Aashirvad Cinemas
Indian film studio

Aashirvad Cinemas
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2000
Headquarters
Kochi
,
India
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsFilms
OwnerAntony Perumbavoor
SubsidiariesMaxlab Cinemas and Entertainments
Websitewww.aashirvadcinemas.in

Aashirvad Cinemas is an Indian film production company based in Kochi, Kerala. It was established in 2000 by Antony Perumbavoor, since then, it has produced over 30 Malayalam films, starring Mohanlal.[1] Since 2009, the company co-operates with the distribution company Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments co-founded by Mohanlal and Antony Perumbavoor for distributing films. It is one among the most active and leading production houses in the Malayalam film industry.

Aashirvad Cinemas has established itself by producing several hits such as Narasimham (2000), Ravanaprabhu (2001), Naran (2005),Rasathanthram (2006), Drishyam (2013), Oppam (2016), Lucifer (2019) and Neru (2023).[2] It has also produced three of the most expensive Malayalam films — Odiyan (2018), Lucifer (2019), and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (2020) with Marakkar not being profitable ventures for the production house.

Aashirvad Cinemas has won several awards, including two National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South. In 2019, Aashirvad Cinemas opened office in Hong Kong with the name Feitian Aashirvad Cinemas and signed an agreement with a Chinese film production company to co-produce and distribute films in China. Aashirvad Cinemas is the currently the biggest production company in Mollywood. It has made big budget films like Odiyan (₹30 crore), Lucifer (₹35 crore), Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (₹100 crore), and Barroz (₹150 crore).

History

2000-2010

Aashirvad Cinemas was founded by Mohanlal's former chauffeur Antony Perumbavoor in 2000. Its first production was the 2000 film, Narasimham. The company's next was the 2001 action drama film, Raavanaprabhu, which was a sequel to the 1993 film, Devasuram. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value[citation needed]. Over the years, Aashrivad Cinemas have continued to receive great reception and success for their films and continue making new records. The action drama Natturajavu was the only release in 2004. It released coinciding with the festival of Onam and was the winner among the Onam releases.[3] Joshiy-directed action drama Naran was the only release in 2005, which was the winner among the Onam releases of the year.[4] In the following year, Sathyan Anthikkad-directed family drama Rasathanthram became a commercial success.[2] Two films released in 2009, action film Sagar Alias Jackie Reloaded directed by Amal Neerad, a spiritual successor to Mohanlal's 1987 film Irupatham Noottandu. It had a good opening which did not sustain in the following weeks.[5]

2010-2020

The 2011 comedy film China Town made ₹15.2 crore at the box office and was a major commercial success.[6][7] The 2012 drama Spirit won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues[citation needed]. In 2013, family-thriller Drishyam received widespread critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing Malayalam and industry hit film and the first to gross over ₹50 crore mark at the box office. The 2016 crime thriller Oppam also became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time by grossing ₹65 crore worldwide. Mohanlal and Lal Jose collaborated for the first time in Velipadinte Pusthakam in 2017, which was a moderate success.[8] In 2019, Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed action drama Lucifer grossed ₹128 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film till date, beating Mohanlal's Pulimurugan. It was also the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crores in overseas markets. It was followed by the comedy-drama Ittymaani: Made in China directed by debutant duo Jibi-Joju.

2021-present

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aashirvad Cinemas produced the sequel to Drishyam, Drishyam 2, which was the first film in Mohanlal's career to premiere on an OTT platform Amazon Prime Video instead of the normal theatrical release. The film received widespread positive reviews. Then the company produced Telugu film titled Drushyam 2 (co-produced by Suresh Productions and RajKumar Theatres), which was a remake of Drishyam 2 also premiered on OTT platform Amazon Prime Video instead of the theatrical release. Then the company produced Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (co-produced by Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group), an action period film directed by Priyadarshan based on the life of Kunjali Marakkar. It is the most expensive Malayalam film ever, with a budget of ₹100 crores. The film released on 2 December 2021 and met with negative reviews and became a Box-office failure.[9] In 2022, the company produced three films, out of which two films, Bro Daddy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and 12th Man directed by Jeethu Joseph had Direct OTT release on Disney+ Hotstar. Both films received generally positive reviews. Then they produced Monster directed by Vysakh and the film was Mohanlal's second collaboration with Vysakh (as director) after Pulimurugan which received negative reviews and was a Box-office failure.[10] In 2023, the company produced Alone directed by Shaji Kailas. The film received mixed to positive reviews but was a Box-office failure mainly because the film was originally filmed for OTT.[11] In the same year, the company produced the court room drama film Neru directed by Jeethu Joseph and received highly positive response and became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time by grossing ₹100 crore worldwide.[12][13][14] In 2024, Mohanlal's debut directorial Barroz was released mostly to mixed reviews. The film became one of the biggest Box-office bomb.[15] Their next project will be the sequel to the 2019 film Lucifer called L2: Empuraan. The film will be co-producing by Lyca Productions which is scheduled to release on 27 March 2024.

