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Everything you need to know about Rekhachithram (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In 2024, Asif Ali had a great year. The year began with his cameo in the hit Varshangalkku Shesham, and then his next film was Thalavan, where he played a police officer and one of the main protagonists. The movie did well, and even a sequel was announced. While his next venture, Level Cross, wasn’t a huge success, many critics considered it a good film, with most reactions being mixed. Unfortunately, his next film, Adios Amigo, didn’t do well at the box office.

However, Asif Ali’s next outing was part of a multi-starrer anthology web series, Manorathangal, based on the works of M.T. Vasudevan Nair. His following project, Kishkindha Kaandam, turned out to be a massive hit—something no one expected. Now, in 2025, his first film of the year, Rekhachithram, a crime investigation drama, is getting a lot...

M.T. Vasudevan Nair, legendary Indian author, screenwriter and director, died Wednesday, Dec. 25 at a hospital in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, days after suffering cardiac arrest, the Times of India reports. He was 91.

One of the masters of post-Independence Indian literature, Nair was known for his evocative portrayal of nostalgia and human emotions. He penned his first major novel, Naalukettu (The Legacy), at the age of 23, followed by Manju (Mist), Kaalam (Time), Asuravithu (The Demon Seed), and Randamoozham (The Second Turn), which is widely considered to be his masterpiece.

Nair went on to become a renowned screenwriter and director in Malayalam cinema. His first screenplay, Murappennu in 1965, an adaptation of his story “Snehathinte Mukhangal”, was described by The Hindu as “one of the most significant films in the history of Malayalam cinema”. His subsequent screenplays for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994), each won the national award for best screenplay,...

M.T. Vasudevan Nair, celebrated Indian screenwriter, director and novelist, died on Dec. 25 at a hospital in Kozhikode after being admitted to a hospital for breathing difficulties. He was 91.

His contributions to Malayalam-language cinema and literature redefined storytelling in the southern Indian state of Kerala where he was born. Nair’s early exposure to traditional folktales and the lush landscapes of his homeland would later inform his distinct narrative style. His cinematic career began in the early 1960s, and he quickly emerged as a master of the screenplay, becoming synonymous with an emerging new wave movement in Malayalam cinema.

Nair’s debut as a screenwriter, “Murappennu” (1965), directed by A. Vincent, set the tone for a career defined by emotionally resonant, character-driven stories. Over the decades, he penned screenplays for over 60 films, including iconic works such as “Nirmalyam” (1973), which won India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film and marked his directorial debut.

Banner showcasing 6 must-watch Malayalam web series (Photo Credit – Zee5/Sony Liv)

Malayalam movies are well-known both in India and abroad, but have you ever watched a Malayalam web series? If you’re not a Malayali, the answer is probably no, and you’re missing out. We’ve handpicked six fantastic web series for you to enjoy, four of which come from the House of Mouse. So, let’s dive right in and explore these gems without wasting time.

Manorathangal

Available on: Zee5

Manorathangal is an anthology series based on nine short stories by M.T. Vasudevan Nair, spread across nine episodes. Each episode features significant actors, with stars like Mohanlal, Mammootty, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Biju Menon, Fahadh Faasil, and others taking turns in the spotlight. The quality of each episode varies, making it a mixed bag, like what Forrest Gump’s momma said about a box of chocolates.

Jai Mahendran...

Malayalam movies have had only a handful of anthologies over the years, and many of them have been a huge success on the big screen as well as on the Ott space. The most popular ones must be Kerala Cafe and 5 Sundarikal. The ones that are not spoken much about are Naalu Pennungal and Aanum Pennum, instances of taking a subject and making several stories around it, interpreted by many directors.

Manorathangal on Zee5 Global is a new anthology series that has the acclaimed novelist and screenwriter M.T. Vasudevan Nair and the stories he has written over the years are at the center of attention. The show was released on 15th August 2023 and brings in stories from Kerala about life, choices, love, and relationships. The show brings on board eight directors, with Priyadarshan helming as the showrunner, and gives the audience a peek into the characters written by M.T.

