2021 began with a Malayalam film becoming a pan-India rage despite being released on a then brand new, completely unknown OTT platform, Neestream, after rejections by Netflix and Amazon (the latter subsequently changed its mind). The year ended with another Malayalam film breaking new ground for Indian cinema. Between The Great Indian Kitchen and Minnal Murali flowed a stream of quality Malayalam releases so unrelenting, that I have struggled to restrict my Best Malayalam Films 2021 compilation to just 10. Hence, a large collection of Special Mentions.
Each film on this list was either released in theatres during the brief respite from pandemic-related lockdowns or on an OTT platform at some point in 2021. It is a measure of our changing times that a lovely documentary I watched this year fulfills this criterion.
Binge watchers, fasten your seat belts. Here is my list:
The Great Indian Kitchen (Mahaththaya Bharatiya Adukkala)
Director: Jeo Baby
Click here for the review of The Great Indian Kitchen
Minnal Murali
Director: Basil Joseph
Click here for the review of Minnal Murali
Malik
Director: Mahesh Narayanan
Click here for the review of Malik
8-1/2 Intercuts
Director: Lijin Jose
Click here for the review of 8-1/2 Intercuts
Nayattu
Director: Martin Prakkat
Click here for the review of Nayattu
Biriyaani
Director: Sajin Baabu
Click here for the review of Biriyaani
Joji
Director: Dileesh Pothan
Click here for the review of Joji
Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam
Director: Senna Hegde
Click here for the review of Thinkalazcha Nishchayam
Drishyam 2
Director: Jeethu Joseph
Click here for the review of Drishyam 2
Jan-E-Man
Director: Chidambaram
Click here for the review of Jan-E-Man
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Director: Vipin Atley
1956, Central Travancore
Director: Don Palathara
Director: Ravi K Chandran
Director: Manu Ashokan
Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
Directors: Ranjeet Kamala Sankar and Salil V
Director: Rojin Thomas
Operation Java
Director: Tharun Moorthy
Director: Ranjith Sankar
Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam
Director: Don Palathara
Anna M.M. Vetticad is an award-winning journalist and author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic. She specialises in the intersection of cinema with feminist and other socio-political concerns. Twitter: @annavetticad, Instagram: @annammvetticad, Facebook: AnnaMMVetticadOfficial
RELATED LINKS:
Mahesh Narayanan Director’s Cut: On being labelled Islamophobic, Malik, Take Off and his Hindi debut
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