The Best Underrated Crime Thriller Movies in Malayalam

Malayalam Cinema is a tiny film industry from southern India.It has always taken its themes from relevant social issues and has been i...

Malayalam Cinema is a tiny film industry from southern India.It has always taken its themes from relevant social issues and has been interwoven with material from literature, drama, and politics since its inception. One of its genre,  Thrillers made several films somewhere noticed and underrated.

Today's article about those best malayalam thriller films that unknown for new generation people and caught unacceptance from during its theatrical releases. The following are the best malayalam thrillers,

1. UTHTHARAM

Uththram is a 1989 movie directed by Pavithran and written by MT Vasudevan Nair. The film features Mammotty, Sukumaran, Suparana, and Parvarthy in lead roles. The film inspired from  Daphne Du Maurier's short story 'No Motive'. The film acclaimed that one of the best thriller film in malayalam. The story about a women who went suicide for no reason. The husband and his friend investigating her cause of suicide unofficially. Finally the truth revealed.

2. KARIYILAKAATTUPOLE

Kariyilakkattupole is a 1986 movie from Pathmarajan filmography, starring Mohanlal, Mammootty and Rahman in lead roles. This movie known for its climax plot twist and turns. The movie about the muder of a filmmaker, and its investigation and odd outing the culprit and mystery behind the murder.

3. YAVANIKA

If you are a true lover of this genre, you should watch this movie from 1982, directed by KG George. It featrues Mammootty, Bharth Gopi, Jalaja and Thilakan in lead roles. Its script is a material for aspirant writters and students. The story about a missing case of Tabbalist Ayyappan from a rural drama troop and it investigation lead to mystery behind ayyappan's life.

4. E THANUTHA VELUPPAN KALATHTHU

The film following the story of a serial killer who murdered no of people in a town. Its a 1990 movie written by veteran Pathmarajan and directed by Joshy. It features Mammootty, Suresh Gopi in lead roles. It known for climax twist and turns umasking of the serial killer.

5. EE KANNI KOODI

Another KG George directorial film from 1990. It features Saikumar, Thilakan and Sukumari in lead roles. The story about, murder of a lady sex worker, and its investigation lead to findings of the killer. One of the best thriller from among the list.

6. CBI SERIES

If you are a Malayali, who listening the word CBI he should remember 'Sethurama Iyer CBI'. Mammotty- K Madhu- SN Swamy trio made four CBI films in malayalam, in 1988 Oru CBI Diarykurippu, in 1989 Jagratha, in 2004 Sethurama Iyer CBI, and in 2005 Nerariyan CBI. The both films features Sethurama Iyer,  a CBI officer who investigating the callous crimes and murders and solving the case's.

7. MUGHAM

Its a 1990 movie, starring Mohanlal in the lead role as a police officer investigating the murders and it behind the psychopath serial killer. Mugham directed by Mohan. It considered as one of the best list of crime thriller movies made in malayalam.

8. CHARITHRAM

Charithram is a 1989 movie features Mammootty, Rahman, and Shobana in lead roles. Its written by SN Swamy, directed by GS Vijayan. The story about Raju who dead from a car accident, once look alike Raju return back to his family, Mammootty his brother conduct different tests to prove he is raju or not and it lead to know mystery behind Raju.The movie inspired from 'Chase a Crooked Shadow' (1958) film.

9. ADIKKURIPPU

This 1989 mystery thriller film features Mammootty and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. It is a SN Swamy's screenplay, directed by K Madhu.The film focused on Basheer, a homeless man, unidentified, work on a shipsand someone take action to kill Basheer. The captain need to find his roots with the help of Advocate Baskara Pillai. This film acclaimed that best mystery thriller ever made in mollywood.

10.  ADAYALAM

Mammootty - K Madhu - SN Swami trio is a successful combo in malayalam film industry. Adayalam 1991 movie featured Mammootty and Shobana in lead roles. The story revolves,  Latha daughter of late rich successful business man recives a blackmail and she seeks help from Captain Hariharan who runs a security service. He try to clear the mystery behind it.

11.KATHAIKKU PINNIL

Its a 1987 crime thriller movie that featured Mammootty in lead role. The film directed by KG George. The film revolves,  A writer, met a women and trying to pen her mystery story and it incidents.

