Ayalvaashi vs Sulaikha Manzil vs Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham: Friends gear up for Eid box office clash in M-Town

It’s not often that friends who have always wanted to make movies, finally accomplish that feat and release their films on the very same day. This April 21 is a box office clash of friends in Malayalam cinema with Irshad Parari’s Ayalvaashi, Ashraf Hamza’s Sulaikha Manzil and Muhashin’s Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham hitting theatres as Eid releases.

Ashraf, who had previously helmed Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi, had faced a similar situation back in 2019 when his debut film was released. “Back then, Aashiq Abu’s Virus, which was co-scripted by Muhsin Parari, released a few days later and Harshad and Khalid Rahman’s Unda a week later. So, I am not really new to this,” he says, in an exclusive chat with OTTplay.

Also read: Sulaikha Manzil: Never doubted Lukman Avaran's calibre as an actor, says Ashraf Hamza | Exclusive 

This time too, Harshad is part of the battle, having scripted Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham. Muhashin, who has helmed the Basil Joseph-starrer, tells us, “All of us are happy. We tell each other that though it’s ‘cheriya perunnal’, it’s ‘valiya perunnal’ for all of us. We dreamt about movies. Cinema is all we, including Ashraf, who is much senior to us, discuss about. So, from a stage to asking ourselves ‘when can we do a film?’ to releasing all our films together on the same day is just delightful.”

Also read: Prayed Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham didn’t get a star as we wanted audience to focus solely on the story: Muhashin 

The teams have been supportive of each other’s ventures too. Irshad, who has directed Soubin Shahir’s Ayalvaashi, says, “It’s the first film for Muhashin and me. Ashraf has already directed two movies. have been sharing their movies’ posters, songs and teasers and have been supportive throughout. Similarly, Ashraf’s also done that.”

Though the team have been supportive of each other’s ventures, there’s still the thought of their movie reigning supreme at the box office during Eid. “Obviously, I would want my film to work but that doesn’t mean other movies should fail. So, it’s both awkward and exciting,” says Irshad.

Supporting him, Ashraf says, “I believe Sulaikha Manzil has space, especially because it’s a movie about celebration and is releasing after Vishu and during Eid. Also, because all of them are friends too, we can’t wish ill for their movies either.” Incidentally, Aashiq Abu, who had produced Ashraf’s Bheemante Vazhi, also has Neelavelicham slated for release on April 20.