Festive Friday in Kerala 

This Christmas season, the box office in Kerala has something for everyone. A romantic film, a satire, a mass entertainer, a dream-come-true flick and even an 'Aadu' and an 'Aana' will hit the marquee in 10 days, in the hope of raking in the maximum moolah, during one of the most lucrative seasons of the Malayalam industry. The industry is hoping to revive its chances, to make up for the dampener the Onam season was.

Cast

This season, all the big names are in the fray, baring Mohanlal. While Mammootty will have Ajay Vasudev's Masterpiece, a  mass entertainer, Prithviraj has a real-life story Vimaanam as his festival release.

According to Ajay Vasudev, Masterpiece will deliver what Mammootty fans hope for. "The actor is at his best here. High-voltage action sequences, style and a twist in the tale will ensure that it will wow the masses," he says. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Gokul Suresh and Unni Mukundan will also appear in significant roles.

Meanwhile, Vimaanam doesn't rely on Prithviraj's star value, rather it will be about his acting chops and impeccable script. In the news for how Prithviraj shed weight to play a 20-year-old boy, Vimaanam, directed by Pradeep Nair, is about a hearing-impaired man who chases his dream of flying. The film also boasts of a strong romantic thread, with newbie Durga Krishnan playing the female lead. 

Comic rides

This season will also see Aadu 2, the sequel to Aadu Oru Bheekarajeevi Aanu. The film, which has already gained a huge fan following, is probably the first in Malayalam to get a sequel despite the first part proving to be a dud at the box office. The cult following which Shaji Pappan, the protagonist, gained over the years has already worked in favour of Aadu 2, which is expected to be an out-and-out humour ride. Though more details are yet to be out, it is beyond doubt that the film, helmed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, will have a great opening. 

Vineeth Sreenivasan also has his release Aana Alaralodalaral hitting the screens. A satire, the film, according to its director, is an entertainer that revolves around an elephant. With its rustic charm, the village drama promises to bring back the flavour of the 90s.

As for the romance drama, Aashiq Abu's much-awaited Maayanadi will release on the same Friday. The film, starring Tovino Thomas in the lead, boasts of Ashique Abu's directorial skill and Syam Pushkaran's writing talent. An urban love story, the trailer also promises surprises.

Other languages

Though Fahad Faasil doesn't have any Malayalam releases during the season, his Tamil debut Velaikkaran will hit the screens on December 22. The film, which also stars Sivakarthikeyan and Nayantara in the lead, is said to be an action thriller.

Also Nivin Pauly's Richie has already hit the screens last weekend. The mixed reports the film has generated might impact its continued reign at the box office. However, if it manages to stay in the theatres for another 10 days, Christmas might be a shot in the arm for the crime drama.