Between The Great Indian Kitchen and Minnal Murali flowed a stream of quality Malayalam releases so unrelenting, that I have struggled to restrict my Best Malayalam Films 2021 compilation to just 10.
2021 began with a Malayalam film becoming a pan-India rage despite being released on a then brand new, completely unknown OTT platform, Neestream, after rejections by Netflix and Amazon (the latter subsequently changed its mind). The year ended with another Malayalam film breaking new ground for Indian cinema. Between _The Great Indian Kitchen_ and _Minnal Murali_ flowed a stream of quality Malayalam releases so unrelenting, that I have struggled to restrict my Best Malayalam Films 2021 compilation to just 10. Hence, a large collection of Special Mentions. Each film on this list was either released in theatres during the brief respite from pandemic-related lockdowns or on an OTT platform at some point in 2021. It is a measure of our changing times that a lovely documentary I watched this year fulfills this criterion. Binge watchers, fasten your seat belts. Here is my list: Best Film: The Great Indian Kitchen (Mahaththaya Bharatiya Adukkala) Director: Jeo Baby Click here for the review of _The Great Indian Kitchen_ ![A still from The Great Indian Kitchen (1)]()
_Minnal Murali_ Director: Basil Joseph Click here for the review of _Minnal Murali_ ![Tovino Thomas in and as Minnal Murali]()
_Malik_ Director: Mahesh Narayanan Click here for the review of _Malik_ ![malik-review_d]()
**8-1/2 Intercuts ** Director: Lijin Jose Click here for the review of _8-1/2 Intercuts_ ![KG George & Selma]()
_Nayattu_ Director: Martin Prakkat Click here for the review of _Nayattu_ ![A still from Nayattu]()
Biriyaani Director: Sajin Baabu Click here for the review of
_Biriyaani_ ![biriyaani]()
Joji Director: Dileesh Pothan Click here for the review of
_Joji_ ![Fahadh Faasil in and as Joji]()
_Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam_ Director: Senna Hegde Click here for the review of
_Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam_ ![Still from Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam]()
_Drishyam 2_ Director: Jeethu Joseph Click here for the review of
_Drishyam 2_
![drishyam2]()
_Jan-E-Man_ Director: Chidambaram Click here for the review of _Jan-E-Man_
![jan-e-man 640]()
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
_Musical Chair_ Director: Vipin Atley 1956, Central Travancore Director: Don Palathara
_Bhramam_ Director: Ravi K Chandran
_Kaanekkaane_ Director: Manu Ashokan
_Sara’s_ Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
_Chathur Mukham_ Directors: Ranjeet Kamala Sankar and Salil V
_#Home_ Director: Rojin Thomas Operation Java Director: Tharun Moorthy
_Sunny_ Director: Ranjith Sankar
_Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam_ Director: Don Palathara Anna M.M. Vetticad is an award-winning journalist and author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic. She specialises in the intersection of cinema with feminist and other socio-political concerns. Twitter: @annavetticad, Instagram: @annammvetticad, Facebook: AnnaMMVetticadOfficial RELATED LINKS:
Jeo Baby Director’s Cut: On The Great Indian Kitchen, piracy, censorship, Sabarimala and a fear of right-wingers among TV channels Mahesh Narayanan Director’s Cut: On being labelled Islamophobic, Malik, Take Off and his Hindi debut Sajin Baabu Director’s Cut: On Biriyaani, Kani Kusruti, Islamophobia and his scrutiny of the Muslim community
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