{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | image = Malikappuram film poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Vishnu Sasi Sankar | writer = Abhilash Pillai | producer = Venu Kunnuppally <br>Anto Joseph | starring = {{Unbulleted_list||Unni Mukundan<br>Deva Nandha<br>Sreepath|Saiju Kurup}} | narrator = Mammootty | cinematography = Vishnu Narayanan | editing = Shameer Muhammed | music = Ranjin Raj | studio = Kavya Film Company<br/>Aan Mega Media | distributor = {{plainlist| * Geetha Arts {{Small|(Telugu)}} * Trident Arts {{Small|(Tamil)}} }} | released = {{Film date|df=y|2022|12|30|ref1=<ref name=":0" />}} | runtime = 120 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|last= |title=Malikappuram |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/malikappuram-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewntc1 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=British Board of Film Classification |language=en}}</ref> | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = {{INR|3.5 crore}} | gross = {{estimation}}{{INR|75 crore}} <ref name="News18Not100">{{cite web |title='മാളികപ്പുറം 100 കോടി നേടിയില്ല'; യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ നേടിയ കണക്കുകൾ വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി വേണു കുന്നപ്പിള്ളി |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/producer-venu-kunnappilly-says-malikappuram-has-not-earned-100-crores-srr-715592.html |publisher=News18 Malayalam |date=10 March 2025 |accessdate=22 January 2026}}</ref> }}
'''''Malikappuram''''' is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language action adventure drama film directed by Vishnu Sasi Sankar and written by Abhilash Pillai. The film stars Unni Mukundan alongside Deva Nandha, Sreepath, Alphy Panjikaran, Sampath Ram, Saiju Kurup, Ramesh Pisharody, T. G. Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, Manoj K. Jayan, and Renji Panicker in supporting roles.<ref name="Malikappuramrolls">{{cite news |title=Unni Mukundan's next 'Malikappuram' starts rolling |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/unni-mukundans-next-malikappuram-starts-rolling-watch-video/articleshow/94147235.cms |access-date=22 January 2023 |agency=The Times of India |date=12 September 2022}}</ref> The plot centres around Kallu, an eight-year-old girl who is a devotee of Ayyappan and desires to visit Sabarimala Temple.
The principal photography commenced in September 2022 and the film was wrapped up in November 2022. The film was shot in places like Konni, Kalleli, Lahai, Pamba, Erumely and Sabarimala Temple. The cinematography was done by Vishnu Narayanan, with editing handled by Shameer Muhammed. Ranjin Raj composed the soundtrack for the film.
''Malikappuram'' was released theatrically on 30 December 2022 and received positive reviews from critics<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title='Malikappuram' Twitter review: Netizens call the Unni Mukundan starrer 'Mollywood's 'Kantara' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/malikappuram-twitter-review-netizens-call-the-unni-mukundan-starrer-mollywoods-kantara/articleshow/96621137.cms |access-date=11 February 2024 |newspaper=Times of India |date=30 December 2022}}</ref> and emerged as a box office success, becoming the second highest grosser in Unni Mukundan's career after Marco (2024). It was featured at the 54th IFFI Indian panorama section.<ref name="pib:ip">{{Cite news|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1970040|title=Indian Panorama 2023 Announces Official Selection for 54th IFFI, 2023|date=23 October 2023|access-date=21 November 2023|publisher=Press Information Bureau|via=press release}}</ref>
== Plot == Kalyani (Kallu) is a devotee of the famous deity Ayyappan and is enthusiastic to visit the Sabarimala temple. As per religious beliefs, Kallu has a small window of two years to visit the temple as she is 8 years old. Her grandmother narrates the life of Lord Ayyappan to her, which she loves a lot. Ajayan is Kallu's father who has mortgaged their house and it is on the verge of being seized by the bank. Furthermore, Ajayan has also borrowed a huge sum from a local usurer and acquaintance Ambadi, and is unable to repay both the loans.
