Malayalam Survival Drama 'Manjummel Boys' Set for OTT Release on Disney+ Hotstar

The highly acclaimed Malayalam survival drama 'Manjummel Boys' is gearing up for its digital premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on May 3, 2024. Based on a true story of friends encountering a harrowing ordeal at the Guna caves in 2006, the film will be available in multiple Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.

Directed by Chidambaram S Poduval, 'Manjummel Boys' features a talented ensemble cast led by Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, and Balu Varghese. The film follows a group of friends from Kochi who set out on a trip to Kodaikanal during the Onam vacation. While exploring the Guna Caves, one of their friends, Subhash, falls into a deep hole, setting off a frantic rescue mission.

Despite initial disbelief and resistance, the group persists in their efforts to save Subhash, relying on the bravery of their friend Siju. After a grueling ordeal, they successfully retrieve Subhash, who receives medical treatment. The friends decide to keep the incident a secret, forever bonded by their shared experience.

Why this matters: 'Manjummel Boys' has not only captivated audiences with its gripping portrayal of a real-life survival story but has also achieved remarkable commercial success. The film has become the first Malayalam production to surpass Rs 200 crore at the global box office and the highest-grossing Malayalam film overseas, highlighting the growing appeal and reach of regional Indian cinema.

Produced by Parava Films on a budget of Rs 20 crore, the principal photography of 'Manjummel Boys' took place over 101 working days in Kodaikanal, Kochi, and Perumbavoor. The film has been praised for its realistic approach, focusing on human emotions rather than relying on heavy music or melodrama.

'Manjummel Boys' had a successful theatrical run in Kerala and Tamil Nadu without a dubbed version, while the Telugu dubbed version is also running successfully. "The film's success is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of regional cinema to connect with audiences across languages and borders," said director Chidambaram S Poduval.

With its upcoming digital release on Disney+ Hotstar, 'Manjummel Boys' is poised to reach an even wider audience, offering viewers a compelling and emotionally charged survival drama that celebrates the strength of friendship and the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways

• Malayalam survival drama 'Manjummel Boys' to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on May 3, 2024.
• Based on a true story of friends' ordeal at Guna caves in 2006, film to release in multiple languages.
• 'Manjummel Boys' becomes the first Malayalam production to cross ₹200 crore globally, highest-grossing overseas.
• Film praised for realistic approach, focusing on human emotions over melodrama, successful theatrical run.
• Upcoming digital release aims to reach wider audience, celebrating friendship and human spirit in adversity.