Get your low down on what's happening in the world of Malayalam cinema, right here.
The Kerala Chalachitra Academy decided not to screen six films at the IFFK after the Ministry of External Affairs raised objections, citing concerns over foreign policy and national security. Academy chairman Resul Pookutty denies political influence in the decision.
However, advisory committee chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan insists he wants the fest to run smooth and hassle-free.
Notes from the recent Keral film festival: how two great films handle the delicate issue of death.
Aseem Chhabra ranks the Best of 2025's films that released in theatres, or went directly to OTT platforms.
'It's becoming a bit of a pilgrimage in December in Kerala. On the one hand, you have black-clad Ayyappa devotees. On the other, you have throngs of film enthusiasts showing up. With good reason, too -- this is arguably the best film festival in India, with a good selection of films, with great diversity.'
'...including my baby sisters, age three and one.' 'My dad was humiliated, and he started screaming at them.'
The four-day CIFF was packed with so many other new projects, like Radhika Apte's first directorial effort Koyta, with Vikramaditya Motwane as the producer, Venkatesh Maha's Ko Ko Ko, Jeo Baby's Punishment and Shonali Bose's Black Mountain Monpa.
How wonderful it would be for all of us to watch the Oscar ceremony on March 2, 2025 and watch AWIAL win an Oscar, notes Aseem Chhabra.
Aseem Chhabra picks his top 10 Indian films of 2024, which includes films that have had theatrical releases or are streaming on OTT.
With Piravi, Shaji N Karun joined the select group of great masters of film. Malayalam once upon a time used to produce such films. Today, it is only mindless violence, politics and grotesque humour. The films have no soul, although they are technically quite good. With Shaji's passing, and earlier with his mentor G Aravindan's untimely death, an era is coming to an end. Rajeev Srinivasan salutes the master, who passed into the ages on April 28.
All We Imagine as Light has been on several critics' best of the year lists, including Sight and Sound (Payal Kapadia appeared on the magazine's cover, perhaps a first for an Indian filmmaker), to The New York Times, Time and it is the number one film recommended by Barack Obama. The future certainly belongs to Payal Kapadia, asserts Aseem Chhabra.
'I realised why the farmers and the rural folks are going for Trump. They are so insecure and vulnerable that anybody who is throwing a line of hope to them, they seize it.'
Can a culture survive as a way of life, even as the language and writing at its core, alter with time? Can we be rational and Malayalee or do we have to necessarily be religious and proudly cultural to be Malayalee? asks Shyam G Menon.
It is also unclear whether foreigners were among the six delegates booked by police.
Rajeev Srinivasan samples the fare at the 14th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala 2009 underway in Thiruvanathapuram.
Santosh Sivan has become truly an international filmmaker. His eighth directorial venture, Before the Rains, a Hollywood film made in Kerala has made it to a number of international film festivals namely Edinburgh, Toronto, Pusan and Palm Springs. Now, the latest feather in his cap is a feature on the film which appeared in the prestigious American Cinematographer magazine.
Shaji N Karun on helming the Malayalam film Kutti Srank which won a National Film Award for Best Film.
Lovingly made, heartfelt stories that speak the truths about our lives.
Her acclaimed film All We Imagine As Light received two Golden Globe nominations in the Best Director (Motion Picture) and Best Motion Picture (Non English Language Film) categories. This marks the first time an Indian director has been nominated in the Director category.
Santosh Sivan Sivan is the first Asian to receive the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography honour at the Cannes Film Festival, which celebrates outstanding contributions to the field of cinematography.
The Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) wants a ban on the film as they feel it hurts the religious sentiments of Christians.
It is the first Indian film in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 30 years.
In a post on X, Chiranjeevi on Sunday expressed anguish over the loss of life due to the landslides in Kerala, adding he and his son-"RRR" star Ram Charan were donating Rs 1 crore to the CMDRF.
Aseem Chhabra picks Indian and other South Asian gems at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Aseem Chhabra watched some great films and some huge disappointments in 2021.
The Kerala police on Thursday launched an investigation into an alleged social media campaign against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Facebook post requesting help for the people affected by the landslides in Wayanad district. The campaign was aimed at motivating people to reject the CM's appeal for disaster relief, it said.
The Kerala high court gives a go-ahead to the controversial Malayalam film.
Rajeev Srinivasan on one of the best film festivals in India.
Rajeev Srinivasan on one of the best film festivals in India.
Director Manoj Kana discusses the difficulties he faced to finance his film.
Payal Kapadia's understanding of what it means to be a woman is as poignant as her authentic portrait of Mumbai's hoi polloi, observes Sukanya Verma.
There's clearly no limit to how dramatic a wedding can be.
Aseem Chhabra looks at the year's best Non-Hindi Indian movies.
Before Ali and Richa walk down the aisle, Namrata Thakker looks at how they fell in love.
'Suddenly the audience pool feels bigger, like everyone is watching everything now.' 'It's no longer limited in terms of boundaries, like a state or a language.' 'Whether it's a series, a movie or even a Korean film, the audience has access to all of it.' 'Slowly, the boundaries are blurring, so that's great for actors.'
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards were held at Mumbai's Taj Lands End hotel on February 20.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.
'The festival is supporting only Bollywood and mainstream cinema,' they allege.
'I'd definitely wish that the audience of Kerala mature. There are a large number of people who welcome sexual scenes or content if it is in a foreign movie but they can't accept this in a regional movie. That attitude of hypocrisy has to change.'
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