The Malayalam film industry has been having a splendid 2024 on the big screen so far. They started things off with Aattam, which showed that 12 Angry Men can be remade in the 21st century, and it’ll still be relevant. Abraham Ozler wasn’t a critical success, but it did quite well at the box office. Meanwhile, Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Malaikottai Vaaliban didn’t make a dent at the box office, but personally speaking, it was nothing short of a visual masterpiece. Anweshippin Kandethum, featuring Tovino Thomas, was a massive success, given its budget. Then there was the Barbenheimer of the Year, Premalu and Bramayugam, which impressed critics and brought in the big bucks. Manjummel Boys knocked it out of the park by bringing forth an unbelievable story. The same can be said about Aadujeevitham. Aavesham is currently the frontrunner for the “Movie of the Year” title. Ullozhukku and Paradise were well-received,...

There have been only a few anthologies in the Malayalam cinema space that have distinguished themselves from the usual cinema we watch on the big or small screens. Kerala Café and 5 Sundarikal are among them as they contain stories that are still a part of the discourse years after being released. Adding to that is the up-and-coming Zee5 Global Malayalam film anthology, Manorathangal, which could be loosely translated to “chariots of the mind.” This one is special. For the first time, all the best directors, storytellers, and actors from the Malayalam industry come forward to pay tribute to one of the most legendary novelists and screenplay writers, Mt Vasudevan Nair.

To those who are unaware of Mt Vasudevan Nair’s bibliography and filmography, the stories he has written over the years have been adapted into countless films. The standout ones are Nirmalyam (1973), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Sadayam (1992), Parinayam (1994), and Oru Cheru...

South Asia-focused streaming platform ZEE5 is set to launch “Manorathangal,” a nine-part Malayalam-language anthology series premiering August 15. The project celebrates the 90-year legacy of literary icon M.T. Vasudevan Nair and brings together top South Indian talent.

Penned by Nair himself, the series explores human duality against Kerala’s backdrop. Kamal Haasan introduces the anthology in which each story probes the interplay between noble and primal human impulses.

The anthology boasts a roster of A-list actors and directors. Mohanlal stars in “Olavum Theeravum” (“Ripples and the River Bank”), directed by Priyadarshan. Mammootty leads “Kadugannava Oru Yathra Kurippu” (“Kadugannava: A Travel Note”), helmed by Ranjith. Priyadarshan also directs “Shilalikhitam” (“Inscriptions”) featuring Biju Menon. Parvathy Thiruvothu stars in Shyamaprasad’s “Kazhcha” (“Vision”), while Aswathy Nair directs Madhoo and Asif Ali in “Vilpana” (“The Sale”).

Fahadh Faasil leads Mahesh Narayanan’s “Sherlock.” Jayarajan Nair directs an ensemble cast, including Kaillash, Indrans and Nedumudi Venu,...

ObituaryFounder of General Pictures Achani Ravi was drawn to cinema because of his love for the arts, and produced acclaimed Malayalam films such as ‘Thampu’, ‘Esthappan’, ‘Manju’ and ‘Vidheyan’.Courtesy - Fotokannan / Wiki Malayalam/ Cc By-sa 3.0Producer of several acclaimed Malayalam films K Ravindranathan Nair, popularly known as Achani Ravi, died on Sunday, July 8 at his home in Kerala’s Kollam. He had just turned 90 last Monday. Achani Ravi was the producer of movies made by legendary writers and directors such as G Aravindan, P Bhaskaran and Mt Vasudevan Nair. He was the recipient of several National and State Film Awards. Ravi founded General Pictures in the year 1967. The first movie he produced under its banner was Anweshichu Kandethiyilla, made by the late poet and filmmaker P Bhaskaran. He went on to fund two more films made by Bhaskaran — Kattukurangu and Lakshaprabhu. After producing the film Achani in 1973, made by another celebrated director A Vincent,...