The bank has issued a seizure notice, which Ajayan hides from his family. Ajayan promises Kallu to take her to Sabarimala and that both will do the initial rituals for the pilgrimage, which is supposed to happen a few weeks from thereon. Ambadi publicly harasses and roughs up Ajayan, which is witnessed by Kallu. A humiliated Ajayan subsequently commits suicide out of disgrace. The bank eventually seizes Ajayan's house and Kallu's grandmother moves in with Ajayan's elder sister. Kallu and her mother move in with Ajayan's friend and neighbor Unni. Kallu becomes frustrated with the fact that she is unable to go to Sabarimala because of her father's death and yells at her classmate and Unni's son Piyoosh.
Piyoosh finds that it is impossible to dissuade Kallu from pursuing her journey to Sabarimala, and decides to accompany her. Both the kids board a bus to Pamba, and en route they meet Mahi, a local goon who is also a pedophile and trafficker. Under the pretext of heading to Sabarimala, he is on the lookout for young kids. His eyes fall on both Kallu and Piyoosh. Piyoosh senses that something is wrong and tries to persuade Kallu to stop the journey and head back home, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Unni and Kallu's mother informed the police about the missing children.
Later, a man named Ayyappan boards the bus, who also seems to be heading to Sabarimala, and gets acquainted with the kids. Mahi introduces himself as the kids’ guardian uncle to Ayyappan, which Ayyappan later finds out to be false and suspects that he has some malicious intentions. After hearing their story, Ayyappan promises the kids that he will accompany them to Sabarimala. Ayyappan intimidates Mahi and an infuriated Mahi is determined to incapacitate Ayyappan and kidnap the girl. On reaching Pamba, from where they have to walk to reach the shrine, the trio discovers that the police have restricted entry for the remainder of the day as a measure to control the crowd and they will not be able to visit the temple, but an adamant Kallu leaves Ayyappan with no choice except to take a route through the forest.
Mahi's accomplice who has been following them, informs Mahi about their movements, and he sends all of his henchmen to beat up Ayyappan and kidnap Kallu. Ayyappan is alerted of impending danger, where he successfully overpowers Mahi and his people. During the fight, Kallu visualizes Ayyappan as the actual embodiment of the deity Ayyappan and later reveals to him that she has seen him in her dreams, and shows him the drawings she made from them, which shows a man who looks just like Ayyappan. The following day, Ayyappan disappears into the crowd and the kids enter the shrine. As Kallu begins to worry and look for him, he shows up and encourages her to climb the steps to fulfill her father's wish. Later, the police hand the kids over to Unni and they are taken home. Due to the circumstances which followed, the kids believe that he was the deity Ayyappan himself.
It is then revealed that Ayyappan is actually CPO D. Ayyappadas, working at the police station in Pamba. He was alerted of the missing children and knowingly boarded the bus after having seen Kallu's photo. After hearing out their stories, he decided to make their wish come true by visiting the Sabarimala temple. Meanwhile, the police apprehended Mahi and his men, who happened to be on Tamil Nadu criminal records.
