Debate sharpens over Malayalam cinema profit claims

A claim by the Malayalam Film Producers' Association that only a small fraction of releases earned profits over the past year has reopened longstanding fault lines within the industry, bringing disagreements over box -- office accounting, production economics and the definition of commercial success into sharper focus.

- HD Bureau

Producers' Association president B Rakesh said that just 15 to 17 films out of the year's slate had managed to make money after theatrical release. The statement, intended to underline the financial stress facing producers, drew an immediate response from filmmaker Anuraj Manohar, who questioned the basis on which such conclusions were reached and accused the association of failing to disclose verifiable data.

The controversy has resonated because Malayalam cinema has been widely discussed as a market that balances modest budgets with strong storytelling and consistent audience interest. Over the past year, the ind ustry released well over 200 films across theatres and st reaming platforms, with se veral titles generating sus tained public attention and, in some cases, running for weeks in packed screens ac ross Kerala and key overseas markets.