Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days was the year’s other monumental hit. An ensemble coming-of-age drama about three cousins who move to Bangalore, the film was glossy, urban, and deeply emotional. With a star-studded cast including Nazriya Nazim, Nivin Pauly, Dulquer Salmaan, and Fahadh Faasil, it captured the aspirations and anxieties of the millennial generation. Its soundtrack by Gopi Sundar became a chartbuster, and the film’s portrayal of friendship and family struck a universal chord.
Alongside Drishyam , another thriller, Mumbai Police , pushed boundaries in a different direction. Directed by Rosshan Andrews and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film explored memory, identity, and repressed homosexuality – a subject rarely addressed in mainstream Indian cinema. Its shocking climax, revealing a closeted protagonist, was a watershed moment, signaling that Malayalam cinema was ready for complex, adult themes. 2014 released malayalam movies
The comedy genre also saw a significant hit with Ohm Shanthi Oshaana , directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. This romantic comedy, told from the perspective of a spirited young woman (Nazriya Nazim) who pursues her reluctant love interest (Nivin Pauly), was fresh, vibrant, and a major box-office success. It cemented Nivin Pauly’s status as the "boy next door" and launched Nazriya as a leading star. Similarly, Vellimoonga , starring the veteran comedian Mammukkoya in his first lead role, was an unexpected sleeper hit, proving that a simple, heartwarming story could resonate deeply with family audiences. Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days was the year’s other
The year 2014 stands as a fascinating and often overlooked pivot point in the history of Malayalam cinema. Sandwiched between the loud, formulaic masala films of the early 2010s and the critically acclaimed "New Generation" wave that would fully crystallize by the middle of the decade, 2014 was a year of experimentation, box-office surprises, and quiet evolution. It was a year where the old guard struggled to adapt, the middle tier produced some of the most memorable hits, and a new breed of storytellers began to truly find their voice. Far from a vintage year, 2014 was nonetheless a crucial laboratory where the themes and styles of modern Malayalam cinema were stress-tested for a changing audience. Its soundtrack by Gopi Sundar became a chartbuster,