The scenario is slowly changing. Malayalam film has started showing signs of life once again. Some of the problems came up during the last few weeks had fizzled out it self and some were resolved. Films released during these days fortunately remained in the theaters despite the World cup football fever and initial down pour of monsoon.

All the Malayalam films released after Vishu in April had collected well. Though artistically not desirable some of the films did become hits and the others collected more than the cost of production.

Phantom Paily, Oomappenninu Uriyaadaappayyan and Kuberan were the films released during the Vishu festival season. It did not collect in the initial weeks but in May viewers started flowing to theaters to see Phantom Paily. The third film directed by Biju Varkey has now completed 75th day in some premiere centers released and is continuing screening in villages. A dupe and stunt artist the character played by Mammooty had lifted the film slowly from its tortoises' pace. The location Marayoor, the life in picturesque high ranges and the comic situations helped the film get a life in its third week.

Vinayan did his usual tricks in telling the story of a dumb girl and boy extracting sympathy from viewers. It is once again proved that the average Malayali sensibility is centered on the tear jerking plots and sentimental drama when it comes to watching and enjoying films. It is a trait he inherited from the days of Muttathu Varkey who wrote such novels and film scripts as Inapravukal, a Satyan Sarada film of sixties. What Vinayan did was to introduce new actors and actresses to freshen up matinee symbols. He made use old melodies also.

Kuberan by Sunder Das attracted the children. Dileep and Samyuktha Varma along with a new girl Uma Sankari took the story to the victory stand. The low budget film had completed 50 days in main centers and still maintaining its power of pulling crowd mainly because of it's humorous situations.


Pakalppooram despite its lack of any artistic quality had a good run from the third week. It began as a horror story and ended up in comedy. Mainly Jagathy Sreekumar saved it though his comic numbers were old and repetitive. Harisree Asokan helped a lot to lift the film from becoming a flop. This film directed by Anil Babu is running after completing 80 days.

Onnaman by Thampi Kannanthanam, which presented Mohanlal with his usual tricks, did good business after second week. Having shot in many locations in separate schedules had made the film highly expensive. It may take a few days to recover the cost but it is trying hard. Director Thampi had accused the critics for its failure in the beginning though the film had not tried shown any thing new.

Kanmazhi with leading pair Vineethkumar and Nitya presents freshness for a story not unfamiliar. Director V M Vinu has Lady of success with him again. Jagathy and Kalabhavan Mani helped the film further to get a boost in box office.

Coming weeks will see more films releasing.

A dozen films are announced to go to shooting floor as well. There is no more concern in the Malayalam industry about a crash. But the critics and like feel that if the artistic quality of films are not improved Malayalam film cannot survive long.

The conflict between the associations of artists and producers is resolved for the time being and the decisions are expected to be implemented without any hassle. Definitely there are rejoinders from some quarters. Super star Suresh Gopi had come out with a statement saying the film chamber should first help him get back one and half crores of rupees as remuneration due from various producers. Other minor artists had accused the artists association that the settlement was just to get Dileep and Innocent out of the mess.


The last general body meeting of the artists had requested some film artists to stay back from acting in TV serials. They named Nedumudi Venu, Narendrapsrasad, Siddique, Sreevidya among others who are essential in mainstream films. The artists in general argue that they do not get enough roles to stay back in film through the year.


Production of TV serials and other TV programes by noted film persons might get terminated as per the understanding between the associations. 'Jwalayay' a TV serial produced by Mammootty had came to its natural end June last. It attracted the housewives and it made compulsory watching in the afternoons everyday for the last 520 days! It was a big success. It was not trash soap either. Ibrahim Kutty brother of Mammootty was associated equally in the production of this serial. Though he had acted in many TV serials Ibrahimkutty is not a film actor. The film chamber cannot impose its regulations on him if he wants to continue TV serial making. Perhaps name of Mammootty may not be used anymore. But Ibrahim kutty had already earned his name in this field.

Anyhow there is a streak of light in the way ahead, which gives everybody a relief. For the time being at least.