12. LEKHAYUDE MARANAM FLASHBACK

Another KG George film based on a real incident about the suicide of actress Shoba. This 1983 film features Mammootty, Rekha in lead roles. A poor Malayali family reaches Madras to try luck for their daughter Shantamma in the film industry. She slowly starts climbing the ladder of success and becomes popular actress Lekha. At the peak of her career she commits suicide by hanging herself.

13. KAANATHAYA PENKUTTY

Its a 1985 mystery thriller film directed by KN Sasidharan,it features Mammootty, Bharath Gopi and Jayabharathi in lead roles. The story revolves mystery of missing a girl who went for school excursion.

14. UYARANGALIL

Uyarangalil is a 1984 crime thriller film written by MT Vasudevan Nair and directed by IV Sasi.It was the first thriller attempt from both of them. This film features Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu and Rahman in lead roles. Mohanlal in an as anti hero, this movie remains cult classic in mollywood. The story revolves, Jayarajan an assistant manager of a tea plantation who trying to loot big amount from its account with two of his subordinates. Unfortunately manager catches them, Jayarajan kills the manager and the story begins.

15. ORU ABHIBHASHAKANTE CASE DIARY

It is a 1995 crime thriller film from Mammootty-K Madhu-SN Swamy trio. It stars Jagathy Sreekumar, Vijayaraghvan, Rajan P Dev and Narendraprasad in supporting roles. The plot is about a lawyer who seeks justice for a teenage girl who was raped and murdered.

16. NEW YEAR

Its an adoption of Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller movie 'Dial M for Murder'. New Year released in the year 1989, directed by Viji Thampi. It stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Urvashi and Sukumaran in lead roles. The story revolves, Vinod who hire Robert to kill his wife on a new year's eve.

17. THE NEWS

It was the first movie of Shaji Kailas in the year 1989 with actor Jagadish's screenplay. It stars Suresh Gopi, Lizy, Ranjini, Jagadish and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. The story follows, Rishi Menon starts his own detective agency. He investigate the murder of a women named Jolly and missing case of a college student named Roy.

18. KIDILOLKIDILAM

Kidilol Kidilam is a 1995  film, directed by Paulson, starring Sukumaran and Rekha in the lead roles. The story revolves, Raji's mother-in-law tortures her as her father could not give the promised dowry. She struggles to run her family as she is the sole breadwinner.

19. WITNESS

It is a 1988 investigate thriller film directed and written by Viji Thampy. The film features Jayaram, Sukumaran and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. The film follows two friends who started 'We Help' a call service to help people. They are accused of the murder of a businessman's daughter who approached them for help.

20. MORTUARY

The film based on a real life events which happened in the Kottayam Medical College in the year 1977. The film released in 1983 directed by Baby and it features Prem Nazir, Shankar and Madhu in lead roles. Venu, a medical student, went to a mortuary in mid night for a bet. However, when something untoward happens.

21. ORU VIVAADA VISHAYAM

Oru Vivaada Vishayam is a 1988 film, directed by P. G. Vishwambharan. The film stars Lissy, Devan, Sukumari and Innocent in lead roles.

22.  CHANAKYAN

It was the Kamal Haassan's last malayalam film in a lead role. Chanakyan a 1989 thriller movie directed by TK Rajeev Kumar. It stars Kamal Haassan, Jayaram, Madhu and Thilakan in lead roles. The theme, Madhava Menon, a corrupt politician, destroys the family of Johnson as he was in love with his daughter. With the help of a mimicry artist, Johnson takes revenge on Madhava Menon.

23. AAAKROSHAM

It is a 1982  Malayalam thriller film, directed and produced by A. B. Raj. The film stars Prem Nazir, Srividya, Mohanlal and Rajalakshmi in the lead roles. The story revolves, A police officer's sincere attempt changes a dacoit into a good person and also gets him married to a beautiful village girl. However, circumstances does not let the changed man live happily.

24. MANASARIYATHE

This 1984 thriller film features Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu and Zarina Wahab in lead roles. A Soman Ambatt directorial film. The film follows a similar theme with Drishyam movie, a dead body found in a house, the house members trying to hide the corpse and who was responsible for the death is the rest of the movie.

25. KALAAL PADA

Kalaal Pada is a 1989 crime thriller film follows, A journalist goes in search of the criminals who are responsible for the death of an income tax officer. The film directed by Viji Thampy and it stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Rahman in lead roles.