CourtsThe teaser of the controversial The Kerala Story was first released in November 2022 and claimed that 32,000 girls from Kerala were forcibly converted and recruited to the Islamic terror outfit, Isis.The producer of the controversial film The Kerala Story, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, told the Kerala High Court on Friday, May 5 that the teaser of the film — which claimed that 32,000 girls from the state were forcibly converted and recruited to the Islamic terror outfit, Isis — will be removed from their social media accounts. The division bench comprising Justice N Nagaresh and Justice Sophy Thomas, meanwhile, refused to stay the release of the film and declined to entertain the petition asking the Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc) to assign it an ‘A’ certificate. The Supreme Court had also disposed of a similar plea on Thursday. In the film’s teaser, which was first released in November 2022, actor Adah Sharma who plays...

Flix FlashbackNo one could have envisaged 'Vaisali' in this beautiful form. Not then. Not now. Neelima MenonVultures fighting for their pound of flesh, a King Cobra slithering out of the mouth of a human skull, crows cavorting in the sky, dusty barren trails, flanked by rocky foothills —Vaisali unspools almost ghoulishly, signifying a parched landscape. Weary men, women, and children greedily reach for the water bags tied over donkeys, even as the King’s soldiers shoo them away. King Lomapadan, tall and stately, sits despondently in his chariot, watching the earth and humans around him wilting under the sun, dying for a drop of water. But there is a stark dichotomy in that opening shot, almost like a vacant canvas, biding its time to be streaked in colours. The film in fact is textured like a series of delicate lifelike oil paintings, each frame leisurely sliding away to reveal multiple hues,...

Setting a record in the Indian film industry, Dr. B.R. Shetty, UAE based billionaire businessman and philanthropist, is investing Rs. 1000 crores (Usd 150 million) to produce India’s biggest ever motion picture, Mahabharata. Noted advertising filmmaker, V.A Shrikumar Menon, is directing this magnum opus. Mahabharata will be produced in two parts and is scheduled to go on floor by September 2018 and will be released in early 2020. The second part of the film will be released within 90 days of the first part. The film will be shot primarily in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu and will be dubbed into major Indian languages and leading foreign languages.

The film will be a coming together of the crème de la crème of Indian and global cinema, in terms of its cast and crew. The technical crew will include some of the great names in world cinema including Academy Award-winners. The cast...

Kozhikode (Kerala) July 15: On his 80th birthday Monday, one of Kerala's most versatile, popular and prolific writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair - popularly known as Mt - humbly said he has done little and wants to do more.

"I have done a little. I wish to do more and my prayer is that I have good health for it," said Mt, one of the most sought after screenplay writers in the state.

Born in Kudallur, a small village in present-day Palakkad district (Palghat), he now lives in Kozhikode.

His all-time popular novels about life in the matriarchal family in Kerala are "Naalukettu" (The Legacy), "Asuravithu" (The Demon Seed), and "Kaalam".

Often important movies lean on great literary works to make an impact. Girish Karnad and B.V. Karanth’s Vamsha Vriksha, made in black and white on a shoestring budget, is one such example. Vamsha Vriksha was based on an Indian novel written in the Kannada language. Soon after the Kannada film was made, it went on to win the National Award for the Best Director, the Swarna Kamal (The Golden Lotus award). Forty years down the road, this important landmark in Indian cinema is forgotten. An entire new generation of film-goers in India can hardly recall the film.

Vamsha Vriksha is a tale of three generations of two Hindu families in Karnataka. It deals with Indian society’s perceptions of widowhood, motherhood, women’s emancipation, family secrets, intrigue to secure family’s assets after the death of a parent, renunciation of the family, and marital infidelity. Indian culture and societal...

Six of the biggest names in Indian cinema – actors Mammootty and Sarath Kumar, Gyanpeeth award winner M.T. Vasudevan Nair, music director Ilayaraaja, National award winning director T Hariharan and Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty - have joined hands for a movie on the forgotten history of India's first revolutionary hero – Pazhassi Raja.Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, was the first Indian warrior to raise the flag of rebellion against the British East India Company in 1797, which is almost 60 years before the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.The movie has ...