2025 Review: Youngsters Struggled, Senior Star Clicked!

Malayalam cinema is not for producing some of the most in cricket piece of filmmaking in South Indian cinema, and they were back at it again in 2025 albeit at reduced capacity.

The first six months of 2025 were a mixed bag for Malayalam cinema. The year started with high expectations but didn’t quite live up to the hype. The much-awaited film Identity, starring Tovino Thomas and Trisha Krishnan, was a visual treat with strong technical work. However, the story and performances didn’t connect well with audiences, leading to disappointment.

Other early releases also failed to impress. But the film Rekhachithram, featuring Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan, stood out as a surprise success. It was an alternate history thriller and received praise for its gripping story and fresh concept.

Star actors had different journeys. Mammootty, who had delivered hits in the last two years, couldn’t maintain his winning streak. His films Bazooka and Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse didn’t meet expectations.

On the other hand, Mohanlal bounced back strongly. His film Empuraan, a sequel to Lucifer, was a major blockbuster. Another film Thudarum also performed well at the box office.

Overall, the first half of 2025 had more disappointments than hits. While the industry saw a few bright moments, especially from Mohanlal’s side and unique experiments like Rekhachithram, the hype around many big films didn’t translate into success. Fans and filmmakers now hope for a better second half.