10 Malayalam Movies Which Had Same Titles But Are Of Different Genres

Directed by Harikumar, Oozham of 1988 was a pure family drama. It had Madhu, Thilakan, Sukumari and Parvathy in the lead roles. The script was by John Paul and Balachandran Chullikkad. 

While Jeethu Joseph directed 2016 Oozham was a pakka revenge thriller drama. The movie had a lot of speculations about its genre before the director confirmed that the story is all about a person’s revenge. This Prithviraj starrer was an Onam release and was a hit.

Dileep starrer Vismayam of 1998 was a romantic family movie. It was also the first Malayalam film to have the element of magical realism in the story. This film was directed by Ragunath Paleri. But the movie was unable to do much magic at the box office. 

Mohanlal starrer Vismayam of 2016 was the dubbed version of Telugu movie Manamantha, which was produced and released simultaneously. This movie falls under the genre of family thriller with a touch of realism. The movie was a critical success but failed to carry that momentum at the cash counters.

First Vettah was released in 1984 was directed by Mohanroop. This romantic thriller had Mammootty and Mohanlal in the lead roles. Popular actress of 1980s, Prameela was the female lead. Interesting fact is that, director Mohanroop died on the third day of Rajesh Pillai’s death, who directed the second Vettah. 

While Vettah of 2016 was a suspense mystery thriller and also the last film of director Rajesh Pillai. This film had Kunchacko Boban, Manju Warrier and Indrajith in the main roles. Though the movie had a good punch, it failed to build on it and ended up as a box office failure.

Anarkali released in 1966 was the Malayalam remake of the Hindi film with the same title and was based on the love story of Anarkali and Prince Salim. It was bankrolled and directed by Kunchacko and had almost all the major stars of Malayalam at that time. Fun fact is that singer KJ Yesudas played the role of Tansen, in this movie. 

While Prithviraj starrer Sachy directed Anarkali of 2015 was not telling the historical love story. It was a modern day romantic thriller, with majority of the portion shot in Lakshadweep. The movie was a big time success.

5 Sundarikal of 1968 had Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. Directed by M Krishnan Nair. The movie was a comedy family entertainer. Another highlight of the movie was that it was scripted by Jagathy NK Achari, famous theater artist and father of Comedy King Jagathy Sreekumar. 

But 5 Sundarikal release in 2013 was an anthology directed by Shyju Khalid, Sameer Thahir, Aashiq Abu, Amal Neerad and Anwar Rasheed. It had an ensemble cast including the stars like Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly and Fahadh Faasil. This anthology was a critical success and all the segments had female characters in the focus.

1978 released Nivedyam was directed by J Sasikumar and was a romantic drama. It had Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi and Sreelatha in the lead roles. 

While the 2007 released Nivedyam was a musical love story written and directed by AK Lohithadas. The movie also was the debut of Vinu Mohan and Bhama. The songs composed by M Jayachandran were big hit but the movie wasn’t.

Vellinakshatram released in 1949, was the seventh Malayalam film and also the first production of Udaya Studios. The movie was an emotional drama and was also the first film to be completely produced in Kerala. Though it holds these much of ‘first’ to its name, sadly not even a frame of the movie is currently available. 

While, Vinanyan directed Vellinakshatram of 2004, is one of the Malayalam horror movies which gives you chills! This movie was a big commercial success. The movie’s popularity was majorly due to the brilliant performance by Baby (late) Taruni Sachdev.

The first Chathurangam in 1959, directed by JD Thottan was a to-the-core family drama. It had Prem Nazir and Miss Kumari in the lead roles. Music, by Devarajan master, was another attraction of this movie and it had 10 tracks. 

The Chathurangam of 2002, starring Superstar Mohanlal, will be one of those “attempted” mass movies which even a Mohanlal fan won’t happily associate with the actor. Directed by K Madhu, the movie didn’t make any waves, though it was a throughout Mohanlal show.

1973 released Kalachakram was the same old romantic drama of 1980s. The highlight of this movie, which had Evergreen star Prem Nazir in the lead, is that it is the first movie in which Mammootty had a dialogue. It was also his second big screen appearance.

While, Kalachakram of 2002 was more of a sci-fi thriller. The movie, directed by Sonu Sisupal had an interesting plot. Before Adolf Hitler died, he had frozen his cells to be regenerated in the future and in 2005 few mad men attempt to bring back Hitler using those cells. This was the plot but poor execution, low budget production and a star less cast made it an affair not to remember.

Newspaper Boy of 1955, holds a lot of gravitas to itself. It is an unavoidable chapter in the world cinema itself. Not only it was the first neo-realistic movie in Malayalam, apparently, it was also the world’s first commercial film made by students. Yes, the cast and crew, led by P. Ramdas were students of Adarsh Kalamandir. It was a Big critical success. 

While the movie released with the same title in 1997, was more of a slapstick comedy with Kalabhavan Mani and Mukesh in the lead roles. Directed by Nissar, this movie was one of those, which seriously doesn’t have anything to add to its credit.