.1

7.6

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Aavanazhi

1986 • 153 min

Balram, a dedicated police inspector, struggles with alcohol and relationships after enduring personal setbacks. His resolve is tested when a criminal he arrested is acquitted. Determined to uphold justice, Balram resolves to continue his fight.

5.9

7.4

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Chilambu

1987 • 105 min

A young man, skilled in the martial art of Kalaripayattu from Kerala, journeys to reclaim his family heirloom – a traditional ornament called a Chilambu – from his uncle.

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7.0

Maya Mayooram

1993 • 140 min

In Bangalore, Nanda is deeply in love with Narendaran, a prominent architect. Following his death, Nanda accompanies his body to Kerala. There, she encounters Narendaran's twin brother, Unni, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. Suspecting that Narendaran might still…

6.6

6.7

The Truth

1998 • 142 min

"The Truth" follows a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) investigation into the bomb blast that killed the Chief Minister of Kerala.

5.8

7.2

Nandanam

2002 • 145 min

Balamani, a housemaid and devoted follower of Lord Guruvayurappan, develops feelings for the householder's grandson, Manu. Facing opposition from the entire family, Balamani prays to the Lord for help in forgetting him.

6.7

7.4

Kalikkalam

1990 • 128 min

Mammootty stars as a burglar known by various aliases. Despite his profession, he's a kind man who uses the money he steals to help those in need. During a heist, he witnesses a murder and discovers a police officer, Shekharan,…

7.1

7.2

Hitler

1996 • 153 min

Madhavan, a desirable bachelor, fiercely protects his five sisters. His life becomes complicated when his sisters unexpectedly turn against him, seemingly unable to appreciate his affection for them.

6.7

7.3

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Kaalal Pada

1989 • 122 min

A journalist investigates the killers of an income tax officer, facing numerous obstacles in his pursuit of the truth. Driven by a determination to uncover the culprits, he pushes forward despite the challenges.

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6.2

Johnnie Walker

1992 • 143 min

Johnnie has a close relationship with his brother, who lives in a different city. When his brother visits, he encourages Johnnie to resume his studies.

5.0

6.5

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Villain

2017 • 143 min

After a seven-month break, ADGP Mathew Manjooran returns to his job and promptly requests early retirement. On his final day, he investigates a triple murder case that involves a fellow police officer. As he digs deeper, a disturbing pattern emerges,…

6.0

6.1

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Lisa

1978 • 135 min

A quiet village girl is afflicted by a demon, prompting the arrival of an exorcist to intervene.

6.0

6.4

DAYDREAMS

2021 • 21 min

As part of an experiment, two beings are sent to Earth for a single day. They are cautioned against eating something referred to as the "forbidden fruit." Their actions are constantly monitored.

10.0

8.4

Vasthuhara

1991 • 103 min

"Vasthuhara," also known as "The Dispossessed," is a Malayalam social film by G. Aravindan. It portrays the lives of refugees who fled from East Bengal to West Bengal during the partition.

7.5

7.6

Operation Java

2021 • 146 min

Antony and Vinay Dasan, two skilled engineering graduates struggling to find work, get an unexpected opportunity. They offer a fresh approach to the cyber police investigating a film piracy case.

7.0

8.0

Once Again

2016 • 122 min

For years, a man has relied on his in-laws' financial support. Driven by desperation, he initiates a risky scheme that pulls his ordinary, middle-class family into a world of criminal activity.

6.0

5.9

News

1989 • 132 min

Rejected from a career as a police inspector, Rishi Menon establishes his own detective agency. His first case involves investigating the murder of a woman and the disappearance of a college student.

6.0

6.5

100

Thira

2013 • 113 min

Dr. Rohini Pranab, a doctor and advocate for vulnerable women who runs an NGO and shelter, becomes the target of human traffickers. Her shelter is attacked, and all the girls are abducted. Simultaneously, Naveen witnesses the kidnapping of his own…

7.0

7.3

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