There has been a debate on social media claiming that Malayalam cinema or Mollywood is far superior to Tamil cinema. People often say that Kollywood does not make movies like the Malayalam industry, or that they have a lot to learn from them. Some even argue that if a few Tamil films had been released in Malayalam, they would have been celebrated as masterpieces. But before romanticising this comparison, it is important to ask a simple question. On what basis are you comparing two massive industries that function under completely different systems and audience mindsets.
Let us start with the numbers. In 2024, the Malayalam film industry released around 200 films. The Tamil industry released slightly over 250. Out of those 200 Malayalam films, only about 25 to 30 were considered successful either commercially or critically. And out of that list, most people can name only a handful that went viral on social media for example films like Manjummel Boys, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil or Kishkinda Kaandam. So how fair is it to generalise that Malayalam cinema is always better. For every Bramayugam there are ten others that no one even talks about. The same applies to Tamil cinema. Both industries make good films, average films and bad films.
Now coming to the next question, if Tamil cinema has so much talent and resources, why do we still make so many forgettable films. The answer lies not just with the creators but also with the audience. What kind of films do Tamil audiences celebrate the most. Mass commercial entertainers. The kind of films where logic takes a back seat but whistles fill the theatre. So what do filmmakers make next. Another film that caters to that same mindset. Because in the end cinema is business, not charity.
Even Director Sundar C once said in an interview that if Tamil audiences had supported Anbe Sivam he would have made more such meaningful films. But when those films fail and the same audience celebrates his Aranmanai series what message does it send. Directors simply follow demand. If the crowd only rewards commercial formulas, then art will naturally become formulaic. The audience has as much responsibility as the filmmaker.
Now let us talk about the argument that “if this Tamil film had released in Malayalam it would have been celebrated as a cult". That line has been repeated so many times that it has lost meaning. Great cinema is not about where it releases but about how it is written. Writing is the backbone. This is one area where Kollywood has truly fallen behind. Directors here want to take credit for everything like story, screenplay, direction and somewhere in this process, the film loses its depth. Malayalam cinema on the other hand, treats writing as a separate discipline. There is a writer who lives and breathes the script, and a director who interprets it. That distinction matters.
Kollywood also suffers from another illusion that casting an actor with a fan base can guarantee success. It does not work like that. Compare the choices of top stars in both industries. Rajinikanth’s last four films were Coolie, Jailer, Vettaiyan, Annathey. Mammootty’s last four were Turbo, Bramayugam, Kaathal, Kannur squad. The difference is evident. One relies on the image, the other experiments with roles. You might say the actors make their own choices, but in truth they mirror what the audience demands.
The issue is not that Tamil cinema lacks talent or that Malayalam cinema is flawless. The issue is that you as viewers, have created a culture where mediocrity sells and craft struggles. When we cheer for repetitive stories, we tell filmmakers that this is enough. When we mock films that try something new, we push the industry a step back.
So before making another sweeping statement that Malayalam cinema is better, ask yourself who is really responsible for what Tamil cinema has become. The problem is not with the filmmakers alone. It starts with the audience that decides what deserves to be celebrated.
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