How a former chauffeur built Mollywood's most powerful film production house
In short: From driving for superstars to dominating the Malayalam film industry, Aashirvad Cinemas has redefined cinematic scale. Since 1999, the Kochi-based powerhouse has produced massive hits and expensive spectacles, pushing the boundaries of what regional cinema can achieve on the global stage.
Founded in 1999 by Antony Perumbavoor, a former chauffeur for actor Mohanlal, Aashirvad Cinemas has grown into the largest production company in the Malayalam film industry, often referred to as Mollywood. The company's success is deeply intertwined with Mohanlal, having produced over 30 films starring the actor. This partnership has yielded several industry-defining hits, including the 2013 family-thriller Drishyam, which was the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crore at the box office.
The company is known for its high-stakes financial gambles. It has produced some of the most expensive films in the industry's history, such as the ₹100 crore period action film Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (2021) and the ₹150 crore production Barroz (2024). However, these massive budgets do not always guarantee success; Marakkar and Barroz both failed to achieve profitability at the box office. In contrast, the 2019 action drama Lucifer grossed ₹128 crore worldwide, setting a record as the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time.
Aashirvad Cinemas has also expanded its footprint internationally. In 2019, it established Feitian Aashirvad Cinemas in Hong Kong, signing agreements to co-produce and distribute films in China. The company has also navigated the shift toward digital streaming, notably releasing Drishyam 2 on Amazon Prime Video during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first time a Mohanlal film premiered on an OTT platform rather than in theaters.
Its prestige is evidenced by numerous honours, such as a Filmfare Award South, four Kerala State Film Awards, and two National Film Awards.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Aashirvad Cinemas
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