An introduction to cinema from my language.

Beyond all the larger than life, vibrant, over the top Bollywood fight sequences and dance numbers, there exists other smaller regional film industries in India, which captures the essence of their unique cultures which exist in our country. Unlike the mainstream movie industries, their motive is not just to create mindless action crowd-puller movies.

One such film industry is Malayalam film industry, Aka Mollywood, which belongs to the small southern state of Kerala in India.

Unlike most of the mainstream films of India which you may have seen completely or have seen clips of on internet ,what sets Mollywood apart is its content-driven storytelling, where character writing, acting, and cinematography are given immense love and care. And no it does not try to mix up every single trope into one movie and make it oversaturated.

And i believe that movies are a gateway to understanding a culture, and Mollywood is a perfect opportunity for people outside India and even Indians outside this state to understand and learn more about the culture rather than believing single stories and stereotypes that often circulate on the internet.

Kumbalangi Nights is a 2019 malayalam cinema which is wildly acclaimed as one of the best recent films in not just malayalam but in all of india. Its a beautifully crafted drama that explores the dynamics of family, relationships, and self discovery. It’s poetry draped in realism, where every frame breathes with life, every silence speaks volumes, and every broken soul finds its own kind of healing.

At its core, Kumbalangi nights is an exploration of the delicate and messy relationship between humans and emotions—how we suppress them, express them, and ultimately find healing through them. It strips away the armor that society forces on men, especially in a setting where masculinity is often equated with dominance and control.

If anything i consider this movie as the best one to start your journey to explore a culture you never knew you existed. I'll be extremely happy to hear about your reviews if you decide to watch it!

You can watch it on Amazon prime btw