Top 15 Malayalam movies of 2013

1. Drishyam

Director Jeethu Joseph entered the big league with his latest film ‘Drishyam’ that turned out to be the best film of 2013.

Brilliantly scripted and terrifically acted by Mohanlal and Meena, the film has set the cash registers jingling like never before.

The film, that also has one of the best climactic scenes that we have seen in recent times, tops the list with grace.

2. Artist

Shyamaprasad’s ‘Artist’ that dissected a tale of turbulent love, was one of the best emotional capers that Malayalam cinema had to offer this year.

Fahadh Faasil and Ann Augustine gave the film their best shots, amply aided by a brilliant supporting cast.

‘Artist’ took the viewer on an emotional roller coaster ride that was extremely fulfilling, and is arguably one of Shyamaprasad’s best films till date.

3. Annayum Rasoolum

Rajeev Ravi’s directorial debut that was anticipated to be a stunner did not break its promises of being a crowd puller.

This tormenting love tale had quite a large number of takers, and Fahadh Faazil and Andreah Jeremiah made an adorable pair on screen.

Brilliantly captured on camera by Madhu Neelakantan, ‘Annayum Rasoolum’ was meticulous story telling at its best.

4. Left Right Left

Arun Kumar Aravind and scenarist Murali Gopy might have ruffled quite a few red feathers with their film ‘Left Right Left’.

Cinematically though, the film is one among the best to have released this year, with its stringent script that refused to give in to any kind of political pressure.

Stupendous performances from Lena, Indrajith, Sethulakshmi and Murali Gopy propelled the film into the must-watch list.

5. Mumbai Police

Roshan Andrews and writers Bobby and Sanjay threw a big surprise on us with their thriller flick ‘Mumbai Police’.

For one, it served the basic purpose of being an entertainer, and a tremendous one at that. And more significantly, it drew on grave issues as sexuality, thereby throwing open the doors of Malayalam cinema to concerns that have been hastily brushed under the carpet.

6. Amen

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s ‘Amen’ was one of the most visually spectacular movies to have released this year.

‘Amen’ was also the first modern musical in Malayalam cinema, in that the heavenly music was as much a part of the winner movie, as was the tale that it had to tell.

The film was applauded for its bewitching frames, sensational musical score and the brilliant camerawork, that made it a true blockbuster of 2013.

7. Punyalan Agarbathis

Ranjith Sankar’s ‘Punyalan Agarbathis’ had the director carry the torch of social critique further forward.

Armed with an endearing performance from Jayasurya, ‘Punyalan Agarbathis’ was a feel good movie, in every sense of the term.

Loaded with good humored fun, the film was an easy evening watch that tremendously appealed to family audiences all over.

8. 101 Chodyangal

The questions that Sidharth Siva’s directorial debut ‘101 Chodyangal’ put across before us, weren’t the ones that had easy answers.

An exemplary performance by the child artiste Minon had already won him many an acclaim, and when the film finally graced the screens, the audience lapped up his feat with much appreciation.

9. Philips and the Monkey Pen

Rojin Thomas and Shanil Muhammed had the biggest surprise in store for us, when they released their directorial debut ‘Philips and the Monkey Pen’.

Sanoop Santhosh and his antics endeared himself to the viewers in no time, and the monkey pen rewrote box office history as well.

Lauded by the critics and the masses alike, ‘Philips and the Monkey Pen’ had a charming innocence to it that was much treasured.

10. Papilio Buddha

Jayan K Cherian’s take on the atrocities committed against the marginalized, might not have had a dream run at the box office.

But that does not deprive the film of the stature that it has earned for itself among the films released in 2013.

At times shocking and at others extremely distressing, ‘Papilio Buddha’ had something very valid to offer for the discerning viewer.

11. Neelakasham Pacha Kadal Chuvanna Bhoomi

Sameer Thahir’s ‘Neelakasham Pacha Kadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’ earned for itself the title of being the first road movie in Malayalam, in every sense of the term.

We loved every bit of this film that talked of love, passion and the zest for life.

Dulquer Salman and Sunny Wayne brought in the much needed verve to the splendid visual narrative.

12. Celluloid

Kamal’s ‘Celluloid’ had Prithviraj playing J C Daniel, the film maker who is considered the father of Malayalam Cinema.

‘Celluloid’ was a period drama in every sense, and the audience related to it on several planes.

Amply supported my Mamta Mohandas and Chandni, Prithviraj’s superlative performance as the yesteryear director won him several accolades as well.

13. Shutter

Joy Mathew’s directorial debut ‘Shutter’ opted for a highly unconventional theme, and gifted the astounded audience with a stunner of a movie.

Sajitha Madathil towered over the rest of the cast with her powerhouse performance in the lead role, confidently striding into the league of accomplished performers.

14. Tourist Home

Shebi’s ‘Tourist Home’ did not set the box office counters in an ecstatic mood. However, the film put on show an unsullied experience with several script writers joining together for a film.

Though not exactly fitting into the anthology mould, ‘Tourist Home’ opted for a multiple narrative format, that held sturdily together for most of its part.

15. North 24 Kaatham

Anil Radhakrishnan Menon's 'North 24 Kaatham' was yet another of Fahadh Faasil’s right choices this year, and which had the actor playing a software professional who apparently suffers from an obsessive compulsive disorder.

The film was much applauded for the sharp emotional tome that was maintained throughout, and marked the entry of yet another promising film maker into Malayalam Cinema.