==Cast== {{Cast listing| *Unni Mukundan as Ayyappan/ CPO Ayyappadas Kutty * Deva Nandha as Kalyani / Kallu * Sreepath as Piyush Unni *Saiju Kurup as Ajayan *Alphy Panjikaran as Saumya, Ajayan's Wife and Kallu's Mother *Sampath Ram as Mahi *Ramesh Pisharody as Unni *Abhilash Pillai as Ajayan's Friend *Manoj K. Jayan as CI Haneef *Renji Panicker as Chandrappan Pillai, the headmaster of Kallu and Piyoosh's school *Manohari Joy as Ajayan's Mother and Kallu's Grandmother *T. G. Ravi as Pattada *Sreejith Ravi as Ambadi *Ajay Vasudev as Chettiyar *Thushara Pillai as Jaya, Ajayan's Sister *Kalabhavan Jinto as SI *Aswathy Abhilash as Lakshmi, Kallu and Piyoosh's school teacher }}
== Production == Vishnu Sasi.Sankar announced the film on 23 December 2022 for its theatrical release on 30 December.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=Unni Mukundan Announces Release Date Of His Next Malayalam Film Malikappuram |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/unni-mukundan-announces-release-date-of-his-next-malayalam-film-malikappuram-6687307.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> The principal photography of ''Malikappuram'' commenced on 12 September 2022 following a pooja ceremony at Erumely Sree Dharmasastha Temple.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2022-09-22 |title=Makers of 'Malikappuram' launch the first look poster on Unni Mukundan's birthday! |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/makers-of-malikappuram-launch-the-first-look-poster-on-unni-mukundans-birthday/articleshow/94373258.cms |access-date=2023-09-01 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unni Mukundan to headline Malikappuram |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2022/sep/12/unni-mukundan-to-headline-malikappuram-34600.html |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Cinema Express |date=12 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> K. Ananthagopan, then president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, performed the switch-on ceremony, and S. Sudarshan gave the first clap.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Pandalam royal family visits sets of Unni Mukundan-starrer 'Malikappuram' |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/15/pandalam-royal-family-visit-malikapuram-sets-unni-mukundan.html |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=OnManorama}}</ref> Members of the Pandalam royal family had visited the shooting location shortly after it began.<ref name=":2" /> The film was shot in places like Konni, Kalleli, Lahai, Pamba, and Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta district and Erumely in Kottayam district.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-24 |title='മാള��കപ്പുറം"നൂറ് കോടി ക്ലബ്ബിലേക്ക് മല കയറുന്നു |url=https://konnivartha.com/2023/01/24/malikappuram-climbs-the-hill-to-the-100-crore-club/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Konni Vartha |language=en-US}}</ref> The filming was completed in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-02 |title='മാളികപ്പുറ'ത്തിന് പാക്കപ്പ്; സഹപ്രവര്ത്തകര്ക്കൊപ്പം ചുവടുവച്ച് ഉണ്ണി മുകുന്ദന്: വീഡിയോ |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/malikappuram-movie-shooting-wrapped-unni-mukundan-anto-joseph-venu-kunnappilly-rkpeck |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref>
==Music== {{Infobox album | name = Malikappuram | type = Soundtrack | artist = Ranjin Raj | cover = | alt = | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2022|12|17}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = Feature Film Soundtrack | length = | label = Anto Joseph Film Company | producer = Ranjin Raj }}
The film score and the songs are composed by Ranjin Raj.<ref>{{cite news |title=History of Malikappuram: Mammootty lends his voice to the Unni Mukundan starrer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/history-of-malikappuram-mammootty-lends-his-voice-to-the-unni-mukundan-starrer/articleshow/96248373.cms |access-date=22 January 2023 |agency=India Times |date=15 December 2022}}</ref> The lyrics are written by Santhosh Varma and B.K.Harinarayanan.<ref name="Malikappuramrolls" /> The album consists of eight songs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malikappuram (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nbpS8H_Nvon-m37kpYMWqrzPJaam6GerY |website=Youtube Music |access-date=22 January 2023}}</ref> The first song "Ganapathi Thunayaruluka" was released on 17 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=NEWSFirst song of Unni Mukundan movie Malikappuram released |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=968486&u=first-song-of-unni-mukundan%E2%80%99s-movie-malikappuram-released |access-date=22 January 2023 |agency=Kerala Kaumudi |date=17 December 2022}}</ref>
