New generation films is a Malayalam film movement developed in the early 2010s, characterized by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques. Films of the new wave differ from conventional themes of the past two decades and introduced several new trends and techniques to the Malayalam film industry. While the new generation formats and styles are deeply influenced by global trends, their thematics are firmly rooted in Malayalee life and mindscapes.
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty is a 2013 Indian Malayalam comedy film written and directed by Ranjith and starring Mammootty in the lead role of an Achayan from Kozhencherry, Central Travancore and also in a cameo as himself. The cast includes Nedumudi Venu and Balachandra Menon, Siddique, Harisree Asokan, Suresh Krishna, P. Balachandran, Balachandran Chullikad, Prem Prakash, Meera Nandan, Muthumani, Krishna Prabha and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The film was produced by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Santhosh Sivan, and Shaji Nadesan under the banner of August Cinema. The film was released on 8 August 2013 on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr and was a critical and commercial failure. However modern reception has been positive.
Gangster is a 2014 Malayalam language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Aashiq Abu. The film stars Mammootty in the lead role, along with Sekhar Menon, John Paul, Kunchan, T. G. Ravi, Nyla Usha and Aparna Gopinath, Alexx O'Nell, Hareesh Peradi and Dileesh Pothan in supporting roles. The film was written by Ahmed Sidhique and Abhilash S. Kumar, with music by Deepak Dev. The film was released on 12 April 2014. It received negative reviews from critics.
Dileesh Philip, also known as Dileesh Pothan is an Indian film director, actor and producer, who works in Malayalam cinema. He made his directorial debut with the 2016 comedy drama film Maheshinte Prathikaaram, starring Fahadh Faasil. The film received the Best Feature Film in Malayalam Award at the 64th National Film Awards. Pothan also won the Best Director Award at the 64th Filmfare Awards South.
Maheshinte Prathikaaram is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Dileesh Pothan, in his directorial debut and produced by Aashiq Abu. The film stars Fahadh Faasil in the title role alongside a supporting cast including Aparna Balamurali, Anusree, Alencier Ley Lopez and Soubin Shahir. Written by Syam Pushkaran, the story is based on an incident in the life of Thampan Purushan from Thuravoor, Cherthala. Shyju Khalid was the film's cinematographer, and the music was composed by Bijibal.
Soubin Shahir is an Indian actor and director who works in Malayalam cinema. He began his film career as an assistant director in 2003 and worked under several directors. Soubin made his acting debut in 2013 with a supporting role in Annayum Rasoolum. He made his directorial debut with the drama Parava (2017). In 2018, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his leading role in Sudani from Nigeria, the film was also a major commercial success.
Hareesh Perumanna, known by his stage name Hareesh Kanaran, is an Indian comedian and film actor who appears in Malayalam films. He is best known for his stock character Jaliyan Kanaran which first appeared in Comedy Festival, a comedy reality show in Mazhavil Manorama.
Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod and produced by 100th Monkey Movies. It stars Biju Menon in the lead role with Aju Varghese and Hannah Reji Koshy playing supporting roles. The songs and background score are composed by Bijibal. The plot follows Baiju, a local sports club patron as he tries to resolve various issues taking place in their village in Kerala.
Comrade in America is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language adventure film directed by Amal Neerad, starring Dulquer Salmaan and Karthika Muralidharan in the lead roles. The music is composed by Gopi Sundar, and Renadive handles the cinematography. The film released on 5 May 2017, also the birth date of Karl Marx. It received mixed to positive reviews from critics and became a box office success. The film revolves around the travel of Aji, a communist from Kerala who travels to the United States illegally via Latin America and the Mexican border to get to his girlfriend Sarah in time before she is forced to marry another person.
Tharangam (transl. Wave) is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy black comedy film directed by Dominic Arun in his directorial debut. It was the first Malayalam film produced by Dhanush under his banner Wunderbar Films, and starring Tovino Thomas, Balu Varghese, Santhy Balachandran in the lead roles. Ashwin Renju is the music director. The film was released in India on 29 September 2017.
Kuttanadan Marpappa is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Sreejith Vijayan. The cast includes Kunchacko Boban, Surabhi Santosh, Aditi Ravi, Innocent, Ramesh Pisharody, and Dharmajan Bolgatty. Kuttanadan Marpappa was released in India on 29 March 2018.
Padayottam is an Indian Malayalam-language black comedy gangster film directed by Rafeek Ibrahim, with Biju Menon in the lead role. The film was remade in Telugu as Anaganaga Oka Rowdy (2021) starring Sumanth.
Ennaalum Sarath..? is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language suspense drama film written and directed by Balachandra Menon and starring himself along with debutants Charlie Joe, Nitya Naresh, and Parvathy Arun. The film was released on 27 July 2018.
Oru Yamandan Premakadha is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama spoof film directed by B. C. Noufal and written by Bibin George and Vishnu Unnikrishnan. It stars Dulquer Salmaan, Nikhila Vimal, Soubin Shahir, Salim Kumar and Vishnu Unnikrishnan in the lead roles. The film's production began on 3 July 2017 and was completely shot in Kochi. It was released on 25 April 2019.
Rosapoo is a 2018 Malayalam-language comedy-drama film produced by Shibu Thameens under Thameens Films. The film stars Biju Menon and Neeraj Madhav in the lead roles along with Soubin Shahir, Anjali, Alencier Ley Lopez and Vijayaraghavan. The film is directed by Vinu Joseph. The film's music is composed by Sushin Shyam. The film was based on a story written by Vinu Joseph. The film portrays the porn movie market that boomed in the 2000–2010 decade.
Vikruthi (transl. Mischief) is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Emcy Joseph and produced by A. D. Sreekumar, Ganesh Menon and Lakshmi Warrier. The film stars Suraj Venjarammoodu and Soubin Shahir in the lead roles. The film is based on true events that occurred on a Kochi Metro train, where a picture of a sleeping hearing/speech-impaired man was taken and shared online by a passenger assuming he was drunk. It upsets the man and his family after it goes viral. The film was released on 4 October 2019. The film was remade in Tamil as Payanigal Gavanikkavum.
Valiyaperunnal is a 2019 Indian Malayalam language romantic crime comedy-drama film, the first film directed by Dimal Dennis. It was scripted jointly by Dennis and Thasreeq Abdul Salam. The film has Shane Nigam in the lead role, along with Himika Bose, Joju George, Soubin Shahir, Vinayakan, Alencier Ley Lopez, Captain Raju and Dharmajan Bolgatty in other pivotal roles. The movie was released on 20 December 2019 in India and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Kiran Das is an Indian film editor who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. He is a recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor in 2019 for the movie Ishq. His other notable works include Joji, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Joseph and Ambili
Meow is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by Lal Jose and written by Iqbal Kuttippuram. It stars Soubin Shahir and Mamta Mohandas. The film is about a non-resident Indian businessman named Dasthakir who lives in the United Arab Emirates. He is from Aluva and hates cats. The film was shot in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Mashar Hamsa is an Indian costume designer from Kerala, who works in the Malayalam films. He started his career as a film costume designer in 2013 with the movie Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi. As of April 2023, Mashar has designed costumes for more than 30 Malayalam films. He is a recipient of 2020 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for best costume designer for the movie Trance.
