Mohanlal, the Malayalam cinema’s evergreen sensation, has made a comeback to headlines with a stunning box office achievement. After the international success of L2: Empuraan, he came back with yet another smash hit — Thudarum — which is now re-writing box office records in Kerala. The seasoned actor has not only solidified his place in history but once again demonstrated that he remains the undisputed monarch of Mollywood as far as audience draw and mass appeal are concerned.
Within 15 days, Thudarum has collected over ₹190 crores globally and does not seem to be slowing down. With incredible response in Kerala and consistent international collections, the film is likely to cross ₹200 crores tomorrow. Furthermore, it is likely to shatter the all-time record of the highest-grossing film in Kerala, which has been standing tall since 2023.
Back-to-Back Success: From L2: Empuraan to Thudarum
Mohanlal’s box office comeback started with L2: Empuraan, the sequel to the 2019 hit Lucifer. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Empuraan stormed the world, collecting over ₹250 crores and turning into an industry hit. The worldwide collections of the film placed it in the elite club of all-time Malayalam hits, solidifying Mohanlal’s pan-Indian popularity and global stardom.
Yet, in spite of its gargantuan success everywhere else, L2: Empuraan failed to shatter the Kerala-box office record that Mohanlal himself set with Puli Murugan. Puli Murugan, which was released in 2016, earned approximately ₹87 crores from Kerala alone and continued to be the yardstick for regional box office performance for years. Even the behemoth Baahubali 2, which set records across India, couldn’t dethrone Puli Murugan in Kerala.
Next came the surprise 2018 hit, featuring Tovino Thomas, inspired by the catastrophic Kerala floods. It beat Puli Murugan in 2023 by earning an estimated ₹90 crores in the state, setting a new record. That record is now in severe danger, though, courtesy of Thudarum.
Thudarum’s Historic March Towards Kerala’s Highest Grosser
What distinguishes Thudarum is its phenomenal run in Kerala. The collections of the film in the state in only two weeks have crossed ₹90 crores, and the movie is likely to cross the ₹100 crore mark in Kerala itself by tomorrow. This would be the first time that a Malayalam film ever grossed ₹100 crores exclusively from Kerala, making an unprecedented record.
Thudarum’s success is not only commercial — it’s symbolic. It proves the lasting influence and unshakeable loyalty of Mohanlal with Kerala audiences. When the Malayalam industry has witnessed the arrival of new heroes and offbeat stories, Mohanlal has once again demonstrated that traditional stardom, when supported by good content and good direction, still possesses unrivaled clout.
The movie’s believable plot, emotional realism, and top-class production values have been universally appreciated. Critics have hailed Mohanlal’s performance as one of his most mature in recent times, exercising restraint along with uncooked intensity. The script keeps the viewer gripped, while the direction manages to please both mass and class equally.
A Statement to the Industry
Thudarum’s success also sends a powerful message to the Indian cinema industry: Malayalam cinema is changing, but its roots remain firm — and Mohanlal is firmly part of that foundation. With back-to-back hits, he has beaten younger peers and reaffirmed his appeal across generations.
The tempo created by Thudarum is anticipated to roll on for the next couple of weeks, with no big releases set to happen directly to take away its share. Trading analysts now expect the film to potentially go on to collect more than ₹275 crores worldwide, which will even surpass even L2: Empuraan, thus becoming potentially Mohanlal’s all-time career hit.
What Lies Ahead for Mohanlal
With this dual success, everyone now looks up to Mohanlal’s coming lineup. The actor has a host of big-ticket films in the pipeline, including with young-generation directors and pan-India banners. The box office takings have rekindled renewed interest from producers and distributors from all regions, promising a healthy market for Mohanlal-starred films beyond the Malayalam-speaking population.
In addition, enthusiasts are wishing that the success of Empuraan and Thudarum would encourage more mass-scale storytelling in Mollywood. It’s a note that domestic stories expressed with sincerity, acted with fervour, and delivered with cinematic panache can win despite everything — both critically and commercially.
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Conclusion: A Triumphant Return
Mohanlal’s victorious comeback to box office supremacy is not merely about figures; it’s the triumph of endurance, timeliness, and eternal fan devotion. With Thudarum ready to make history in Kerala and shatter decades-old records, it is fairly safe to say that the superstar is not merely surfing a wave — he’s commanding it.
As the movie gallops past ₹200 crores globally and zeroes in on the ₹100 crore mark in Kerala alone, the industry looks on in wonder and admiration. Mohanlal’s legacy was already mythical — but with Thudarum, he has opened yet another golden page to it.
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