Manjummel Boys hits a century at the box office, joins 100 crore club

Manjummel Boys has joined the elusive 100 crore club in Malayalam cinema. It is only the fourth Malayalam film to achieve this enviable feat, purely counting the theatre collections alone. What is impressive is that from Tamil Nadu only the film garnered Rs 15 crore, that too within 11 days. The film, produced by Soubin Shahir, has so far collected Rs 56 crore and Rs 40 crore from India and overseas, respectively. It is also the fastest Malayalam film to achieve this feat.

A survival thriller that revolves around a bunch of men who take a road trip to Kodaikanal and find themselves in a precarious situation is inspired by a real-life incident. Directed and written by Chidambaram, the film headlines Soubin Shahir and features a host of well-known actors from Malayalam. One prime reason behind the overwhelming acceptance of this beautifully executed and shot film is that it is a heartwarming ode to friendship. But another reason for this unprecedented love from Tamilians has everything to do with the superb placement of the iconic Kamal Haasan-Ilaiyaraaja song, Kanmani Anbodu from Gunaa (1991). Chidambaram, who is an unabashed Kamal Haasan fan indeed pays a rich tribute to the legend. The title cards also showcase the animated sketches of the song.  If the original song was about romance, Chidambaram picks those stanzas that honor humanity and friendship, and that has been the biggest clincher here. The team had a meeting with Kamal Haasan recently.

Jude Anthany’s 2018 is the highest-grosser to date, followed by Pulimurugan and Lucifer. Chidambaram’s debut Jan. E. Man (2021), starring Basil Joseph, Arjun Asokan, and Balu Varghese despite the critical acclaim didn’t get the audience it deserved. Meanwhile, Malayalam cinema is going through a terrific run at the box office. Three of its recent releases, Premalu, Bramayugam, and Manjummel Boys, all diametrically different genres have already touched the Rs 50 crore mark at the box office.