If you’ve scrolled through social media recently, you’ve likely seen the buzz. A low-budget thriller with no major stars. A family drama shot entirely during lockdown. A black-and-white experimental film. All of them are Malayalam , and all of them are making waves not just in Kerala, but across the globe.

You still have an 80% chance of liking a random new Malayalam movie. That’s a better hit rate than any other film industry right now. Final Take If you haven't watched a new release Malayalam movie in the last three months, you are missing the most exciting laboratory of storytelling in India. These filmmakers aren't trying to beat Bollywood or Hollywood. They are trying to beat their last film. And that internal competition is producing gold.

What’s the last Malayalam movie that genuinely surprised you? Drop the name in the comments. Stay tuned for next week’s post: "The OTT vs. Theater Debate: Where do Malayalam movies belong?"