{{Track listing | headline = Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Kaliyuga | extra1 = Ranjin Raj | length1 = 1:04 | title2 = Ayyappan - Intro | extra2 = Ranjin Raj | length2 = 1:07 | title3 = Boothanaadha | extra3 = Ranjin Raj | length3 = 1:00 | title4 = Ganapathi Thunayaruluka | extra4 = Madhu Balakrishnan, Anthony Daasan | length4 = 3:39 | title5 = Harivarasanam | extra5 = Prakash Puthoor | length5 = 5:46 | title6 = Ambadi Thumbi | extra6 = Vineeth Sreenivasan, Theertha Subash, Vaiga Abhilash | length6 = 3:11 | title7 = Nangeli Poove | extra7 = Ranjin Raj | length7 = 3:46 | title8 = Onnam Padi Mele | extra8 = Vineeth Sreenivasan | length8 = 2:00 | total_length = 21:33 }}
==Release==
=== Theatrical === The film was censored with a U certificate one week prior to its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unni Mukundan's Malikappuram With A Clean U Certificate; Film All Set To Hit Theatres | url=https://www.xappie.com/entertainment-view/unni-mukundans-malikappuram-with-a-clean-u-certificate-film-all-set-to-hit-theatres-47466 |agency=xappie News |date=23 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ക്ലീൻ യു സർട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ് നേടി ഉണ്ണി മുകുന്ദൻ ചിത്രം 'മാളികപ്പുറം'; ഡിസംബർ 30നു തിയേറ്ററുകളിൽ |url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/unni-mukundan-film-malikappuram-won-clean-u-certificate-in-theaters-on-december-30-119688 |access-date=22 January 2023 |agency=Zee News |date=24 December 2022}}</ref> The film was released in theatres on 30 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unni Mukundan Announces Release Date Of His Next Malayalam Film Malikappuram |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/unni-mukundan-announces-release-date-of-his-next-malayalam-film-malikappuram-6687307.html |access-date=22 January 2023 |agency=News 18 |date=24 December 2022}}</ref> Geetha arts bagged the distribution rights for the film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malikappuram: Allu Arjun to distribute Unni Mukundan's film on Sabarimala in Telugu, release date out |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/malikappuram-allu-arjun-to-distribute-unni-mukundans-film-on-sabarimala-in-telugu-release-date-out/3a59448603894 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> The Telugu and Tamil language dubbed versions were released on 26 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Unni Mukundan starrer 'Malikappuram' Telugu version gets a release date |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/unni-mukundan-starrer-malikappuram-telugu-version-gets-a-release-date/articleshow/96961247.cms |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
=== Home media === ''Malikappuram'' premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 15 February 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malikappuram, The Romantics, African Queens, The Night Manager, Unlocked: OTT releases this week |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2023/02/14/the-romantics-african-queens-the-night-manager-lost-unlocked-ott-releases-this-week.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Malikappuram gets OTT release date |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/malikappuram-gets-ott-release-date-8432625/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> On the occasion of Vishu, it was shown on Asianet on 15 April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-14 |title=Vishu 2023 Television Premieres: മലയാള ടെലിവിഷൻ ചാനലുകളിലെ വിഷുകാല ചിത്രങ്ങൾ |url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/television/vishu-movies-2023-on-malayalam-channels-asianet-surya-tv-mazhavil-manorama-zee-keralam-790568/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Indian Express Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=KS |first=Anish |date=2023-04-12 |title=Alone & Malikappuram Are The Vishu Day Premiers Of Asianet On April 15, Saturday |url=https://www.keralatv.in/asianet-vishu-premier-alone/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> The film ran for more than 40 days post-pandemic. The film also had extended runs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-10 |title=Malikappuram OTT release: Date, OTT platform and all other details here |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/malikappuram-ott-release-date-ott-platform-and-all-other-details-here/articleshow/97795979.cms |access-date=2023-12-26 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
== Reception ==
=== Critical reception === ''Malikappuram'' received positive reviews from critics.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=nirmal |title=ഉണ്ണി മുകുന്ദനൊപ്പം മല കയറുന്ന പ്രേക്ഷകര്; 'മാളികപ്പുറം' റിവ്യൂ |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/movie-reviews/malikappuram-malayalam-movie-review-unni-mukundan-vishnu-sasi-shankar-rnp8jb |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref>