Filmography

Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released
TitleYearDirectorBudgetWorldwide grossOther notes
Narasimham2000Shaji KailasThe film was a major commercial success at the box office, becoming the first Malayalam film to gross 20 crores in the box office.[16] The film is also noted for being Jagathy Sreekumar's 1000th film.[17]
Ravanaprabhu2001RanjithThe film is noted director Ranjith's directorial debut. The film is a sequel to the 1993 film Devaasuram. The film emerged a commercial success becoming the top grossing Malayalam film of the year.
Kilichundan Mampazham2003Priyadarshan
Natturajavu2004Shaji Kailas₹1.75 crore (US$200,000)[3]The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Onam releases that year.[3]
Naran2005Joshiy₹2.55 crore (US$290,000)[4]The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Onam releases that year.[4]
Rasathanthram2006Sathyan AnthikkadThe film was a commercial success at the box office. It was the winner among the Vishu releases that year.[2] Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikkad collaborate after 12 years gap since Pingami.
Baba Kalyani2006Shaji Kailas
Ali Bhai2007Shaji Kailas
Paradesi2007P. T. Kunju MuhammedMohanlal got Kerala State Film Awards For Best Actor
Innathe Chintha Vishayam2008Sathyan Anthikkad
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded2009Amal NeeradSequel to Irupatham Noottandu
Evidam Swargamanu2009Rosshan AndrrewsWon the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.[18]
China Town2011Rafi MecartinMulti-star film with Mohanlal, Dileep and Jayaram in lead roles. The film was a blockbuster. It was one of the highest-grossing films of the year.[6][7]
Snehaveedu2011Sathyan AnthikkadThe film was Mohanlal's 300th movie
Casanovva2012Roshan AndrewsAssociate production with Confident Group
Spirit2012Ranjith
Ladies and Gentleman2013Siddique₹10 crore (US$1.2 million)[19]Associate production with Confident Group
Drishyam2013Jeethu Joseph₹3.5 crore (US$400,000) - ₹5 crore (US$580,000)[a]₹75 crore (US$8.7 million)[23]Became Industry hit by breaking collections of previous IH Twenty-20 and became Highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time of release. It was also the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year

Remade into 7 Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Sinhalese, Chinese & Indonesian becoming the fourth Malayalam film to be remade into 6 languages after Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal, Kireedam and Shutter.

The first Indian film to be remade in Chinese and Indonesian.

Ennum Eppozhum2015Sathyan Anthikad
Loham2015Ranjith
Oppam2016Priyadarshan₹7 crore (US$810,000)[24]₹65 crore (US$7.5 million)[25]The film was the second highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year after Pulimurugan
Velipadinte Pusthakam2017Lal Jose₹15 crore (US$1.7 million) - ₹20 crore (US$2.3 million)[26]The film is Mohanlal's first collaboration with Lal Jose. The film was a commercial success.
Aadhi2018Jeethu Joseph₹50 crore (US$5.8 million)[27]One of the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. Pranav Mohanlal's debut as an adult lead actor. Mohanlal did a cameo role. The film was a commercial success. This is the only Aashirvad cinema production that does not feature Mohanlal in the lead role.
Odiyan2018V. A. Shrikumar Menon₹35 crore (US$4.0 million)[28]The film is V. A. Shrikumar Menon's directorial debut. Mohanlal and Prakash Raj acted together in Odiyan after having a 19-year gap since the 1997 Tamil film Iruvar.
Lucifer2019Prithviraj Sukumaran₹30 crore (US$3.5 million)[29]₹200 crore (US$23 million)[30]The film is the Highest-grossing Malayalam film. It broke many box-office records like crossing ₹50 crore mark in 4 days, ₹100 crore mark in 8 days and ₹150 crores in 21 days and becoming the first Malayalam film to enter 200 crore Club and the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crores in overseas box office.

