The Kerala box office has seen spectacular movies and mythological runs, but one milestone has remained firmly out of reach: the 100 Cr milestone. While other industries such as Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada have easily given us triple-digit grossers, Kerala continues to await that moment. Movies such as Pulimurugan and 2018 came so close but the mark is still intact.
When Mohanlal’s much-awaited Empuraan (L2E) was announced, hopes skyrocketed. Fans and trade analysts alike felt that Empuraan would be the landmark film to cross the 100 Cr mark in Kerala itself. But fate had other ideas. Even with the enormous hype and Mohanlal’s unparalleled stardom, Empuraan failed to deliver, grossing about 86 Cr. The disappointment was shared, and the quest for Kerala’s first 100 Cr grosser went on.
Unexpectedly, as hope dwindled, a fresh player entered the scene — Thudarum. Under the direction of promising Tharun Moorthy, Mohanlal’s low-budget venture is now making its way to the prized milestone at a sizzling pace.
Thunderous Opening Weekend Of Thudarum
No one expected Thudarum to light up the box office with its comparatively moderate promotions and lowered expectations in light of big-ticket fare. Yet the content of the film rang a bell, and the figures tell the emerging mania tale.
Thudarum opened its career at the box office with a whopping 5 Cr+ gross on day one. The momentum just continued. It picked up 7 Cr on day two, and pre-opening trends for day three indicated 8 Cr+ was within sight. If the trends turn out true, Thudarum would enter its first weekend with an amazing 20 Cr+ gross, something that even larger star-driven movies at times fail to collect.
This record-breaking weekend show has set off a fresh wave of enthusiasm among Malayalam cinema enthusiasts. More significantly, the advance bookings for the first weekday are beating even the opening day bookings — a phenomenon that happens very rarely and points to rock-solid word of mouth and robust audience pull.
Can Thudarum Cross the 100 Cr Mark?
The million-dollar question doing the rounds all over Kerala is straightforward: Can Thudarum achieve what Empuraan failed to do?
Empuraan, with so much pomp and show, floundered due to the mountain of expectations on its shoulders. Thudarum, in comparison, made its entry softly, captured imagination through its narrative, and organically gained strength now. The contrast in direction is quite impressive.
If Thudarum keeps this grip going for the next fortnight — and indications are that it very well may — the 100 Cr dream could finally come true for the Kerala industry. The weekday trends are important, but with the mammoth positive reaction and family audience acceptance, the film has all the right ingredients for a successful and long run.
In addition, the absence of robust competition from the Kerala box office for the coming weeks allows Thudarum a golden opportunity to rake in its collections to the fullest.
Tharun Moorthy and Mohanlal’s Winning Combination
The other main reason for Thudarum’s triumph is the new combination of director Tharun Moorthy and Mohanlal. Tharun, famous for his realistic storytelling and down-to-earth storylines, elicited a natural performance from Mohanlal, reminding audience members of the legendary actor’s amazing versatility.
Instead of banking on big action set-pieces or heavy VFX, Thudarum leans heavily on emotional storytelling, strong character arcs, and powerful performances. The audiences appreciated the film’s sincerity, which translated into sustained footfalls at theaters across Kerala.
The co-production has demonstrated that content is indeed king. In an era where huge marketing and hype tend to dwindle within days, Thudarum is setting a different agenda — one that is solely dictated by the passion and affection of the fans.
A Historic Moment Awaits?
If Thudarum is able to reach the 100 Cr gross mark, it would be a record-breaking feat not only for Mohanlal but also for the entire Malayalam cinema industry. It would establish a new benchmark and demonstrate that Malayalam cinema, which is typically acclaimed for its content-oriented strategy, can conquer solely based on numbers alone without the need for pan-India support.
The success of the film will also remind us that even low-to-medium budget movies can achieve unimaginable heights with good storytelling and real audience connection.
Mohanlal, the legend of Indian cinema, would once again have his name engraved in the pages of history books, this time as the hero of Kerala’s first 100 Cr grosser. For Tharun Moorthy, director of the movie, it would be a meteoric ascent to put him amongst the most prized filmmakers in South Indian cinema.
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Final Thoughts
Thudarum’s journey is turning out to be a fairy-tale success that nobody predicted. From humble origins to potentially becoming the first Malayalam movie ever to cross 100 Cr in Kerala, the success story of the movie is inspiring and thrilling.
As viewers, observers, and trade analysts anxiously wait to see the figures come in, one fact is certain — Thudarum has rekindled the Malayalam film spirit, showing that genuine success always starts with a great story, honest performances, and faith from the audience.
The next few weeks will tell us if Thudarum will eventually break through that stubborn 100 Cr mark. But what’s sure is this — the movie has already won hearts, and sometimes that’s the biggest win of them all.
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