Malikappuram emerges as the first Malayalam superhit of 2023, becomes Unni Mukundan’s highest-grossing film

Malikappuram reportedly collected over Rs 10 crore from Kerala box office alone since its release

Unni Mukundan in a still from Malikappuram

Malayalam star Unni Mukundan began this year with a bang. The actor’s latest movie Malikkapuram has already emerged as the first Malayalam superhit of 2023, with a Kerala box office collection exceeding Rs 10 crore since its release on December 30, 2022.

The movie’s box office collections have been seeing a rise since its release, with it peaking over the last weekend. The film, which is helmed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar, collected Rs 5 crore on December 8 (Sunday) alone with Rs 2.5 Crore from Kerala and the rest from other States and abroad, according to sources from the team.

Also read: Malikappuram movie review: Unni Mukundan's 'divine act' is the saving grace in this timepass entertainer

Malikappuram, which was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 3.75 crore, has already recovered its revenue and has now gone on to become the biggest hit in Unni’s career. The actor had last year also started with a superhit in Vishnu Mohan’s Meppadiyan, which was also produced by Unni.

The timing of the film’s release as well as its simple story that revolves around two children who undertake the Sabarimala pilgrimage has appealed to the family audience. Unni essays the role of a stranger named Ayyappadas, who comes at a specific point in the plot to help the children fulfil their wish of going to the Sabarimala temple and seeing Lord Ayyappan.

The movie is scripted by Abhilash Pillai, who had earlier written Night Drive and Pathaam Valavu. Apart from Unni, the movie also has extended cameos from Sampath Raj, Manoj K Jayan, Ramesh Pisharody, TG Ravi, Sreejith Ravi and Alphy. The two children in the film are essayed by Devanandha and Sripad.

Malikappuram is expected to have a good run for another week, with no major Malayalam releases scheduled to hit theatres. The film is also set to have its other-language releases in the coming days. Meanwhile, Unni’s previous movie Shefeekkinte Santosham began streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Manorama Max from December 6.

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