Top 5 Malayalam Movies to Binge-watch on TV during the Curfew weeks ahead

So I know we are all in for the long haul, biting our nails, scratching our heads, wondering how to kill so much of extra time we have on our hands, now that we are "working" from home. Well, if you love movies/ series or are enthralled by the Malayalam movie industry (as you should be!), then here are a few current "trending" ones, definitely worth your time across various OTT platforms.

Ayyapannum Koshiyum (2020, Language - Malayalam, Genre: Drama/Thriller, Platform - Prime)


Why watch: Powerhouse performances by both the lead actors, Prithviraj (his role selections have been a hit and miss usually, but this time!) and veteran Biju Menon. Taut little story about how a minor mishap snowballs into a vengeance drama fuelled by inflated male egos between a senior SI and a retired havildar. Ebbs and flows till it finally hits the flashpoint. Set in the backlands of remote villages on the border of Kerala/Tamilnadu, the folk songs and the rustic setting add a different level of charm to the whole thriller.

Prathi Poovan Kozhi (2019, Language - Malayalam, Genre: Drama/Thriller, Platform - Zee5)


Why watch - The ever-reliable Manju Warrier turns in another smouldering performance as an everyday middle-class working woman, harassed in a bus, who decides to take matters into her hands and teach a lesson to a powerful sexual predator. Utterly engrossing, a rally-cry to all the gutsy women out there. Directed by Rosshan Andrews who himself essays the role of the antagonist, he was a revelation!

Ketyollaanu Ente Malakka (2019, Language - Malayalam, Genre - Drama, Platform - Prime)


Why watch - The magic of simple heartfelt storytelling, again set in a small-time village, the rustic background for a domestic home-drama that unfolds organically. Asif Ali plays a simple minded farmer who's newly married but is finding it hard to express his love to his beautiful angel of a wife. Classic stuff, really.

Koode (2018, Language - Malayalam, Genre - Drama, Platform - Hotstar)

Why watch - Anjali Menon (Bangalore Days fame) is back at it again. A heart-wrenching story of a disjoint family trying to find their broken rhythm in life after their darling daughter dies at a very young age of twenty. Beautifully scripted, Prithviraj essays the role of a lost man, finding his way back home amidst hazy memories, fighting loneliness and broken relationships. 

Angamaly Diaries (2017, Language - Malayalam, Genre - Crime, Platform - Netflix) 


Why watch - A blistering sense of realistic action and thrill of gang-wars, this is basically rustic 'Gangs of Wasseypur' set in the backyards of small-town Angamaly tracing the coming-of-age story of  a young man. This movie sticks true to the tunes of bringing that micro-culture of this small place alive ( My dad is from this place, Angamaly and hence, I could relate/love this movie a lot better!) Apparently the entire star-cast is new/debut faces. But the acting/story is taut and top notch. 

Have you watched any of the above? Let me know what you thought. 

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