Malayalam cinema’s first Rs 100 cr grosser was made on Rs 25 crore budget; its record remained unbroken for 7 years

Although Pulimurugan received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, the actioner witnessed exceptional business at the box office, with audiences making a never-ending beeline to catch it in theatres.

Although the film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, the actioner witnessed exceptional business at the box office, with audiences making a never-ending beeline to catch it in theatres.

Mohanlal, renowned for his immense box-office pull, led Malayalam cinema to the Rs 100 crore club for the first time. (Credit: Facebook/@MulakuppadamFilms)

Giving Malayalam cinema a significant boost in the market, director Dominic Arun’s superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen in the lead roles, inaugurated the Rs 300 crore club earlier this year, helping the industry broaden its horizons. Considering that Malayalam cinema is still far smaller in terms of investment and total reach compared to its major counterparts across the country, this was a significant feat for the industry, helping it improve overall business in the future.

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Interestingly, Lokah achieved this milestone about eight years after the industry first entered the Rs 100 crore club. Unsurprisingly, it was superstar Mohanlal himself, renowned for his immense box-office pull, who led Malayalam cinema to this milestone, three years after inaugurating the Rs 50 crore club with Drishyam (2013). Made on a reported budget of Rs 25 crore, the Mohanlal-starrer Pulimurugan (2016) was the first Malayalam film to gross over Rs 100 crore worldwide.

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A highly hyped movie during its production phase itself, one of the significant factors contributing to the anticipation around Pulimurugan was the presence of renowned action choreographer Peter Hein — known for his work in films such as Anniyan (2005), Chatrapathi (2005), Sivaji: The Boss (2007), Ghajini (2008), Magadheera (2009), Enthiran (2010), 7 Aum Arivu (2011), and Baahubali 1 and 2 (2015 and 2017) — in its crew. Adding to the hype was the fact that the movie marked the first collaboration between hitmaker director Vysakh and Mohanlal.

Mohanlal in Pulimurugan. (Credit: Facebook/@MulakuppadamFilms)

Although the film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release on October 7, 2016, Pulimurugan witnessed exceptional business at the box office, with audiences making a never-ending beeline to catch it in theatres. Eventually, the movie grossed Rs 139.5 crore worldwide, according to industry tracker Sacnilk, setting a new benchmark in Malayalam cinema. Also starring Jagapathi Babu and Kamalini Mukherjee in key roles, Pulimurugan ended up winning the National Film Award for Best Stunt Choreography (Peter Hein). It also earned Mohanlal a Special Jury Award.

Pulimurugan was the first Malayalam film to gross over Rs 100 crore worldwide.

A poster announcing Pulimurugan’s entry into the Rs 100 crore club. (Credit: Facebook/@MulakuppadamFilms)

Interestingly, Pulimurugan’s record remained untouched for seven years, a testament to its massive success. Although director Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Lucifer (2019) showed the potential to surpass Pulimurugan’s worldwide collection, it eventually fell short by a few crores. During its theatrical run, Lucifer grossed Rs 127.50 crore worldwide. It was only in 2023 that the Mohanlal-starrer was finally dethroned as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time. Director Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018: Everyone is a Hero (2023) broke Pulimurugan’s seven-year record, grossing Rs 180.03 crore worldwide.

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