The edifice of Malayalam cinema is keenly observed by the audience from all around the globe. This phenomenon must be due to its unabashed content in expressing social issues, empowerment, and biotic emotions. The latest movies produced by the industry are been discussed by society with the help of today’s social media and intellectual methods like articles and write-ups.
But how did Malayalam filmography achieve this status? An industry where the area is very small when compared to the world of cinema and at the same time aesthetically able to captivate the eyes of viewers, is not only about talking about the present situation. Sometimes, the roots that may be underrated need also to be acknowledged.
The primary objective of the recent Re-releases of flicks happening in Malayalam cinema will be the ability to drive the audience into nostalgia where their favorite scenes and shots can be seen on a big screen with the theatre ambiance and effect.
It all started with the presentation of the 1995 movie ‘Spadikam’ (Eng. Prism crystal) which got a re-release in 2023 and received a mass audience back on track. The movie has an ensemble cast of Mohanlal, Thilakan, Urvashi, KPAC Lalita, Rajan P Dev, N F Vargheese, George, Silk Smita, and Ashokan respectively. The character ‘Aadu Thomaa’ played by actor Mohanlal has a cult fan-following with potent dialogues. The movie was a brilliant performing arena for all the actors mentioned above. It had a strong screenplay and well-established world-building. During the second time of release, it was constructed in a 4-K resolution with a digitally remastered format which re-gained great applause.
The second objective of the re-release activity was about marketing. These movies will have an interested audience and this was a way for the revenue build up. Such that more movies were released during this period.
Kudos to the ‘Keraleeyam’ festival that happened in 2023 by the Government of Kerala with the help of Kerala State Film Academy as part of celebrating its state and culture, re-released some of the older blockbusters and classics like ‘Vanaprastham’(1999), ‘Godfather'(1991), ‘Neelakuyil’(1954), ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragaadha’(1989), etc. that may have influenced producers to take a chance at the box office again under their banner. The majority of the audience in the program was the youngsters who wanted to experience these old films on the theatre screen.
The third objective of the activity is about the technical and visual effects which are limited in a mini-screen. The latest re-releases of classics like ‘Devadoothan’ (2000) directed by Sibi Malayil and ‘Manichithrathazhu’(1993)directed by Fazil play a key role in these elements. The background scores, music, and whole film-making are a textbook here. The aesthetic and economic returns are reported to be magnanimous due to these re-releases.
More movies are expected for re-releases which may be able to showcase the underrated talent for the young audience and researchers outside the region who are fascinated about knowing the Malayalam cinema.
All the above mentioned movies are streaming on Disney+Hotstar.
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