Vismaya Mohanlal's Thudakkam Sets Record for Female-Led Malayalam Film

Vismaya Mohanlal and Ashish Joe Antony's debut film Thudakkam has made a remarkable entrance at the box office, reportedly achieving the largest worldwide opening for a female-led Malayalam film. Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, the thriller has been released in cinemas across the United Arab Emirates and has garnered significant attention.

Thudakkam raked in an estimated ₹68 million on its opening day, according to data from the box-office tracking firm Sacnilk. The film reportedly collected around ₹20 million in India from 1,102 screenings, while its overseas earnings contributed approximately ₹30 million to the total. This stellar performance helped Thudakkam surpass the previous record held by Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, which had opened with about ₹60 million worldwide.

Although Lokah performed better in India, collecting approximately ₹20 million net and ₹30 million gross, it was Thudakkam's overseas earnings that propelled it to a record-breaking position. As the cinema landscape adapts to changing audience preferences, Vismaya Mohanlal's performance is under close scrutiny, particularly given her familial connection to Malayalam cinema's superstar, Mohanlal.

Critics have noted that the film, while addressing serious issues faced by women, including harassment and victim-blaming, has its own flaws. One review by Manjusha Radhakrishnan rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting that Vismaya delivers a commendable performance despite occasional struggles in emotional scenes. Ashish Joe Antony's portrayal of a near-silent psychopath has also drawn praise, casting him as a notable surprise in the film.

For Vismaya Mohanlal, this marked a significant milestone. Born on March 27, 1994, she is the daughter of iconic actor Mohanlal and has a legacy to uphold. Her training in various art forms, including theatre across multiple countries and Muay Thai, showcases her preparedness for her acting career. As Vismaya transitions into the industry, it remains to be seen whether Thudakkam can sustain its early success and draw audiences for an extended theatrical run.

The film's ensemble cast includes stalwarts such as Sai Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, Ganesh Kumar, Bobby Kurian, Kottayam Ramesh, Jaya Kurup, and Jaffar Idukki, alongside Mohanlal in a cameo role. As the film continues to gain traction, observers will be watching closely to see if it can emulate the massive success of its predecessor, Lokah, which has set a high benchmark in recent Malayalam cinema.