5 impressive directorial debuts in Malayalam to watch on OTT: Tharun Moorthy’s Operation Java to Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Lucifer

Malayalam cinema boasts of a huge talent pool, with ace filmmakers, writers and actors. Several of the newbie directors were able to prove their mettle with their very first work, including Thudarum director Tharun Moorthy who made a stellar debut with Operation Java. Even stars such as Prithviraj Sukumaran have taken up directorial ventures and proved how brilliant they are behind the camera as well. From Tharun Moorthy’s Operation Java to Prithviraj’s Lucifer, here are some of the impressive directorial debuts in Malayalam to watch on OTTplay Premium.

From Lucifer to Rajamanikyam, enjoy the best of Malayalam cinema on OTTplay Premium 

Top directorial debuts in Malayalam to watch on OTTplay Premium

Lucifer - Prithviraj Sukumaran

After attaining a star status in Malayalam cinema, Prithviraj Sukumaran ventured into direction with the Mohanlal-starrer Lucifer in 2019. The film, which expertly narrated the tale of power struggle in Kerala politics after the Chief Minister’s death, was an instant blockbuster. The second instalment, Empuraan, was also helmed by Prithviraj and shattered records at the box office despite landing in controversies.

Thalapavu - Madhupal

Madhupal, who has acted in several movies in the 1990s, took to direction with this film, which is based on real events. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Lal play the lead roles in this film, which went on to win several Kerala State Film Awards, including for best debut director. The film follows a police constable, who confesses to having shot down a Naxalite in the 1970s in a fake encounter.

1001 Nunakal - Thamar KV

Thamar KV made a confident debut with 1001 Nunakal in 2022. As a bunch of friends come together, they decide to start a fun game of revealing one lie about their partner that eventually leads to undesirable consequences. Vishnu Agasthya, Shamla Hamza, Ninin Kassim, Zhinz Shan and Remya Suresh form the ensemble cast. Thamar’s second film, Sarkeet, starring Asif Ali, is now out in theatres.

Operation Java - Tharun Moorth y

Tharun Moorthy is all the rage in Kerala after his third directorial with Mohanlal, Thudarum, struck the jackpot at the box office. However, Tharun Moorthy’s debut directorial Operation Java was also much talked about, even though it did not have any star actors. Balu Varghese and Lukman Avaran play the lead roles of two engineering graduates who help the Kochi cyber cell team to crack cases.

Rajamanikyam - Anwar Rasheed

Anwar Rasheed teamed up with Mammootty for his debut directorial work, which was a success at the theatres. Several scenes and dialogues from the film, which had Mammootty speaking in a Thiruvananthapuram dialect, became very popular and still continue to do the rounds as memes and trolls. The film revolves around Bellary Raja, who seeks to put an end to the disputes between his stepfather's children.