The film was actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's directorial debut. The film was also Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi's Malayalam debut.[31]

Ittymaani: Made in China2019Jibi–JojuThe film was the directorial debut of Jibi-Joju.[32]
Drishyam 22021Jeethu JosephThe sequel of Drishyam. The film was directlly released on Amazon Prime Video.[33]
Drushyam 22021Jeethu JosephTelugu film. Remake of Drishyam 2. The film was directly released on Amazon Prime Video
Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham2021Priyadarshan₹100 crore (US$12 million)[34]The film is the most expensive Malayalam film made with a budget of 100 crore. The film was co-produced by Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group.[35]
Bro Daddy2022Prithviraj SukumaranThe film was directly released on Disney+ Hotstar.[36]
12th Man[37]2022Jeethu JosephThe film was directly released on Disney+ Hotstar.[38][39]
Monster[40]2022VysakhThe film is Mohanlal's second collaboration with Vysakh(as director) after Pulimurugan.[41]
Alone2023Shaji Kailas₹0.75 crore (US$87,000)[11][42]
Neru2023Jeethu Joseph₹10 crore (US$1.2 million)₹80 crore (US$9.2 million)[43][13][44]
Barroz2024MohanlalThe film is Mohanlal's directorial debut.[45][46]
L2: Empuraan †2025Prithviraj SukumaranThe sequel of Lucifer. The film is co-produced by Lyca Productions.[47]

Accolades

Following are the accolades won by Aashirvad Cinemas. The awards received by the producer alone is included in this list.

AwardYearCategoryFilmResult
National Film Awards2012Best Film on Other Social IssuesSpiritWon
2019Best Feature FilmMarakkarWon
Kerala State Film Awards2001Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic ValueRaavanaprabhuWon
2008Innathe Chintha VishayamWon
2009Evidam SwargamanuWon
2013DrishyamWon
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards2009Best FilmEvidam SwargamanuWon
2013DrishyamWon
2016OppamWon
Filmfare Awards South2008Best Film – MalayalamInnathe Chintha VishayamNominated
2009Evidam SwargamanuNominated
2013DrishyamWon
2016OppamNominated
South Indian International Movie Awards2012Best Film – MalayalamSpiritNominated
2013DrishyamWon
2016OppamNominated
2019LuciferWon
Asiavision Awards2013Best Popular MovieDrishyamWon
2016Outstanding Movie of the YearOppamWon
Vanitha Film Awards2013Best FilmDrishyamWon
2019Most Popular FilmLuciferWon
Asianet Film Awards2000Best FilmNarasimhamWon
2012Most Popular FilmSpiritWon
2013Best FilmDrishyamWon
2013Most Popular FilmDrishyamWon
2016Best FilmOppamWon
Jaihind TV Awards2007Best FilmParadesiWon
2013DrishyamWon
Kairali TV – World Malayali Council Film Award2009Best FilmEvidam SwargamanuWon