Gopika S of ''The Times of India'' gave a rating of 3 out of 5 and wrote that "Unni Mukundan was a good choice for the role and he easily gains a superhero image among the kids. The music by Ranjin Raj is apt for the setting".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Malikappuram Movie Review : Kids' movie on faith |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/malikappuram/movie-review/96847648.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-04-09 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
Sanjith Sidhardhan of ''OTT Play'' rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and wrote, "''Malikappuram'' qualifies as a timepass watch, thanks to its decent second half, elevated by a delightful performance by Unni Mukundan."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malikappuram review: Unni Mukundan's 'divine act' is the saving grace |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/malikappuram-movie-review-unni-mukundans-divine-act-is-the-saving-grace-in-this-timepass-entertainer/6d3629d7d6313 |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> ''Mathrubhumi'' wrote, "Vishnu Narayanan's camera played a huge role in preparing the right frames and the film cannot be complete without talking about the performances of the children who played Kalyani and Piyush."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-30 |title=അയ്യപ്പനോടൊപ്പം കുട്ടികളുടെ സുന്ദരമായ യാത്ര: പ്രേക്ഷകമനസ്സ് നിറച്ച് മാളികപ്പുറം {{!}} Movie Review |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/reviews/malikappuram-movie-review-unni-mukundan-new-movie-1.8176702 |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>
Meera Manu of ''News 18 Malayalam'' wrote "As a maiden film, director Vishnu Shashi Shankar is coming up with a film that will satisfy the core audience, the family audience. The camera and editing departments have done a good job in bringing the film to the screen without being monotonous."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-30 |title=Malikappuram review {{!}} മാളികപ്പുറം: വിഷ്വൽ എഫക്ടും ത്രീ ഡിയും ഇല്ലാതെയൊരു സൂപ്പർ ഹീറോയും കുട്ടി ഹീറോകളും |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/movies-malikappuram-review-unni-mukundan-movie-mm-574360.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=News18 മലയാളം |language=ml}}</ref>
=== Box office === ''Malikappuram'', which was made on a budget of {{INRConvert|3.5|c|lk=c}}'','' was a commercial success at the box office. It grossed {{INRConvert|40|c|lk=off}} in the third week<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-17 |title='Malikappuram' box office day 17: Unni Mukundan starrer crosses Rs 40 crore, amidst big-ticket releases 'Thunivu' and 'Varisu' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/malikappuram-box-office-day-17-unni-mukundan-starrer-crosses-rs-40-crore-amidst-big-ticket-releases-thunivu-and-varisu/articleshow/97050403.cms |access-date=2023-09-01 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and {{INRConvert|50|c}} in the final week of January, becoming a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=മുടക്ക് 3.50 കോടി; ബോക്സ്ഓഫിസിൽ 50 കോടി വാരി മാളികപ്പുറം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2023/01/21/malikappuram-reached-50-crore-club.html |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-21 |title='മാളികപ്പുറം' 50 കോടി ക്ലബ്ബിൽ; ഉണ്ണി മുകുന്ദന്റെ കരിയറിലെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ഹിറ്റ് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/unni-mukundan-movie-malikappuram-enters-50-crore-club-1.8240920 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Award !Category !Recipient !Ref. |- | 2022
|National Film Awards |Best Child Artist |Sreepath Yan |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-17 |title=Malayalam films strike gold at 70th National Film Awards |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Aug/17/malayalam-films-strike-gold-at-70th-national-film-awards |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2022 | rowspan="2" |Kerala Film Critics Association Awards |Best Popular Film |''Malikappuram'' | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Kerala Film Critics Awards: Darshana Rajendran, Kunchacko Boban are best actors; B 32 Muthal 44 Vare and Headmaster named best film |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/kerala-film-critics-awards-darshana-rajendran-kunchacko-boban-best-actors-b-32-muthal-44-vare-headmaster-win-8624128/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |Best Child Artist |Deva Nandha |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb title|tt22037066}} *{{Rotten Tomatoes|malikappuram}}
Category:2022 Malayalam-language films Category:2022 Indian films Category:Indian action adventure films Category:2022 action adventure films Category:2022 films Category:Films set in Kerala Category:Films featuring a Best Child Artist National Award–winning performance Category:Films about God Category:Films scored by Ranjin Raj Category:Films shot in Pathanamthitta Category:Films shot in Erumely