Dark horses who raced ahead to win, films that turned out to be mammoth in terms of budget and box office sales, a long standing rumour turning true and a famous actor backing out of a much awaited biopic at the last moment. We list six surprises
Vinayakan bags the best actor award
It was after a huge gap that the state award jury zeroed in on a non-hero actor for the best actor. Vinayakan, who has been in the industry for the past 20 years, bagged the award for his role of Ganga in Kammattipadam. The interesting fact was that Dulquer Salmaan, who enacted the lead role in the film, was also in contention for the award.
Dileep-Kavya Wedding
Though the rumours of an impending wedding of actors Dileep and Kavya Madhavan were doing the rounds of social media for the past two years, it was at an unexpected moment that the duo decided to tie the nuptial knot. Their wedding ceremony was noted for the secrecy they maintained until the ‘muhurtham’. It was on November 25, 2016, that their marriage took place in Kochi.
Pulimurugan
Superstar Mohanlal-starrer Pulimurugan became the first 100-crore club member from Malayalam film industry. Though this term is popular in B’town and T’town, it was when the film collected '100 crore from theatres that Malayalam industry too joined the aspirational league.
Karnan
Yet another surprise from M’town in recent times is of course the projected budget of Karnan. It was last year that Ennu Ninte Moideen-fame director R. S. Vimal announced his second directorial venture — the epic film Karnan with his first hero Prithviraj in the lead role. When Vimal revealed the budget of the film — Rs 300 crore— that became a hot topic of discussion. It is for the first time that a film in Malayalam will be made with such a lavish budget.
Vidya in/out
It is a known fact that B’town superstar Vidya Balan started her career in Malayalam with Kamal’s Chakram, which was stalled half way. Later, she shifted to B’town and became one of most sought-after actresses there. Last year, news came that the actress was coming back to Malayalam to portray the lead role in writer Madhavikutty’s biopic Aami, also directed by Kamal. Though the film generated a huge hype, she backed out from the project, creating much controversy.
Angamaly Diaries
The victory of Angamaly Diaries is definitely a big surprise of recent times. Without a single established actor, director Lijo Jose Pellissery could create magic on screen with this cult film written by actor Chemban Vinod Jose. In fact, the realistic approach to the subject was the highlight of the surprise.
