Why Mollywood is betting big on major Onam releases this year

The Malayalam film industry in Kerala is anticipating a bumper Onam season with around ₹ 150 crore at stake as theaters expect a surge in footfalls. (file image) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The Malayalam film industry in Kerala is anticipating a bumper Onam season with around ₹ 150 crore at stake as theaters expect a surge in footfalls.

The positive response to the Onam release revives hopes for the Malayalam film industry

Audience response to the festival-ready shows, including Nahas Hidhayath’s I’m Game, AD Gireesh’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit and Vysakh’s Khalifa, will be a test of strength for actors Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly and Prithviraj Sukumaran, who had mixed releases recently.

Anthana Joseph’s Thudakkam Jude starring Vismaya Mohanlal, which hit theaters on Friday (August 7, 2026), is likely to set the tone for the industry’s much-awaited festival season. I’m Game and Khalifa are scheduled to release on August 20, while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit will hit theaters on August 21. Combined, the three major Onam releases had a total budget of around ₹150 crore, according to estimates by the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA).

“The industry has high expectations for festival releases,” pointed out B. Rakesh, President, KFPA. “With a star-studded line-up, these films offer a perfect package this Onam. Festival seasons remain a key window for Malayalam cinema in terms of revenue-raising opportunities for investors. Festival holidays help attract family audiences to theatres,” he said.

Asked about the skyrocketing budget for principal photography, Mr. Rakesh said that production costs often rise in line with the star cast and crew along with the many locations where a film is shot.

Exhibitors are pinning their hopes on the Onam release after witnessing mixed results in the first half of 2026. Suresh Shenoy, executive member of the United Film Exhibitors Organization of Kerala (FEUOK), said the festival is witnessing stiff competition between the three films.

“I’m Game and Khalifa are in the action genre, while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit comes with a rom-com tag. It will be a busy screening schedule for the exhibitors, but the festival releases have the potential to generate equal interest among the audience,” he said.

Last Onam, the industry faced a similar clash of three heavyweights including Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam, Dominic Arun’s Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and Althaf Salim’s Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and Hridayapoorvam emerged winners in the last round while Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira failed to click at the box office.

Published – 07 Aug 2026 10:42 IST