Malayalam Cinema’s love affair with Kerala’s backwaters: 5 must-watch films

New Delhi: Kerala’s scenic beauty has caught the attention of filmmakers beyond the Malayalam industry. Mani Ratnam’s Bombay (1995) immortalised the Bekal Fort, while Athirapally Falls became the dramatic setting for blockbusters like Baahubali and Guru.

Kochi, with its rich blend of heritage and modernity, has hosted films like Annayum Rasoolum and Kammatipaadam, making it a cinematic melting pot. With each new film, Malayalam cinema continues to showcase the best of Kerala’s landscapes. For cinephiles and travellers alike, these locations offer a chance to step into the frame and experience the magic firsthand.

Here is a list of five Malayalam films from the last five years that have not only entertained audiences but also turned remote locations into must-visit destinations. Scroll down to read about it!

When Theevandi, starring Tovino Thomas, hit theatres in 2018, Payyoli, a small coastal town in Kozhikode, gained newfound fame. With its pristine and silvery beach, the place became a travel destination overnight. The town is also home to a hatchery for Olive Ridley turtles, which arrive in November and December to lay eggs. Director Fellini TP’s decision to set the film in this picturesque location gave audiences a new place to explore in Kerala.

Some movies introduce us to places we never knew existed. Fahadh Faasil starrer Carbon is one such film. Shot in the abandoned yet majestic Ammachi Kottaram near Kuttikkanam in Idukki, the film brought this forgotten palace into the limelight. Once belonging to the Travancore royal family, the palace is now surrounded by towering trees and dense greenery, making it the perfect location for the film's mysterious and moody plot.

Director Ranjith Sankar originally planned to film Ramante Edenthottam in Nelliyampathy. But the rapid commercialisation of the area led him to seek out a more untouched location. Enter Vagamon Heights, a secluded, 250-acre estate in Vagamon with rolling meadows and two serene lakes. The location perfectly matched the film’s tranquil storytelling with no television or internet connectivity. Vagamon Heights is a sought-after getaway for travel lovers.

Few films have celebrated Kerala’s natural beauty as authentically as Maheshinte Prathikaaram. Directed by Dileesh Pothan and shot entirely in Idukki, the film turned the region’s lush landscapes into a character of its own. Cinematographer Shyju Khalid’s lens captured the rolling green hills and misty morning skies that inspired many travellers to retrace the footsteps of Mahesh (Fahadh Faasil) and experience Idukki’s charm firsthand.

Jeethu Joseph’s blockbuster thriller Drishyam, starring Mohanlal, not only became a cinematic phenomenon but also put Rajakkad, a small town in Idukki, on the map. The setting played a crucial role in the film’s suspenseful storytelling with its verdant farmlands, winding village roads, and cosy homes.