5 Malayalam movies that broke stereotypes about women and where to watch on OTT

Women's Day: From Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah to Anna Ben-led Sara's, here’s a look at Malayalam movies where women broke stereotypes, and not necessarily to enter the best books.

Lokah, Sara's

Bollywood star Ananya Panday recently spoke about how actresses can have fun in films and still deliver a blockbuster success, citing the example of Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra. For long, women-led movies were about their goddess-like qualities, the pursuit of justice and the ultimate bearer of all ill things. But cinema has begun to give more space, if not broaden their horizons, for actresses to just be, and breathe roles into characters that are as diverse as the people around us. Here’s a look at Malayalam movies where women broke stereotypes, and not necessarily to enter the best books.

Where to watch women-led Malayalam movies

Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra

Where to watch: JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium

Kalyani Priyadarshan broke quite a few records with her superhero avatar in Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra, which became the first Malayalam film to amass Rs 300 crore, whether male or female. And that she is only the female actor in the top 10 list of Malayalam’s highest-grossing movies speaks volumes of her achievements. Helmed by Dominic Arun and co-written by Santhy Balachandran, Lokah revolves around a mysterious woman who is later revealed to be a vampire-like creature who has been around for centuries. Kalyani aced some stellar action scenes too in this movie, which reimagined the tale of Yakshi (a dreaded folklore character) for the modern generation.

Sookshmadarshini

Where to watch: JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium

Actress Nazriya Nazim shoulders this Malayalam film as Priyadarshini, who is overly inquisitive about everything around her, including the new neighbours, Manuel and his mother (Ammachi). But when Ammachi goes missing from home, Priya fears the worst and sets out to find the truth. Priya is a spunky homemaker, for whom a pressure cooker's whistle is also a vital clue. Not just Nazriya, but Manohari Joy also gets to play an interesting character in the film with actor-filmmaker Basil Joseph as her son.

Also read: Liked Meena in Roslin? Other Malayalam actresses who aced unsuspecting villain roles and where to watch

Bhoothakaalam

Where to watch: SonyLiv via OTTplay Premium

Iconic actress Revathy began her career in the 1980s and was a strong presence in Malayalam cinema up until the mid-1990s. But it took the 2022 film Bhoothaakalam to fetch her first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. Revathy plays Asha, who lives with her laidback son Vinu. After a death in the family, Vinu begins to have eerie experiences and his mother’s controlling nature is not helping him either. Director Rahul Sadasivan’s horror thriller gives us a different yet nuanced mother role.

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey

Where to watch: JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium

A young woman caught in an abusive relationship has been part of both our real and reel tales for long. But with no support coming her way even from her family, Jaya decides enough is enough and decides to literally fight her way back. The young woman puts YouTube videos to good use and gives it back to her husband Rajesh. In one of the most popular scenes from the movie, Jaya and Rajesh fight it out in his house with commentary by football commentator Shaiju Damodaran, that elevated the whole sequence in Vipin Das film.

Sara's

Where to watch: Prime Video (Available for OTTplay Premium subscribers with a top-up)

A young woman declares that she does not want to have children, much to the chagrin of her family and in-laws. Actress Anna Ben plays aspiring filmmaker Sara, who refuses to bow down to society and family's expectations, and settle down in life. Actor Sunny Wayne plays her boyfriend-turned-husband Jeevan. Jude Anthany Joseph directed the film, which promises an entertaining watch despite the message it conveys.

Malayalam movie FAQs

Q. Which is the most successful Malayalam movie?

A. The most successful Malayalam movie is Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra which made over Rs 300 crore.

Q. Which are the Malayalam movies to watch on Women's Day?

A. You can watch Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra Sookshmadarshini, Bhoothakaalam, and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey that have strong women roles.

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