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Mammootty’s Rs 19 crore film with Kollywood’s most celebrated director of 21st century flopped big time; earned less than 1/4 of its budget

Despite being headlined and produced by Mammootty, who had been riding a wave of success, and helmed by a star director, the Malayalam mystery comedy failed to impress audiences.

Despite being headlined and produced by Mammootty, who had been riding a wave of success, and helmed by a star director, the Malayalam mystery comedy failed to impress audiences.Mammootty's first release of 2025 had bombed. (Credit: Facebook/@Mammootty)

While most of his counterparts in various languages were busy trying to set box office records, focusing entirely on creating mindless commercial entertainers, Malayalam megastar Mammootty competed with himself during the past few years, striving to outdo himself as a performer and craft movies of superior quality. From Bheeshma Parvam, Puzhu, Rorschach and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam to Kannur Squad, Kaathal – The Core and Bramayugam, he consistently surpassed his own benchmarks until earlier this year.

However, 2025 has been anything but favourable for the megastar so far, marked by two consecutive box office bombs and a health scare. Even though his last release of 2024, the action entertainer Turbo, did not impress everyone, it still managed to rake in good money, particularly since it was Mammootty’s first complete commercial film in some time. Unfortunately, his next film effectively ended his success streak, opening to poor reviews and underperforming at the box office, despite being helmed by one of the most renowned filmmakers in South India today.

Although Tamil cinema has witnessed the emergence of several talented filmmakers over the years, it is doubtful if anyone else has achieved the fame and stardom that Gautham Vasudev Menon garnered, particularly in the first decade of his career. From Minnale, Kaakha Kaakha and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, to Vaaranam Aayiram, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and Yennai Arindhaal, Gautham soared high once and cultivated a dedicated fanbase. Although his recent Tamil films have struggled to hit the mark, the impact he made is so strong that his ardent fans still believe he will make a successful comeback one day.

Mammootty in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse. (Credit: Facebook/@Mammootty)

Born to a Malayali father, Gautham had been trying to make his Malayalam debut for years. While he was at the peak of his career, there were reports that he was in talks to helm two different projects headlined by Mohanlal and Fahadh Faasil, respectively. However, nothing materialised. Eventually, while Gautham was working with Mammootty in director Deeno Dennis’s Bazooka (2025), in which the filmmaker also played an important character, they agreed to collaborate on a film. It was then revealed that the megastar himself would bankroll it under the banner of his Mammootty Kampany as its sixth production venture. Titled Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse, the movie hit the screens on January 23, 2025.

Watch Dominic and The Ladies Purse trailer here:

Despite being headlined and produced by Mammootty, who had been riding a wave of success, and helmed by Tamil cinema’s most celebrated director of the 21st century, the film failed to impress audiences. Mounted on a budget of Rs 19 crore — according to a list released by the Kerala Film Producers’ Association, revealing the budget of Malayalam movies released in January and the share of revenue they generated from cinema halls in the state — its theatre share from Kerala stood at just Rs 4.25 crore. As per industry tracker Sacnilk, the movie grossed Rs 19.6 crore worldwide and recorded an India nett collection of Rs 9.1 crore during its theatrical run.

Also starring Gokul Suresh, Sushmitha Bhat, Viji Venkatesh, Siddique and Vineeth, Mammootty played a private detective in the film. It featured cinematography by Vishnu Dev, editing by Anthony and music by Darbuka Siva. Dominic and The Ladies Purse has yet to have an OTT release.

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  • Gautham Vasudev Menon Malayalam Cinema Malayalam film industry Mammootty
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