Best of 2022: Mammootty’s Bheeshma Parvam to Tovino Thomas’ Thallumaala, Malayalam films that set the bar high

Mollywood is probably one of the few film industries that has adapted quickly to the changing viewing sensibilities of the audience, post pandemic. The reason for this is arguably the strength of its content-driven films, made all the more striking by the writers and technicians of the industry. Combine that with the backing of stars such as Mammootty, Kunchacko Boban and Tovino Thomas, Malayalam cinema has had a great year in terms of continuing the trend of coming up with films that are very much contemporary and define the new era of movie viewing.

It's tough to narrow down the list of just 10 best films, especially in a year when Malayalam cinema had gems such as Mammootty’s Rorschach, Tovino’s Dear Friend, Kunchacko’s Pada, Shane Nigam and Revathy’s Bhoothakalam.

Also read: Worst of 2022: Mohanlal’s Monster to Nivin Pauly’s Saturday Night, Malayalam films that were epic disappointments 

Here's a look at some of the best Malayalam movies to release in 2022 and the surprising trend is that not all of them feature superstars and yet have managed to crack the box office, a heartening trend that many would hope continues in the coming years.

Bheeshma Parvam

This was undoubtedly Mammootty’s year and he kicked it off with his much-awaited collaboration with Amal Neerad. This film, a mash-up of The Godfather and Mahabharatha, played to the galleries, but in the subtlest of ways. It was a refined ‘mass’ gangster film that showed why Amal is a genius when it comes to showcasing his heroes as larger-than-life figures and why Mammootty can add gravitas to a role like none other can.

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar

Thallumaala

What happens when some of the most brilliant minds of Malayalam cinema get together to make a ‘mass’ all-out entertainer – Thallumaala. Brilliantly conceived by Muhsin Parari and Ashraf Hamza and expertly directed by Khalid Rahman, the film serves as a textbook in editing, acting, writing and most importantly, filmmaking. Packed with stylish action scenes and high moments, the makers have pushed Tovino to the max, and thereby also unearthing more potential in the superstar.

Streaming on: Netflix

Puzhu

Director Ratheena’s Puzhu is almost a marked changing of guards in Malayalam cinema, in the sense of what superstars are now open to doing with the existence of OTT platforms. That the film was beautifully crafted further added confidence to the venture. Mammootty shines as a character who is all grey in his OTT debut, which addresses relevant issues in the most hard-hitting manner. Parvathy Thiruvothu and Appunni Sasi’s characters leave an indelible mark, even after the movie is over.

Streaming on: Sony LIV

Ariyippu

Director Mahesh Narayanan lays aside his gimmicks of commercial cinema to flesh out a tale that has its protagonists, who are already enduring hardships, facing a crisis that would make or break them. The filmmaker keeps the storytelling as simple as possible, focusing on the emotions and reactions of its characters, brilliantly portrayed by Kunchacko and Divya Prabha, when they are faced with the most trying of circumstances. And yet he never minces any emotions, which keep you glued to the screens.

Streaming on: Netflix

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey

Director Vipin Das and his co-writer rubbished the first draft of this film as it dealt with a serious issue in a sombre tone that they thought it deserved. They then began writing a more commercial version of the film, which is about a woman’s fight against patriarchy. The result was a hilarious movie that is led by some top-draw performances from its lead actors Darshana Rajendran and Basil Joseph, as well as some fantastic supporting actors. The film overtook some heavyweights to figure in the top 6 highest grossing Malayalam movies this year.

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar (December 22)

Hridayam

Split into two chapters in the life of its protagonist Arun, Vineeth Sreenivasan’s directorial served as a coming-of-age drama soaked in nostalgia and every element of feel-good films that one has come to expect from the filmmaker. Aided by an astounding soundtrack featuring 15 tracks and spellbinding performances from its lead actors Pranav Mohanlal, Darshana Rajendran and Kalyani Priyadarshan, Hridayam broke records even when it was playing in theatres right after the Omicron threat amid 50% occupancy. It was such a rage and deservedly so!

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar

Nna Thaan Case Kodu

Director Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval’s satire had the audience laughing, rooting for its protagonist and at the end of it, even drawing parallels to what’s happening in the real world. Not a lot of entertainers manage to do that. Kunchacko, who is on a dream run in 2022, once again puts his best foot forward to play a former thief, who has to surpass the society’s judgments before he actually wins a legal one. And to do that he has to push mountains. Nna, Thaan Case Kodu served as a mirror to what a common man is capable of.

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar

Appan

Director Maju, through his film starring Alencier Ley and Sunny Wayne, uses nuances in a dysfunctional relationship between the patriarch and his family to showcase that when it comes to blood, everything is complex. The dark comedy-drama is filled with tense moments and intriguing scenes that are made even more gripping thanks to Alencier, who essays the diabolical father clinging on to life even those around him wish him dead. But what makes Appan truly stand out is how Maju also extracts poignant moments out of the father’s misdeeds.

Streaming on: Sony LIV

Attention Please

For a movie to work well, Jithin Issac Thomas, who had also helmed a featurette in the anthology Freedom Fight earlier this year, showed that an engaging story is more than enough. In Attention Please, there is more than one and each is connected by the aspiring screenwriter’s struggles and how he is perceived by those around him. It’s a film in which the discerning audience can find layers and layers of information and the acting by Vishnu Govind and the relative newcomers are top notch.

Streaming on: Netflix

Jana Gana Mana

Prithviraj Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu put on an acting masterclass in Dijo Jose Antony’s investigative thriller-turned-courtroom drama, but it’s the writing that is the true star in this film. The socio-political thriller asks relevant questions that prod the audience, especially by showing how certain elements in the society play a role in shaping the perception of a larger social conscience. Prithviraj is masterful in his portrayal as a lawyer, who was once a victim, and his performance is what takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride in the second half.

Streaming on: Netflix