Now let's checkout the best crime thrillers in black and white era in malayalam. The following are the best sum of perfect thrillers made in malayalam,

KANNUR DELUXE

It is a 1969 thriller film, directed by A. B Raj.The film is a road movie which pivots on a theft that occurs in a bus 'Kannur Deluxe' and stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Ammini in the lead roles. The film also known for the first road movie in malayalam.The film was well received in box office and critics. The film available in major video streaming platforms with High Quality.

COCHIN EXPRESS

It is a 1967 thriller film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Sankaradi in lead roles. The movie was subsequently made in several languages in India. The film revolves, Prem Nazir is Police Officer Rajan who is in charge of investigating a murder that happened in Cochin Express from Madras to Cochin. The film was well received in box office and critics. It also available in YouTube with high quality.

MARAVIL THIRUVIL SOOKSHIKKUKA

It is a 1972 crime thriller film, directed by J Sasikumar. The film stars Prem Nazir, Vijayasree, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair in the lead roles. The film revolves Jayadevan, a script writer, while spending his time at a hill station, tries to solve the mystery behind a dangerous curve which killed many people. This movie available in YouTube with best quality.

LANKA DHAHANAM

Lankadahanam is a 1971 film, directed by J. Sasikumar. The film stars Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi, Jose Prakash and Sankaradi in the lead roles. A CID officer disguises himself as a music teacher to rescue a kidnapped film star from a school.

CID NAZEER

It is a 1971 film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Jose Prakash in the lead roles. This movie has a sequel Taxi Car.The film is inspired by the James Bond film series. The film revolves, When CID officer Chandran, who is working on a tedious case, gets murdered, officer Nazir takes over his case and endeavours to catch his killers.

TAXI CAR

It is a 1972 film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sadhana, Vijayasree and Vincent in the lead roles. This movie is a sequel to the 1971 movie C.I.D. Nazir.The film revolves with the menace of a counterfeiting racket operating in Kerala on the rise, CID Inspector Nazir is tasked to bring the perpetrators to justice.

PANCHA THANTHRAM

It is a 1974 fantasy thriller film directed by J. Sasikumar. The script was written by Sasikumar, Sreemoolanagaram Vijayan. The cast includes Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi, Jose Prakash, Sankaradi, Sreelatha, T. R. Omana, T. S. Muthaiah, Bahadoor. K. P. Ummer and Vincent were in guest appearances. The film revolves Rajendran, a police officer, investigates the mysterious deaths of many at a haunted palace. He realises that a person is responsible for these crimes and is determined to bring him to justice.

DANGER BISCUIT

It is a 1969 film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty, Sadhana, Paravoor Bharathan and Kottayam Chellappan in the lead roles. The film follows Balachandran, an undercover policeman, is tasked with investigating the smuggling of gold biscuits, which leads him to shocking discoveries. 

VANADEVATHA

Vanadevatha is a 1976 film, directed and produced by Yusufali Kechery. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhushala and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film follows Chandran, an artist, falls in love with a tribal woman. She gets murdered by an evil businessman. When Chandran learns about her death he decides to take revenge against the murderer.

PUNARJANMAM

Punarjanmam is a 1972 film, starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi. It is the first erotic psychic thriller in the history of Indian cinema.The film is directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, based on a case history published by famous atheist and psychiatrist A. T. Kovoor in Mathrubhumi weekly. The film follows Aravind with a chronic obsession about his dead mother, Aravindan finds his wife, Radha as his mother. Hence, he indisposes to have lusty affairs with Radha, which strains their relationship.

LOTTERY TICKET

Lottery Ticket is a 1970 film, directed by A. B. Raj. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Jose Prakash in the lead roles. The film follows Venu, who buys a lottery ticket and keeps it safely. When the result is published he finds that he has won the first prize. But soon he notices that his ticket has been replaced by an anonymous person.

LOVE IN KERALA

Love in Kerala is a 1968  film, directed by J. Sasikumar. The film stars Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi, Jose Prakash and Baby Padmini in the lead roles. The film follows Intelligence officer Chandra, who receives information that a foreign spy, Jackson, has come to India to meet a person called Silver Head. He realises that it is not so easy to capture them.

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