Malayalam film industry faces deep financial crisis amidst internal rift
Kochi: The Malayalam film industry is grappling with a severe financial crisis, with producers and actors locked in a public dispute over rising production costs and remuneration demands. The Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has announced an industry-wide strike from June 1, citing unsustainable expenses and declining box office returns.
KFPA Vice President G Suresh Kumar blamed actors and technicians for inflating their fees after a few successful films, leading to financial instability. He claimed that even movies entering the so-called ₹100 crore club do not yield significant profits for producers. "If a film earns ₹1 from theatres, only 25 paise reaches the producer," Kumar stated.
However, prominent producer Antony Perumbavoor criticised the strike decision, arguing it lacked proper discussions among stakeholders and would negatively impact many industry workers. Several actors, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and Unni Mukundan, supported Antony’s stance, intensifying the divide within the industry.
The dispute escalated after KFPA, along with film distributors and theatre owners, proposed banning films produced by actors from being screened. This move, seen as an unprecedented challenge, could lead to open confrontation with stars like Mammootty, Prithviraj, and Fahadh Faasil, who own production companies.
KFPA estimates that the Malayalam film industry suffered losses of ₹700 crore in 2024, despite a total investment of ₹1,000 crore. While 207 films were released last year, only 24 were considered successful. In January 2025 alone, 28 films hit theatres, but only one, Rekhachitram, made it to the hit list.
According to Saji Nanthyatt, Secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber, poor financial discipline, high daily production costs, and increasing wages for technicians and actors are pushing producers into crisis. He noted that changing audience preferences are also affecting the industry, with younger viewers dominating theatres while family audiences decline.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several Malayalam films, including Drishyam 2 and Minnal Murali, found success on OTT platforms. However, streaming services have since altered their strategies, now preferring films with strong theatrical performances. This shift has further reduced revenue opportunities for struggling producers.
Amidst the crisis, industry leaders are urging the Kerala government to address double taxation on movie tickets and provide financial support by officially recognising the film sector as an industry. Discussions with authorities are expected, failing which the indefinite strike may proceed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Prasidh, Kuldeep limit South Africa to 270 after De Kock's hundred
Visakhapatnam (PTI): India fought back gallantly through Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav after Quinton de Kock struck his 23rd hundred, keeping South Africa to a manageable 270 in the third and series-deciding final ODI, here Saturday.
India won the toss after judging the spin of the coin incorrectly 20 times in a row. They had little hesitation in inserting the Proteas into bat, a clear indication of dew factor dominating the thought.
After Arshdeep Singh sent back Ryan Rickelton early, De Kock (106, 89b, 8x4, 6x4) struck his seventh century against India and put on 113 runs off 124 balls with skipper Temba Bavuma (48, 67b) as the visitors moved to a healthy position.
De Kock was severe on Prasidh (4/66), who erred on length continuously in his first spell (2-0-27-0). The left-hander biffed the pacer for 6, 6, 4 in his second over to milk 18 runs.
The 32-year-old quickly pounced on anything that was short, and pacers Prasidh and Harshit offered him plenty of feed on his pet areas.
Bavuma was more sedate, and made runs through those typical dabs and jabs, occasionally unfurling a drive of elan.
De Kock moved to fifty in 42 balls, and never let the tempo down reaching his hundred in 79 balls.
India found temporary relief when Ravindra Jadeja induced a false slash from Bavuma to get caught by Virat Kohli at point.
The tourists got another move on through a 54-run partnership between De Kock and Matthew Breetzkle for the third wicket, and at 168 for two in 28 overs they were in a good position to press on.
But Breetzke's punishment of part-time spinner Tilak Varma forced a rethink in the Indian camp, as skipper KL Rahul brought back Prasidh for a second spell.
What a masterstroke it turned out to be! The Karnataka man broke the back of South Africa’s top and middle order in an exceptional second spell (4-0-11-3).
Breetzke was the first man to go, trapped plumb in front with a straight one and four balls later Aiden Markram uppishly chipped a fuller delivery to Kohli at short covers.
Prasidh soon castled De Kock, whose ugly cross-batted swipe failed to connect a full length delivery from the pacer.
All of a sudden, SA found themselves at a shaky 199 for five, losing three wickets in the space of three overs.
Once Prasidh was done away with the top and middle-order, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (4/41) took over and mopped up the tail as SA fell short of even a par total on this track.
