These talented Malayalam directors delivered a hit after their flop debut work

Year 2017 – A fantasy black comedy, Tharangam, starring Tovino Thomas was released. The movie was directed by the debutante Dominic Arun, and it received rave reviews from critics. However, the movie became a flop and the disheartened director went into a hibernation mode for a long period. Yet post-pandemic period, he started working on a new project and spending a few years, he gave the first female superhero movie to Indian cinema through Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025), which accumulated praises from both critics and audience, then became a Pan-India film and the first 300-crore film of Mollywood. His success story is a true inspiration for all those who failed in the first attempt and it gives energy to fight back.

It’s not an isolated incident. There are many such successful filmmakers across the globe, who have a story to tell about their unsuccessful beginning in the industry. Through this column, I list some of such gifted directors of Malayalam film industry, on whom luck showered its blessing in their second attempt.

Here are some notable Malayalam directors whose first film was a flop, but their second film became a hit/superhit or blockbuster.

Joshiy

Let’s begin with veterans. Joshiy was considered “unlucky director” after his debut film, Tiger Salim (1978) had failed. Two years later, he directed the iconic film, Moorkhan starring Jayan and Seema, which became a superhit. There was no turning back, and now Joshiy is regarded the true master, when it comes to action thrillers. No other director has been able to beat him in this genre of filmmaking.

Rajesh Pillai

Rajesh Pillai began his career with the romantic film, Hridayathil Sookshikkan in 2005. But the movie was a commercial failure and panned by critics. After a break of 6 years, he directed Traffic (2011) which became a trendsetter and widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave. This extremely talented director contributed a couple of memorable films – Mili and Vettah, before he passed away during the making of Hindi remake of Traffic.

Dinjith Ayyathan

His debut film, Kakshi: Amminippilla (2019) was critically well acclaimed but a moderate hit. But his second film, Kishkinda Kandam (2024) because a huge blockbuster and the career-defining role of Asif Ali. Dinjith Ayyathan’s third film, Eko (2025) also became critically accalimed and a box office hit.

Midhun Manuel Thomas

The comedy film Aadu (2015) starring Jayasurya was a flop at box office when it was released. But the movie earned a cult status among Malayalis very soon, and a meme material. Midhun remained a gifted screenwriter who co-wrote the blockbuster Ohm Shanthi Oshaana the previous year, and he still continues to be a favourite writer. Yet, as a director, his debut work was a flop. His second film was Annmariya Kalippilaanu (2016), which became a box office hit. But quite interesting, he is still popular of Aadu, which was a flop. Interestingly he directed its sequel, which became a huge hit. The success of Anjaam Pathiraa and Abraham Ozler made him a popular director of present decade.

Jis Joy

A screenwriter, lyricist and dubbing artist, Jis Joy is best known as Allu Arjun’s Malayalam voice. He ventured into direction through Bicycle Thieves in 2013. The movie was a flop. After a gap of 4 years, he directed Sunday Holiday (2017) which became a box office hit. Right from the debut flick, he is known for his successful association with Asif Ali. After the success of Sunday Holiday, he delivered 2 more box office hits with Asif Ali, Vijay Superum Pournamiyum and Thalavan. Innale Vare starring Asif Ali was directly streamed on OTT platform.

Anjali Menon

The most talented female director of the industry in the present times, Anjali Menon started her career with a short film, followed by directing a segment ‘Happy Journey’ in the 2009 anthology film, Kerala Café. Manjadikuru (2012) was her first full-fledged project as an independent director. Though the movie received a bunch of state and international film awards, it was not successful commercially. Anjali Menon is best known for her second film, Bangalore Days (2014), which was a blockbuster and loved by people all over India. It was one among the first Malayalam films aside Premam, which received Pan India appreciation. Interestingly Bangalore Days was among the last films before Nazriya Nazim took a hiatus from acting following her marriage with Bangalore Days-costar Fahadh Faasil, and her return also happened with another Anjali Menon film, Koode (2018). The movie was this seasonal director’s second venture and a hit. After the OTT release anthology film, Wonder Women in 2022, she has almost disappeared from Mollywood.

Tinu Pappachan

The director was known for his association with Lijo Jose Pellissery during his early days. As an independent director, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018) starring Antony Varghese, flopped in box office. However his second movie, again with Antony Varghese was a box office hit, Ajagajantharam (2021). Their third collaboration was Chaaver in 2023.

Rahul Sadasivan

Rahul started his career with 2013 film, Red Rain, which nobody heard about. His real debut in Mollywood happened with Bhoothakaalam (2022), almost a decade after his London Film Academy course and the debut film. The psychological horror movie released in OTT platform received positive response from critics and viewers and numerous prestigious awards as well. It seems the director loves horror genre. In 2024 he came with a horror experimental Black & White film starring Mammootty, Bramayugam, which became a huge commercial hit and was critically well acclaimed. His next horror film in the row is Diés Iraé, starring Pranav Mohanlal.

