Which Is The Onam Hit ?

AMONG the films released during Onam days, which become number one? That is the million doller question in the industry now. Nerariyaan CBI, Naran, Chanthupottu, Lokanathan IAS are in the run.
The Mammootty-K Madhu film has failed to rise to the expectation level of the audience. Being the fourth in the CBI series, the expectations were high too. But the heaviness of the story and the pseudo advertisements that accompanied made many viewers disappointed. The only relief was Mammootty, whose charisma still at high levels.
After a series of flops, Naran turned out to be a pleasant relief for Mohan Lal. The the story was not at all unique, but the way it was made in to a movie has made all the difference for this Joshy film. Joshy is the master craft man in the present Malayalam film industry.
Chaanthupottu couldn't have afforded to become a non-hit. The success of the film was so essential for the survival of Lal Jose. And Dileep too was in need of a big success. Dileep's previous film Paandippada was just a break-even one. The fresh story, good visuals, pleasent songs and the mimicry jokes.. the combination saved the film in the box office.
Loknathan IAS turned out to be a favorite of front row seaters. The film tells the story of an IAS officer (Kalabhavan Mony) who joins politics after being forced to resign.
Sept 19, 2005