The whole of India was looking at the Malayalam film industry to give us some of the best gems of the year. And as usual, we were not disappointed. From content-driven films like ‘Aavasvyuham’ and ‘Ariyippu‘ to masala blockbusters like ‘Bheeshma Parvam‘ and ‘Kaduva’ to unusual films like ‘Thallumaala‘ and ‘Nna Than Case Kodu’, the industry gave us all sorts of different films.
While small films like ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey‘ went on to become huge successes, much-anticipated films like ‘Aarattu’ and ‘Gold’ crashed and burned in the theatres. Take a look at all the production houses and their major distribution ventures to figure out the top Mollywood production house of 2022:
Aashirvad Films had two direct-to-OTT films via Hotstar- ‘Bro Daddy’ and ’12th Man’- both appreciated by the audience. While its ‘Monster’ was a miss, the company had a major comeback by co-producing the Hindi box office monster ‘Drishyam 2’ starring Ajay Devgn.
Wayfarer Films was involved in the production of three main movies this year- ‘Salute’, ‘Puzhu‘ and ‘Pyali’ with the first two being direct-to-OTT releases. While ‘Salute’ was disappointing, ‘Puzhu’ and ‘Pyali’ received critical acclaim. The company distributed superhit ‘Rorshach‘, hit ‘Sita Ramam’ and dud ‘Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan’.
Ashiq Usman Productions produced two Tovino starrers- disaster ‘Dear Friend’ and blockbuster ‘Thallumaala’ while Fahadh Faasil and Friends had two releases- the disappointing survival drama ‘Malayankunju’ and hit ‘Paltu Janwar’.
Amal Neerad Productions produced the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year- Mammootty’s action drama ‘Bheeshma Parvam’ while Merryland Cinemas’ solo release was the hit coming-of-age drama ‘Hridayam’.
Anto Joseph Film Company’s only main release this year was ’19(1)(a)’ starring Nithya Menen and Vijay Sethupathi, a direct OTT release.
Sree Gokulam Movies produced the flop period drama ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’, the disaster ‘Jack N Jill’ and the superhit ‘Paappan’, and also distributed the hit Tamil magnum opus ‘PS-1’.
Mammootty Kampany, a new entrant made a great debut year. While ‘Rorshach’ was a monster hit at the box office, ‘Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam’ received unanimous acclaim upon its premiere at the IFFK.
Listin Stephen’s Magic Frames and Supriya Menon led Prithviraj Productions co-produced two of the five highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year- ‘Jana Gana Mana‘ and ‘Kaduva’ and also Gold, one of the biggest disappointments of the year. They also co-distributed two of the biggest other-language successful films in the state- ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ and ‘Kanthara’- and the theatrical flop ‘Kumari’.
Prithviraj Productions individually distributed ‘777 Charlie’ and also did the project design for the Mohanlal starrer ‘Bro daddy‘.
Individually, Listin Stephen’s ‘Magic Frames’ produced Jeethu Joseph’s crime thriller hit film ‘Kooman’ and distributed Kunchako Boban’s blockbuster comedy-drama ‘Nna Than Case Kodu’.The company also distributed average ventures like ‘Beast’, ‘Thiruchitrambalam’, ‘Aanaparambile World Cup’, ‘DSP’, ‘Gatta Kusthi’ and disasters ‘The Legend’ and ‘Godfather’.
From the above, it can be understood that despite a few questionable distribution choices, owing to a great partnership with Prithviraj Productions and big solo distribution ventures, the top production house in Mollywood in 2022 is undoubtedly Listin Stephen’s Magic Frames.
Stay tuned to Binged.com for more of our Yearenders.
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