Aashiq Abu

Aashiq Abu started his career with Daddy Cool starring Mammootty in 2009. The movie received mixed reviews and flopped at box office. In 2011, he directed Salt N’ Pepper, which was widely praised for its making and the movie was a hit. After the release of his third film, 22 Female Kottayam (2012), a thriller, he cemented his position in Mollywood. Idukki Gold, Virus and Rifle Club are some of his best films later.

Special mentions of directors who delivered multiple flops before getting the first hit.

Lijo Jose Pellissery

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s debut film, Nayakan (2010), was not a commercial hit but received critical acclaim for its direction and technical aspects. After leaving a great impact with his debut film, the director left his mark with every film he directed later, winning many accolades across the globe. His second film, City of God released the following year too was a flop, despite receiving praises from critics. Finally, he tasted critical and commercial success with his third film, Amen (2013) starring Fahadh Faasil. After Double Barrel went wrong, he went on to direct some of the path defining films of past one decade – Angamaly Diaries, Ee.Ma.Yau., Jallikkattu, Churuli and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam. He is known for exploring dark themes and his works are praised by global audience and critics, irrespective of language barrier. Through his works, Lijo creates a fantasy world which appears so realistic, and his style of filmmaking has a huge fan crowd. Lijo also make brief appearances in films.

Amal Neerad

Amal Neerad’s debut work, Big B, starring Mammootty, was a flop at the box office upon its 2007 theatrical release but later became a cult classic. The movie was praised for stylish filmmaking. Working as an assistant in Bollywood for many years, he directed some more stylish films, which were noticed for filmmaking but flopped at box office. Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded starring Mohanlal and Anwar starring Prithviraj followed the same patterns. Bachelor Party (2012) was his first profitable venture, though it received mixed reviews. In 2014, he received critical acclaim for Iyobinte Pusthakam. Comrade in America, Varathan, Bheeshma Parvam and Bougainvillea are his best works later.

Some special mentions on directors who faced earlier struggles before turning popular

Sathyan Anthikad

Let’s begin with veterans. No doubt, Sathyan Anthikad is one of the most versatile and popular filmmakers of Malayalam cinema. He has a unique talent to tell the stories of common man, and they get easily connected with audiences. Ever since he became a known figure of Malayalam cinema since mid-1980s, it’s only rare times when his films flop. Most of his films have a cult following status as well. But it’s bit shocking to know, this talented director began his film journey with a few flop films. His debut film, Kurukkante Kalyanam was hit. It was followed by the flop, Kinnaram, best remembered the iconic “Pistah Suma Kira” comedy song of Jagathy, Mandanmmar Londonil, Appunni etc. The director started gaining recognition once he switched to family entertainers, choosing scripts which truly connected to common man, with a pinch of comedy. Still now, he remains at the top for this genre of films.

M. Padmakumar

During his initial phase, right from the debut film, Ammakilikkoodu in 2003, he faced a series of flops. Though performances of actor Prithviraj in his movie was praised throughout his films like Ammakilikkoodu, Vargam, Vaasthavam etc, he never received commercial success he was yearning for. In 2010, he directed Mohanlal starrer Shikkar, which became a box office hit. Later he has witnessed several downfalls in his career with many flops. Yet he has given some of the best films in the recent times like Joseph, Mamangam, Pathaam Valavu etc. Joseph starring Joju George is his best film up-to-date.

Before I wind up, a brief mention of directors whose first film became a moderate hit, and the second film became blockbuster. The first name coming to my mind is Alphonse Puthren. 

Alphonse Puthren is a talented young director of Malayalam. He marked his directorial debut with bilingual Neram starring Nivin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim, which became hit in both languages. Yet it was his directorial venture, Premam starring Nivin Pauly which made him immensely popular. Premam was the first Malayalam film of present-day generation which received popularity outside Kerala, irrespective of language or region. It’s widely regarded as one of the best romantic films made on Indian screen, post 2000s. Premam played a magnificent role in making Malayalam movies popular, and its credits go to its director, definitely.

Chidambaram is yet another young talented director of Malayalam whose debut film, Jan.E.Man (2021) fared well at box office. But it was his second film, Manjummel Boys (2024) which lifted his career as well as Malayalam cinema to another level, the movie which received praises crossing all boundaries and became the first Mollywood film to gross 200 crores.

Khalid Rahman gained recognition and fame through his debut flick, Anuraga Karikkin Vellam released in 2016. Yet working with megastar Mammootty brought him to list of A-rated young directors. Unda (2019) was widely praised for its making and was a superhit. Later his films – Thallumaala (2022), praised for its action choreography and Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025) earned him success and fame crossing borders. Now he is among the influential filmmakers of present-day Malayalam cinema.

Jofin T. Chacko marked his directorial debut with The Priest, starring Mammootty in 2021. The movie was an average hit at box office. In 2025, he directed Rekhachithram starring Asif Ali, which became one of the biggest hits of the year. The movie was also praised for the “An Alternate History” style of storytelling, which has rarely been explored in Indian cinema.

I am sure, I have missed many big filmmakers in this list. If you come across any, please let me know through comment section.