10 new-gen Malayalam movies that prove the best flicks are being made in god’s own country

There is a strong new gust from god’s own country. New-gen movies, which are breaking many a mould — honest, experimental and bold, including the hitherto embargoed, meeting of the lips. Most set in an urban setting, they tell a tale of the coming of age.

We embark on a fool’s errand of listing out ten must-watch movies from the new wave Malayalam cinema. Enjoy!

Traffic:  Back in 2011, when Traffic was released, little did Rajesh Pillai know that his movie would turn out to be a pathbreaker. The gripping thriller, which employed a multi-stranded narrative, draws on a real-life incident that happened in Chennai and keeps you on toes till the very end.

Salt N’ Pepper: If you have ever doubted the sensual power of dosa, this Aashiq Abu movie should go on top of your must-watch list. The primary ingredients of this full-flavoured story included Shwetha Menon, as a dubbing artist who lives as a paying guest in the city; and of course, those crispy dosas she is obsessed with.

Beautiful: The friendship between a tetraplegic and a struggling musician takes a different turn altogether with the arrival of a beautiful home nurse into their lives. Director V.K. Prakash has crafted this musical drama with immense staying power and gusto. Undoubtedly, the movie is an affectionate tribute to life itself.

22 Female Kottayam: Tessa K. Abraham played by Rima Kallingal is driven to take things to extreme length by her need for revenge. The film was well received by movie critics and Rima won the Kerala State Award for the Best Actress for this Aashiq Abu movie.

Ustad Hotel: Another sumptuous, whimsical story that flirts with melodrama, without giving way to it. With a masterly script by Anjali Menon, Anwar Rasheed takes the viewers on a savoury trail. The movie doesn’t need any embellishments as Thilakan skilfully takes the movie on his shoulders.

Thattathin Marayath: A beautiful, yet simple, love story of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl, set against a backdrop of the prevailing cultural norms. Laced with humour and seasoned with hauntingly beautiful music, this Vineeth Sreenivasan movie was a runaway hit among the masses.

Annayum Rasoolum: This Rajiv Ravi movie came as a whip of fresh air for moviegoers. Unlike onscreen love stories that are unrealistic and clichéd, the depiction of romance in Annayum Rasoolum is an exquisitely honest one. 

Amen: An enchanting magical realist drama woven around a tiny hamlet called Kumarankiri. With a dab of surreal humour and absurdity, Lijo Jose Pellissery has crafted each frame of Amen with much pomp and elan. No wonder it went on to become an enticing tale that lives far beyond the screens.

Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi: The open roads have never been a fixture of the Malayalee imaginations and this one, perhaps, is the first road movie ever in Malayalam. The film also explores the North-Eastern part of India, which is often left unplumbed by the movie industry.

Mumbai Police:  One of the most breath-taking police drama ever in Indian cinema. The movie gets brownie points for the fact that it has a gay hero and that itself makes it a first-of-its-kind attempt. Due credits to Roshan Andrews and team for this high-octane thriller.