Malayalam cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language, which is widely spoken in the state of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands of india. Malayalam cinema includes the commercial film industry, sometimes known as Mollywood, as well as independent cinema made in Malayalam. According to recent trends and critical acclaim, the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) is often considered the "best" film industry in India, known for its high quality storytelling, strong performances, and focus on social issues, even though the largest film industry in terms of viewership remains Bollywood
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian playback singer and musician who sings Indian classical, devotional and film songs. He is widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian music and a cultural icon of Kerala. Yesudas is estimated to have recorded more than 50,000 songs in various Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Tulu, Hindi, Odia, Bengali, Marathi as well as Arabic, English, Latin, and Russian, in a career spanning six decades. He is often referred to as Gaanagandharvan. Yesudas holds the record for singing 11 songs in different languages in a single day. He has also composed a number of Malayalam film songs during the 1970s and 1980s.
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam-language films. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five decades, he has appeared in more than 420 films, predominantly in lead roles. He is the recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, eleven Kerala State Film Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and fifteen Filmfare Awards South. He was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India in 1998, for his contributions to cinema. He was also honored with the Kerala Prabha Award by the Government of Kerala in 2022. Mammootty was named as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema" by CNN.
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his involvement in Indian cinema. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Priyadarshan has directed a portfolio of over 90 films in multiple Indian languages, predominantly Malayalam and Hindi, alongside notable works in Tamil and Telugu. His career has been decorated with several accolades, including three National Film Awards, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2012, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, producer and director primarily active in Malayalam cinema. He has also featured in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films, adding to over 100 films involving diverse genres and variety of roles. Prithviraj's accolades include a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, seven SIIMA Awards and a South Filmfare Award.
Biju Menon is an Indian actor who predominantly appears in Malayalam films, and also has a few Tamil and Telugu film credits. He made his debut in the 1994 Malayalam film Puthran. In a career spanning over two decades, he has appeared in over 150 films, and has won one National film award for Best Supporting Actor, three Kerala State Film Awards including one best actor, two Filmfare Awards South and nine Asianet Film Awards. He got the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2021 for the film Aarkkariyam.
Vineeth Radhakrishnan is an Indian actor, Bharatanatyam dancer, voice artist and choreographer who primarily works in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu language films. He has also appeared in a few Hindi and Kannada films. He has won several awards including 3 Kerala State Film Awards, Kalaimamani honour from Government of Tamil Nadu and Filmfare Award South nominations.
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, better known by his stage name Dileep, is an Indian actor, producer, comedian and entrepreneur who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry. He has also acted in Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films. He has won several awards, including Kerala State Film Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Jayabharathi is an Indian actress and two-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and National Film Award by Special Jury Award - Special Mention.
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor is an award, begun in 1969, presented annually at the Kerala State Film Awards of India to an actor for best performance in a Malayalam film. Until 1997, the awards were managed directly by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala. Since 1998, the awards have been constituted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous, non-profit institution functioning under the Department of Cultural Affairs. The awardees are decided by a jury constituted every year. They are announced by the Minister for Cultural Affairs and are presented by the Chief Minister.
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress is an award presented annually at the Kerala State Film Awards of India since 1969 to an actress for the best performance within the Malayalam film industry. Until 1997, the awards were managed directly by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Since 1998, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous non-profit organisation functioning under the Department of Cultural Affairs, has been exercising control over the awards. The awardees, decided by a jury formed by the academy, are declared by the Minister for Cultural Affairs and are presented by the Chief Minister.
Gulaab Gang is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language action drama film centered on the struggle of women in India, directed and co-written by Soumik Sen and produced by Sohum Shah and Anubhav Sinha. It stars Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla in lead roles, marking the first time that the two female superstars of the 1990s shared screen space together.
Lena Mohan Kumar, known by stage name Lenaa, is an Indian actress, author, and screenwriter who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Lenaa has worked in over 175 films in five different languages, including blockbusters as well as critically acclaimed films in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahad Fazil, professionally known as Fahadh Faasil, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Malayalam and Tamil films. Noted for his diverse portrayals, Fahadh is among the highest-paid and most popular Malayalam actors. Fahadh is a recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South.
Anumol is an Indian actress, predominantly acting in Malayalam and Tamil films. She appeared in Malayalam films such as Chayilyam (2014), Ivan Megharoopan (2012), Akam (2011), Vedivazhipadu (2013) and Jamna Pyari (2015).Her performance as Kuruvammal in 2023 Tamil web-series Ayali applauded by Critics and Audience.
Inspector Dawood Ibrahim, also known as IDI, is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Sajid Yahiya, who co-wrote the film with Arouz Irfan. It stars Jayasurya in the lead role with Sshivada, Yog Japee, Joju George and Sunil Sukhada playing supporting roles. The soundtrack and background score are composed by Rahul Raj. Sujith Sarang handles the cinematography, with editing by Shameer Muhammed.
Anarkali is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language romantic thriller film written and directed by Sachy and produced by Rajeev Nair. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Biju Menon with Priyal Gor, Miya George, Suresh Krishna, Arun, Sudev Nair, Kabir Bedi, and Samskruthy Shenoy in supporting roles. The music was composed by Vidyasagar. The plot follows Indian Navy officer Shanthanu who arrives at Kavaratti island.
My Life Partner is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by M. B. Padmakumar. It stars Sudev Nair, Ameer Niyas and Anusree Nair in the lead roles and features Sukanya, Geetha Vijayan and Valsala Menon in supporting roles. The film was produced by Rejimon for Kirthana Movies. The story deals with the deep and intricate emotional relationship between two men, Kiran and Richard, shedding light on mental attachment and emotional caring, rather than the sexual relationship.
Karinkunnam 6's is a 2016 Indian Malayalam sports drama film directed by Deepu Karunakaran and stars Manju Warrier and Anoop Menon. An ex-railway sportswoman who was a volleyball coach trains a group of prisoners portrayed by Babu Antony, Baiju, Padmaraj Ratheesh, Sudev Nair, Sudheer Karamana, Jacob Gregory, and Santhosh Keezhattoor. The musical score and songs are composed by Rahul Raj. It was released in Kerala on 6 July 2016. The film is a tribute to Jimmy George.
Kotthu (transl. Stab) is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by Hemanth Kumar. It was produced by Ranjith and P. M. Sasidharan. The film stars Asif Ali, Nikhila Vimal, Roshan Mathew, Ranjith, and Sreelakshmi in important roles. Jakes Bejoy composed the original score, while Kailas Menon composed the original songs. It also marks the comeback of Sibi Malayil after seven years. The film received mixed reviews and was a box office failure.
