If you look at the last five years of Indian cinema then you would notice a steep rise in films that bank on regional identities. People are loving films that connect them to their roots. This has resulted in the wide acceptance of South Indian films in the North but the vice-versa is not true. Primarily because it is easier for Kollywood to show Tamil culture but such things are practically impossible for Bollywood. After all, what will Bollywood show? Phool Dei of Uttarakhand or Chhath of Bihar?
It is so much spread in the entirety of the North Indian region that it has no definite set of cultural things to show. That’s why you see films like Kantara, Ponniyin Selvan, and Karthikeya 2 highly successful in all of India. But the successful films of Bollywood are high-budget spectacles like Fighter, Pathaan or Jawan.
Amidst all these things, Mollywood or the Malayalam cinema has been silently mass-producing masterpieces. It is an absolute beast of a film industry that knows its craft so well that it gives a path-breaking film almost every month. Be it Drishyam or Bramayugam or even Minnal Murali, 2018 …etc, Malayalam films have pushed the sky higher.
However, the box office numbers are nowhere near the other film industries that produce far inferior films on average.
Why so?
Because they never ventured into films that would attract the masses to the big screens. But, a series is going to be so big and dreamy that it would become a landmark in the industry. If true, this anthology will change the face of the industry.
What’s it about?
It will be an MT Vasudevan Nair Anthology, presented by Kamal Haasan set to stream on Zee5 (not SonyLIV). The series, tentatively titled “Mindscapes,” brings together some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, and more.
1. Vilpana: This episode features Asif Ali, Madhubala, and Hindi actor Ujwan Chopra.
2. Olavum Theeravum: This is a remake of the 1970 film directed by PN Menon. The original starred Madhu in the lead role. In Priyadarshan’s new version, Mohanlal will take on the lead role, accompanied by Durga Krishna. Uniquely, this film will be shot entirely in black and white.
3. Kadu Gannava – Oru Yathrakurippu: Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, this film stars Mammootty and recounts the memoirs of journalist P. K. Venugopal, who recalls a visit to Sri Lanka in search of a woman named Leela, whom he believes to be his stepsister.
4. Kazhcha: Shyamaprasad directs this film featuring Narain and Parvathy Thiruvothu.
5. Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam: Directed by Jayaraj, this film stars Nedumudi Venu, Indrans, and Surabhi.
6. Kadal Kaattu: Directed by Ratheesh Ambat, this film features Indrajith, Aparna Balamurali, and Ann Augustine in leading roles.
7. Abhayam Thedi Veendum: This film, directed by Santosh Sivan, is headlined by Siddique.
8. Shilalikithangal: This film is set in a hamlet and stars Biju Menon.
9. Sherlock: Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, this featurette stars Fahadh Faasil. It is based on MT’s short story “Sherlock.”
It will be a huge deal if this news comes out to be true. Let’s be hopeful.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
