Exhibitors are upbeat as rom-coms, content-driven films help Mollywood make a mark at the box office

Still life from Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. Photo: Special arrangement.

The rom-com’s dream box office performance and enthusiastic audience response to the two releases have instilled hope among exhibitors in the Malayalam film industry to end the September quarter on a positive note.

Filmmaker AD Girish’s Bethlehem Kudumba starring Nivin Pauly and Mamita Baiju has crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in the worldwide collections since Sunday (September 13, 2026), according to estimates by film exhibitors United Organization of Kerala (FEUOK).

“It has broken the record set by director Dominic Arun’s Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra which collected over Rs 300 crore worldwide,” said Suresh Shenoy, member of the executive committee of FEUOK.

“Bethlehem Kudumba, which released on August 21, 2026, has grossed around 150 crores in Kerala, along with an overseas and rest of India total of around 120 crores and 30 crores, respectively, on Sunday (September 13, 2026).

Exhibitors said the enthusiastic response to Pradhama Drishtya’s Kuttakkar and Aasha released on September 11 along with the extended run of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit eased the situation in September after the much-awaited Dulquer Salmaan-starrer I’m Game failed to live up to expectations.

PV Basheer Ahamed, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors Association pointed out that after the first day of release, both the films have increased. “These films are getting a positive response due to their strong content. It has proved once again that an interesting script will always bring the audience to the theatres,” he said.

Directed by Shahad, ‘Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar’ stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Vijayaraghavan, Mathew Thomas, Unnimaya Prasad and Sidharth Bharathan in lead roles. Directed by Safar Sanal, the cast of ‘Aasha’ includes Urvashi, Joju George and Aishwarya Lekshmi.

Published – 14 Sep 2026 14:43 IST