Malayalam film industry struggles as rising costs and actor salaries threaten sustainability. Earlier, Tamil Film Industry had also raised similar issues and had stated a loss of Rs. 1000 Cr. in 2024
February 12, 2025: Thiruvananthapuram: The Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) faced a massive loss of ₹650-700 crore in 2024, despite a few blockbusters achieving pan-India success. According to data released by the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), only 26 out of the 204 films released in the year managed to turn a profit.
Also Read: Tamil Cinema in Crisis: ₹1000-Crore Loss in 2024 Amid 223 Flops
“Of the 199 new films and five remastered productions released, which cost the industry around ₹1,000 crore, only 26 films collectively made a profit of ₹300-₹350 crore from theatres,” said KFPA Secretary A Rakesh.
With losses mounting, Mollywood producers are calling for financial discipline, urging actors and other stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the survival of the industry.
Only 26 Films Were Profitable
The data reveals a grim reality—while 26 films managed to become super hits, hits, or average performers, the rest failed to make a mark in theatres.
“The industry cannot sustain itself with only a handful of hits while the majority of films suffer losses. Cost control is crucial,” added Rakesh.
He further noted that despite more than 200 films being released in 2023 as well, most suffered the same fate at the box office.
OTT Earnings Failing to Bridge the Gap
Despite the rise of OTT platforms, many Malayalam films failed to secure profitable digital releases, as most streaming deals were linked to box office performance.
Stars’ Rising Fees a Concern
Veteran producer Suresh Kumar strongly criticized leading Malayalam stars for demanding exorbitant fees that do not translate into box office success.
“No Malayalam film has crossed ₹100 crore in share revenue. Stars are receiving paychecks that the industry simply cannot afford,” he said.
Kumar even challenged actors to name a film that had made ₹100 crore in actual share revenue, highlighting how inflated box office figures create unrealistic expectations.
Producers Warn of Exposing Box Office and Actor Salaries
Frustrated with rising production costs and high actor fees, some Malayalam producers have threatened to release monthly box office data and actor remuneration details through a YouTube channel named ‘Vellithira’.
“If the situation does not improve, we will publicly disclose what stars earn versus what their films actually make,” producers warned.
Industry Calls for Financial Reforms
The KFPA and other film bodies have called for immediate corrective measures to stabilize the industry. They emphasized that Malayalam cinema is highly regarded for its storytelling, but without cost-cutting measures, the industry may face long-term instability.
Conclusion
The Malayalam film industry’s financial struggles in 2024 have sparked debates on actors’ fees, rising production costs, and profitability concerns. Unless key stakeholders come together for reforms, Mollywood’s sustainability remains uncertain.
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Mollywood box office, Malayalam cinema crisis, Kerala Film Producers Association, rising actor salaries, Malayalam film industry losses, OTT deals Mollywood, Malayalam movies profitability, Mollywood 2024 box office, financial discipline in cinema, Suresh Kumar Malayalam film industry