Last 10 Times When Movies Of Mammootty And Mohanlal Clashed At The BO

Last year’s Onam season saw both Mammootty and Mohanlal coming with films from established directors. Loham (August 20, 2015), was a Ranjith film, while Utopiayile Rajavu (August 27,2015) was a Kamal movie. Here, just like the previous Onam, both movies failed with the critics, though Loham made a strong first week collections. Utopiayile Rajavu wasn’t able to make the cash register ring much louder. Both the movies failed to make big numbers at the BO.

It was after a long gap, Kerala Box Office was witnessing a clash of the Titans and that too for the Onam season. Preuchazhi (August 29, 2014) was a comedy entertainer, while Rajadhi Raja (September 5, 2014) belonged to the genre of mass entertainer. Both the movies failed to get good reviews but due to the advantage of the season, made good initial collections. And both movies ended up being hits at the box-office, with Rajadhi Raja edging over Peruchazhi.

Here, Best Actor (December 9, 2010), directed by debutant Martin Prakkat, came with a very low hype but went on to be a huge hit at the box office. The movie also won a lot of praises from the critics. Whereas, Kandahar (December 16, 2010), helmed by Major Ravi, came with great fanfare and expectations. The main reason for the hype was, Amitabh Bachchan debuting in Malayalam. But, the movie was a big let down and failed at the cash counters.

Suspense thriller Shikkar (September 9, 2010) was directed by M. Padmakumar and handled the subject of Naxalism. Satire comedy Pranchiyettan & The Saint (September 10, 2010) was directed by Ranjith and was a comic mocking of the society. Though the pre-release hype was in favor of Shikkar, Pranchiyettan became unstoppable post the release. Critics and audience, both, favored the Mammootty film and the movie went on to become a huge success. While, Shikkar had a pretty decent collection and was a hit.

Historic movie Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (October 16, 2009), was the biggest release and biggest Malayalam movie (in terms of budget) at that time. The movie received a great acceptance among the audience as well as the critics. It went on to be a big time hit. Coming to Angle John (October 22, 2009), it was one of those movies which didn’t find much support even from the fans. Though the movie had an interesting plot, it fell on its face at the box office.

Sathyan Anthikad directed family drama Innathe Chintha Vishayam (April 12, 2008) clashed with Anwar Rasheed directed comedy family entertainer Annan Thambi (April 17, 2008). Both the movies were popular among the audience as well as the critics. But, the fun filled Annan Thambi edged over the former, to become the box office winner. This movie has its place among the top Mammootty box office hits. Still, Innathe Chintha Vishayam had a good run at the BO.

This was first of the two clashes between the Big Ms in 2007. This was also the clash between two of the best directors among the new generation filmmakers. Chotta Mumbai (April 06, 2007), directed by Anwar Rasheed, was an in and out masala laughter riot. On the other hand, Big B (April 13, 2007), directed by Amal Neerad, was first of its kind action thriller in Malayalam. This movie also gave a new dimension, in the aspects of technical perfection and storytelling, to the gangster films genre in Malayalam. Both the movies were mass films and did good business at the BO. But the winner in this case was Chotta Mumbai, which went on to become one of the top among Mohanlal box office hits.

Comedy entertainer Hallo (July 5, 2007) came from the hitmaking duo of Rafi and Mecartin. While Mission 90 Days (July 12, 2007), based on the investigation of PM Rajiv Gandhi assassination, was the second directorial venture of Major Ravi. The latter got a thumbs up from the side of the critics. But the audience favored the comedy entertainer over the action thriller. Hallo became one of the biggest hits of the year, while Mission 90 Days was unable to put up a good show at the cash counters.

Pothen Vava (October 21, 2006), directed by Joshiy, was a mainstream commercial flick whereas Rajan Pramod director Photographer (October 24, 2006) was more of an artistic movie. Though the latter had a good suspense element in it, the film failed to get a thumbs up from the audience and was a dud at the box office. Almost similar was the case of Pothen Vava. It had more of a mixed response and ended up as an average hit at the BO.

Both these movies were the Onam releases of the year. Bhagavacharitam Moonam Khandam (Augst 25, 2006) was directed by Jomon and felt flat at the box office. Later came Mahasamudram (September 1, 2006) which was helmed by S. Janardanan. This movie also had the same fate as the first. This was also one of those rare times, when  both the movies of Big M's failed to impress the audience.