See also

References

  1. ^ Ayyappan, R (1 January 2000). "Movies: Sleaze time, folks!". rediff.com. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "'Rasathanthram' rules Malayalam box office". Whereincity.com. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Onam - The final report card!". Sify.com. 29 September 2004. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "'Naran' — The clear winner!". Sify.com. 17 September 2005. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Kerala Box Office (April 2009)". webcitation.org. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b The New Indian Express (10 May 2009). "Kerala Box Office (April 2009)". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b News18 (4 January 2012). "2011 was troublesome for Malayalam films". News18 India. Retrieved 30 October 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Forbes India (1 January 2018). "Mohanlal: Strong and steady". Forbes India. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  9. ^ "King of Kotha to Odiyan, 6 Malayalam movies that defied negative reviews to sweep the box office". OTTPlay. 1 September 2023.
  10. ^ "'Monster' box office collection day 6: Mohanlal starrer turns out to be a disaster". The Times Of India. 28 October 2022.
  11. ^ a b "'Alone' box office collection: Mohanlal starrer mints less than Rs 1 crore". The Times of India. 2 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Mohanlal's 'Neru' film shoot to wrap up soon". The Times of India. 19 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b "'പ്രേമ'വും വീണു, മുന്നില്‍ 'കുറുപ്പ്'; എക്കാലത്തെയും വിജയങ്ങളില്‍ എട്ടാം സ്ഥാനത്തേക്ക് നേര്". Asianet News Web. 3 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Mohanlal-Jeethu Joseph's film 'Neru' crosses Rs 100 crore". The Times of India. 15 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Barroz budget revealed! Mohanlal's directorial debut is Malayalam cinema's costliest project and biggest flop?". OTTPlay. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  16. ^ James, Anu (6 December 2014). "Mohanlal-Mammootty Starrer 'Narasimham': 15th Anniversary Celebration in Dubai Gets Grand Response [PHOTOS]". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. ^ James, Anu (6 December 2014). "Premam is in the air". International Business Times. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Kerala State Film Awards 2009 | varnachitram". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  19. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith. "Mohanlal's Ladies and Gentleman makes Rs 1.5 crore profit before release". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  20. ^ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (9 January 2014). "Mohanlal's aam aadmi is a surprise hit in Drishyam". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  21. ^ "Balachander lauds Drishyam, salutes Mohanlal". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 August 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  22. ^ "'Drishyam' celebrates 50 days, strikes gold at box-office". IANS. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  23. ^ Team, DNA Web (1 March 2016). "Kerala film awards: 'Premam' snubbed says audience". DNA India. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Top 10 highest grossing Mollywood movies of 2016". OnManorama. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  25. ^ "The continued reign of Mohanlal - Livemint". 1 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  26. ^ Forbes India (1 January 2018). "Mohanlal: Strong and steady". Forbes India. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  27. ^ "Star scions". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  28. ^ George, Anubha. "In Malayalam film 'Odiyan', Mohanlal plays a shapeshifting superhero". Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Empuraan to follow Mohanlal's directorial debut". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  30. ^ Narayanan, Nirmal (1 October 2019). "Why remaking Lucifer with Chiranjeevi in Telugu is a bad idea?". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Mohanlal's Lucifer storms into ₹200 crore club, first for Malayalam cinema". Hindustan Times. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  32. ^ Praveen, S. r (7 September 2019). "'Ittymaani: Made in China' review: This Mohanlal-starrer is a celebration of the formulaic". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  33. ^ "'Drishyam 2' shooting begins, actor Mohanlal shares pictures". The News Minute. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Priyadarshan: Thugs of Hindostan was fantasy, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham is steeped in history". mid-day. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  35. ^ "'Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham' release postponed; the Mohanlal starrer will hit the screens on THIS day". Times OF India. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  36. ^ "'Bro Daddy' teaser looks interesting!". Sify. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Mohanlal, Unni Mukundan, and other M-Town celebs share heartfelt birthday wishes for Jeethu Joseph". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  38. ^ "Mohanlal is 'Suspect 4' in Jeethu Joseph's '12th Man'". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  39. ^ "അടച്ചിട്ടൊരു മുറിയിലെ ത്രില്ലർ; ട്വൽത് മാൻ റിവ്യു". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  40. ^ "Mohanlal announces new film named 'Monster', unveils first look of Vysakh-directorial". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  41. ^ "Director Vysakh: Mohanlal starrer 'Monster' is an edge-of-the-seat thriller". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Mohanlal-Shaji Kailas' new film titled Alone". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph team up for 'Neru'; here's the first look poster". The Times of India. 12 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  44. ^ "നൂറു കോടി ക്ലബ്ബിലേക്ക് 'നേര്'; ഇതുവരെ നേടിയത് 80 കോടി". www.manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  45. ^ "'Ponniyin Selvan', 'Project K', 'Adipurush', 'Brahmastra', and 'Captain Miller', Ten massive budget Indian films coming soon to theatres". The Times of India.
  46. ^ "Mohanlal's directorial debut 'Barroz' to start filming from March 15th". www.thecompleteactor.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  47. ^ "Lyca Productions Makes An Entry Into Malayalam Cinema With Mohanlal's 'L2: Empuraan'". www.filmcompanion.in. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  1. ^ Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times claims the film's budget as ₹35 million,[20] while IANS claims it to be ₹50 million.[21] Sify claims the budget of the film to be ₹45 million.[22]
  • Aashirvad Cineplexx Theatre
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