Anurag Kashyap reviews Manjummel Boys, Bramayugam. Says Hindi cinema is ‘so far behind’
Director Anurag Kashyap reviewed the Malayalam films Manjummel Boys and Bramayugam on Letterboxd, and he had nothing but praise for them. While he seemed hesitant if Hindi cinema could live up to what the Malayalam film industry was doing, he changed his mind once he watched Laapataa Ladies. See his review.
‘In Hindi they can only remake such ideas’
Anurag seemed sad at the state of affairs in Bollywood when he left a review for Manjummel Boys on Letterboxd. He wrote, “Simply extraordinary piece of confident mainstream filmmaking. So much better than all the big budget filmmaking in india. Such confidence, such impossible storytelling. I was wondering how does one even sell this idea to a producer. In Hindi they can only do remakes of such ideas. Hindi cinema really is so far left behind with three back to back brilliant Malayalam films. (sic)”
Anurag also reviewed Bramayugam on the portal, writing that he was ‘jealous’of the audacity of Malayalam filmmakers. He wrote, “I am just so jealous of Malayalam filmmakers .. the courage, the audacity and the amazing discerning audience of Kerala that empowers the filmmaking..I am so insanely jealous. (sic)” He was also all praise for Mammootty, stating that he will watch Kaathal: The Core next, “and Mammooty..what has he done..next on the list is Kathal.. (sic)”
However, Anurag seemed to find some solace after watching Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies. “My heart is so full after seeing Kiran’s such soulful sincere film. Cried like a baby. And seeing a packed house brings back the hope and faith in Hindi cinema and its audience. Beautiful writing, sincere and honest performances. Bliss, (sic)” he wrote on the website.
The Mollywood film industry is currently experiencing a streak of success with consecutive hits like Bramayugam, Premalu, and Manjummel Boys. Among them, the last one has etched its name in the annals of box office history.
Released on February 22, 2024, the survival thriller Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram, has achieved a remarkable milestone by crossing the Rs. 100 crore mark in gross (worldwide) revenue within just 12 days of its release.
This makes it the first Malayalam film to reach this milestone in 2024. Joining the ranks of illustrious predecessors like Pulimurugan, Lucifer, and 2018, Manjummel Boys stands out as a significant achievement in the Mollywood industry.
Additionally, the film has also made waves in Tamil Nadu, becoming the first Malayalam movie to gross over Rs. 10 crores in the region. Its success has sparked anticipation regarding the potential for further record-breaking performances at the box office.
Starring Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S Poduval, Lal Jr., and others in pivotal roles, Manjummel Boys is produced by Parava Films, featuring a musical score composed by Sushin Shyam.
