A clear shift is underway in the Malayalam film industry. Once known primarily for its realistic and artistic storytelling, Mollywood is now embracing commercial cinema with open arms.
Mass entertainers are being made more frequently—and they’re also delivering strong box office results. Yet, Malayalam cinema continues to lead in terms of fresh, high-quality content, with many of South India’s most talked-about films in recent times emerging from this industry.
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Another trend gaining momentum is how young actors are starting to outshine even the biggest stars. A recent example perfectly highlights this change.
On April 10, Mammootty’s highly anticipated film Bazooka hit theaters amid strong expectations.
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On the same day, a low-profile film titled Alappuzha Gymkhana, featuring young actors Naslen, Ganapathi Poduval, and Lukman Avaran, also released. Compared to Mammootty’s star power, Alappuzha Gymkhana had very little pre-release buzz.
Surprisingly, Alappuzha Gymkhana outperformed Bazooka at the box office on day one. While Bazooka collected 2.21 crore, Alappuzha Gymkhana pulled in 2.70 crore.
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As per trade reports, the final figures are 3.25 crore for Bazooka and an impressive 7 crores for Alappuzha Gymkhana. These numbers shocked many and clearly indicate that today’s Malayalam audience values content over star power.
This outcome reinforces the fact that strong storytelling and a fresh presentation hold more weight than hype. The success of Alappuzha Gymkhana is a powerful reminder that in Mollywood, content still wears the crown.
