Gen-Next arrives in Malayalam

Three new Malayalam films are releasing this weekend, and the battle lines are drawn.

The battle is essentially between two of the most high-profile young heroes of Malayalam, as Jayasurya's Kunjaliyan is pitted against Asif Ali's Asuravithu. 

The third release is Orkut Oru Ormakkoottu, with a group of rank newcomers teaming up with Rima Kallingal.

We take a look at the three films.

Kunjaliyan

Director: Saji Surendran

Cast: Jayasurya, Ananya

Saji Surendran started off directing television serials and he has made some notable hits like Ivar Vivahitharayal and Happy Husbands in quick succession. 

His team of scenarist Krishna Poojappura, cinematographer Anil Nair and hero Jayasurya is coming together once again in Kunjaliyan. It's a laugh riot and narrates the story of a young man who finds acceptance from his family once he becomes successful.

Jayasurya, who is riding high after the success of his film Beautiful, hopes his favourite team delivers the goods once again. 

Ananya plays the female lead. She made her debut in Positive, which had Jayasurya in the lead, but this is the first time she plays the heroine opposite him. 

Produced under the banner of Mulakupadam Films, Kunjaliyan has music by M G Sreekumar.

Director: A K Sajan

Cast: Asif Ali, Samvritha Sunil

Well known scenarist of films like Butterflies, Kashmeeram and Chintamani Kolacase, A K Sajan, had earlier directed Stop Violence, with Prithviraj in the lead and Lanka, which had Mamta Mohandas playing the heroine opposite Suresh Gopi. 

Now he directs young hero Asif Ali in Asuravithu. 

Asif plays Don Bosco, a soft spoken and religious young man, who is studying in a seminary. He is witness to an incident and that changes his life forever. Samvritha plays a smart, vibrant young woman who manages her own affairs. 

Produced by Shaji Thanapramabil under the banner of Leela Creations, Asuravithu has cinematography by Vishnu Narayan and music by Alphons.

Director: Manoj-Vinod

Cast: Rima Kallingal and a bunch of new faces.

Directed by debutants Manoj and Vinod, the long-delayed Orkut Oru Ormakkoottu is releasing today, January 5. This is the first Malayalam movie to hit the screens in 2012. 

The film has been in the news mainly due to its leading actors: director Siby Malayil's son Joe, actor Lalu Alex's son Ben, actor Vinu Mohan's brother Anu Mohan and still photographer Gopalakrishnan's son Vishnu.

Rima Kallingal plays a Malayali girl living abroad, who befriends four young boys through a social networking site. 

"I loved shooting for the film and the energy level was just amazing with these young friends around," says Rima. 

The film has been produced by Johnny Sagarika and the cinematographer is Swaroop Philip.