“A good thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, and Mollywood has mastered that art in 2025, delivering stories that grip you with every twist.” – These were Tovino Thomas’ words during a recent promotional event. Just like what the ‘Identity’ actor said, Mollywood has literally mastered the art of telling thriller stories, thanks to the writers who know how to keep the audiences hooked with a good screenplay.
From ‘Rekhachithram’ to ‘Officer on Duty’
The year 2025 again emphasized the fact that Mollywood is the hub for gripping crime thrillers, with films like ‘Rekhachithram’ and ‘Officer on Duty’ leading the charge, alongside other notable releases such as ‘Identity’, ‘Sookshmadarshini’, and ‘Anand Sreebala’. These movies have captivated audiences with their intense narratives, stellar performances, and a focus on suspense-driven storytelling, reflecting a broader trend in Malayalam cinema.
This year’s thrillers have not only dominated the box office but also sparked conversations about the genre’s appeal, blending realism, emotional depth, and high-stakes drama.
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Audience appetite for suspense and realism
No matter the language, every audience craves for good suspense that keeps them hooked till the very end.
Crime thrillers like ‘Rekhachithram’ and ‘Officer on Duty’ have connected deeply with audiences due to their ability to weave suspense with relatable, grounded narratives. Rekhachithram, directed by Jofin T. Chacko, explores a 1980s mystery involving a missing woman on a film set, earning Rs 26.85 crore in Kerala alone.
‘Officer on Duty’, a debut by Jithu Ashraf, follows a demoted cop unraveling a fake jewelry racket tied to a larger crime network, grossing Rs 30 crore in India by its 27th day. Other releases like Identity, starring Tovino Thomas as an investigative officer, delve into complex crime investigations, while ‘Sookshmadarshini’ offers a slow-burn thriller experience.
Anand Sreebala, another January release, has been praised for its intricate plot, though it lacks a Tamil version. These films reflect a growing demand for stories that mirror real-life complexities, keeping viewers on edge with emotional depth and high-stakes drama. Even though the Arjun Ashokan starrer didn’t mint much money at the box office, the film received good traction once it hit the OTT platforms.
Asif Ali: “It’s a moment I was dreaming of”
Reflecting on ‘Rekhachithram’s success, Asif Ali shared his thoughts at a public event in January 2025, saying, “When they say that out of all the films released in January 2025, Rekhachithram was the only successful venture, I must admit that it’s a moment I was dreaming of. I am smiling with pride.”
As we all know, Asif Ali had a major downfall in his career and it was recently that the actor decided to rise from the ashes. With continuous hits, especially thriller movies like ‘Kooman’, ‘Level Cross’, ‘Rekhachithram’, ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’, the actor served the right genre for the audiences, and he succeeded in it.
Editing – The unsung hero
One very noticeable thing in the majority of the recent superhit Malayalam thriller movies is the editing. Let’s take Kunchacko Boban’s ‘Officer on Duty’ as an example. Apart from the brilliant direction and acting, Chaman Chakko’s editing is another element that plays a major role in keeping the movie interesting. With minute cuts and detailing, the editor makes sure that the audience understands everything without losing the essence of each sequence. ‘Officer on Duty’ is truly the most brilliantly edited movie in these times. Likewise, the films ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’, ‘Sookshmadarshini’, and many others also deserve a special mention.
It’s not that only one genre will work; content matters. – Kalesh Ramanand
In an exclusive chat with us, the ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ actor Kalesh Ramanand says, “Malayali audiences love good content. It’s not that only one genre will work. If any normal story is presented in a fresh way, our audiences will accept.”
Comparing his film ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ and Fahadh Faasil’s thriller ‘Aavesham’, the actor says, “Just look at the case of ‘Aavesham’ and ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’, if one was a thriller, the other was a feel-good slow-paced drama, but the audiences accepted both. ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ was a hit and the first preference for the family audiences, which the youth in social media was more leaned toward the mass entertainer ‘Aavesham’.”
Stellar performances and directorial vision
The success of 2025’s thrillers owes much to powerful performances and innovative direction. Asif Ali’s role as a suspended cop in ‘Rekhachithram’ and Kunchacko Boban’s intense portrayal in ‘Officer on Duty’ have been lauded for their authenticity.
In ‘Officer on Duty’, from the first introduction sequence itself, where Kunchacko Boban kicks a pregnant (or faking) lady, the audiences are made to suddenly realise that we are not going to see the ‘Chocolate hero’ in the thriller film. All thanks to Kunchacko Boban’s magnificent acting.
Box office success and global appeal
Crime thrillers have proven their commercial strength in 2025. ‘Rekhachithram’ initially led with a worldwide gross of Rs 57.31 crore, only to be surpassed by ‘Officer on Duty’, which crossed Rs 50 crore globally by its 20th day, boasting a 316.6% return on its Rs 12 crore budget.
‘Identity’ also performed strongly, with its January release contributing to Mollywood’s early-year momentum, grossing over Rs 40 crore worldwide. ‘Sookshmadarshini’ and ‘Anand Sreebala’ have seen moderate success, with the former gaining a wider audience through its Tamil release, as highlighted by X users.