2018, Oh My Darling to Corona Papers, Anuragam: This week’s latest Malayalam theatre, OTT releases

May already promises to be a big month for the Malayalam film industry. One of the most anticipated movies of this year, director Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018, hit theatres on May 5 along with a feel-good family entertainer starring Gautham Vasudev Menon and Aswin Jose.

For those who had already caught up with Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: II and Fahadh Faasil’s Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum in theatres last week and are in the mood to stay home and watch movies on OTT, two films of varied genres – a crime thriller and a romcom with multiple twists – are have dropped online this week too.

Here’s the list of this week’s Malayalam releases in theatres and OTTs.

2018

Release platform: Theatre

Based on the Kerala floods of 2018, director Jude Anthany Joseph’s big budget film weaves several “unseen and unheard stories of unsung heroes” based on true incidents. The multi-starrer, which is scripted by Akhil P Dharmajan and Jude, has Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Lal, Narain, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sshivada, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali as part of its cast.

Also read: 2018 movie review: The Kerala story of hope and resilience, expertly crafted by Jude Anthany Joseph 

Oh My Darling

Release platform: Amazon Prime Video

After Joel, an indolent youth who leads a carefree life finds out that his girlfriend Jenny is pregnant, he is forced to change his ways. But further shocks and surprises await the duo as they have to confront difficult decisions in the next few months in their lives. The movie, helmed by Alfred D Samuel, has Anikha Surendran, Melvin G Babu, Mukesh, Lena and Johny Antony as part of the cast.

Also read: Oh My Darling review: Anikha Surendran, Melvin-starrer probably has the most absurd take on unintended pregnancy 

Corona Papers

Release platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Stray Dog and the Tamil movie 8 Thottakal, director Priyadarshan’s latest crime thriller, starring Shane Nigam, Siddique, Shine Tom Chacko, Jean Paul Lal and Gayathrie Shankar, revolves around a series of incidents that transpire between a group of cops and robbers, after a police gun is stolen and is used for a robbery and homicide during the pandemic lockdown.

Also read: Corona Papers review: Priyadarshan’s thriller about a missing gun and consequent crime spree largely misfires 

Anuragam

Release platform: Theatre

Directed by Shahad Nilambur, who had previously helmed Dhyan Sreenivasan’s Prakashan Parakatte, the feel-good family entertainer stars Gautham Vasudev Menon, Sheela, Lena, Aswin Jose, Gouri G Kishan and Devayani in pivotal roles. The movie marks Gautham Vasudev Menon’s second Malayalam movie this year, after Lovefully Yours Veda.