10 Romantic Malayalam Movies of All Time

02 May 2016
Fathima AbdulKader
Features

If you always run to Bollywood or Hollywood for a good romance, think again and give these Mollywood movies a chance!

Forget about DDLJ,KKHH ,KANK or any of the other million popular abbreviated Bollywood movies or the well favoured P.S. I Love You, or The Notebook from Hollywood. Malayalam movie industry has been doing romance the right way for a long time. From Cheemeen in 1965 to Charlie in 2015, the plethora of good romantic Malayalam movies continues. If you are ready to shed a few tears, enjoy some classic love stories, we at WtzupCity has put together a list of the movies from the last four decades that we think will surprise first time watchers.

Annayum Resulum (2013)

A story of star crossed lovers, who had everything from religion, money, family, all standing against them. This is a movie about real people- about a taxi driver and a textile sales girl from Kochi who fall head over heels in love, and decide to fight for each other tooth and nail.
Watch this if you: are someone who loves real movies, and is not one for grand gestures and unreal expressions of love.
Salt N Pepper (2011)

The story of two people who were caught up with their career and their responsibilities and ended up forgetting the need for companionship until a little too late. This movie was the first of those that started off the new-generation trend of having a fresh take on all things movie related.
Watch this if you: have a love for romantic comedies and food related story lines(who doesn’t right?)
Ore Kadal (2007)

The story of a theorist devoid of any emotions, and a housewife who enters into an extramaritial relationship unintentionally, Ore Kadal is a story that examines themes about the pseudo intellectual image that the hero maintains, while the heroine faces horrors from her guilty conscience. Although it seems like an “award film” it is an enlightening movie about what makes or breaks a relationship.
Watch this if you: are not one for movies that scream their premise to you, but prefer those that leave you contemplating about the bigger things in life.
Summer In Bethlehem (1998)

A lighthearted movie about a summer vacation in a high range with the whole family, Summer In Bethlehem is probably a movie most 90s kids grew up watching. The song “ethrayo janmamaayi” from this movie is one of the most beloved songs of all time. Although the movie boasts of laughter inducing antics from Jayaram, Suresh Gopi and Kalabhavan mani, there is a much bigger story hidden beneath the silly summer time. The story of abhirami who loved a Naxalite, but later learns to be realistic and to love who loves her, and not to cling on to improbable dreams.
Watch this if you: want a light hearted family movie with a romantic undertone
Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu (1997)

Set in a quaint little village in Andhra Pradhesh, Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalath is a story about falling in love, keeping promises, questioning moral responsibilities and love succeeding all. The movie starring Manju Warrier, Jayaram, and Biju Menon is a bigger than being just another romantic movie. A great storyline, amazing locations and mesmerizing songs, this is a perfect romantic movie.
Watch this if you: are one who loves “for will they make it or not?” kind of movies.
Aniyathipravu(1997)

A cross cultural romance that is still remembered by those who grew up in the 90s. The highlights are the amazing chemistry between the leads, a great cast of supporting actors and outstanding music and direction. The success of this movie shot shalini and kunjako boban in to fame and they came together again in many other movies because of their onscreen chemistry.
Watch this if you: want to watch a typical boy meets girl story portayed by actors with amazing on screen chemistry.
Sallapam(1996)

Sallapam is a movie about teenage naivety and the pang of first love. The heroine believes their love to be all enduring, but she discovers the reality of life and relationship when the hero refuses to marry her. The broken heroine is picked back up and made whole again by someone in her life, who she never even expected to care for her.
Watch this if you: would like to have a trip down memory lane, with melodious songs and love stories were simple.
Thoovanamthumbikal(1987)

An out of the ordinary love story by Padmarajan, this movie can stand the test of any time. The hero enters into a relationship with a prostitute, yet their relationship is strangely beautiful rather than crude as one would expect it to be. She comes and leaves his life as she pleases, like unexpected sprays of rain and he is wondering again and again. “Clara” the heroine became synonymous with “the one that got away” for a generation of men. The movie was strangely non-judgemental and forward for the 80s.
Watch this if you: would like to see Mohanlal at his best form, portraying a man lost in love and the story of a taboo relationship even for current times.
Namukku Parkaan Mundhiri Thoppukal (1986)

Yet another Mohanlal- Padmarajan movie, set in the premise of a Christian family and filled with biblical allusions, this movie is a warm fairytale about Soloman and Sofia, who converse through biblical verses. The movie is set apart by atypical storyline, exceptional musical accompaniment, the examination of themes of domestic abuse and more.
Watch this if you: would like to watch a fairytale like romance movie.

Yaathra (1985)

An orphaned forest officer who fell in love with a local girl- the protagonist gets convicted on some unexpected charges. He is traveling back to where the girl lives, wondering whether she will still be waiting for him.
Watch this if you: would like to watch a romantic movie about having hope even in the worst of times.
A little extra: If you don't mind a little over the top acting as they did it in the 60s, go ahead and watch Chemeen. The story had instances of premarital and extra marital relationship between a poor Hindu girl and a rich Muslim man, which is still a touchy subject, it was a technical wonder at the time it was released.