Led by Ronald Thondickal, RFT Films has been instrumental in bridging Malayalam narratives with the European market. They made global headlines by managing expansive multi-country rollouts for epics like Malaikottai Vaaliban and the survival drama Aadujeevitham .
They filed into the auditorium. The screen was still playing adverts for local solicitors and Indian grocery stores in East Ham and Alum Rock. It was a bizarre duality—seeing images of a Birmingham curry house on a giant cinema screen in Manchester. But it felt like home. uk malayalam movies
The story was simple: An elderly Keralite man, Rajan, works the night shift cleaning a near-deserted Tube station in East London. Every night, a young Bengali woman sits on Platform 8, waiting for a train that never comes. She doesn't speak Malayalam; he doesn't speak Bengali. But they share silent cups of chai, and one night, he notices her crying. Without words, he takes out a cassette player and plays a lullaby from his village— Omanathinkal Kidavo . She doesn’t understand the words. But she weeps harder, and then smiles. Led by Ronald Thondickal, RFT Films has been
Cineworld in London or Manchester recently and seen a buzzing crowd dressed in mundus and traditional attire, you’ve likely caught the "Mollywood" wave. Malayalam cinema is having a major moment in the UK, transforming from niche community screenings into a powerhouse of international distribution. From Kerala to the Thames: Movies Filmed in the UK The relationship between Malayalam cinema and the UK isn't just about viewers; it’s about the setting. Several high-profile films have traded the backwaters of Alappuzha for the streets of London: London Bridge (2014) : Entirely shot in the UK, this romantic drama starring Prithviraj Sukumaran captures iconic British landscapes as the backdrop for a complex love triangle. English: An Autumn in London (2013) : A satirical look at the lives of Malayali immigrants, featuring Jayasurya and Nivin Pauly . It perfectly captures the "autumnal" mood of London life. Drama (2018) : This Mohanlal starrer was filmed largely in Ashtead and surrounding English suburbs, telling the story of a funeral director fulfilling a client’s final wish. White (2016) : Starring Mammootty , this film utilized London’s sleek urban aesthetic to tell a story of a billionaire and a young woman. Show more What’s Playing Now & Next? The distribution landscape has changed drastically. With major deals like the partnership between Panorama Studios and Phars Film , blockbusters are hitting UK screens almost simultaneously with their India release. Chatha Pacha : Released in January 2026 across 111 screens in the UK and Ireland. Pallichattambi : Expected in UK cinemas from The screen was still playing adverts for local
Driven by a massive surge in the student and healthcare diaspora, what was once a niche market restricted to community halls has evolved into a powerhouse of mainstream theatrical releases. Major UK theater chains now routinely screen Mollywood releases on the same day they hit screens in India, generating massive box office returns.
Dedicated agencies like Ashirvad Cinemas UK brought structural stability. Blockbusters began releasing closer to their domestic debut dates, establishing a loyal, eager moviegoing audience.
The lights dimmed. The chatter died down instantly. The familiar green and yellow logo of the production house flashed on screen.
Led by Ronald Thondickal, RFT Films has been instrumental in bridging Malayalam narratives with the European market. They made global headlines by managing expansive multi-country rollouts for epics like Malaikottai Vaaliban and the survival drama Aadujeevitham .
They filed into the auditorium. The screen was still playing adverts for local solicitors and Indian grocery stores in East Ham and Alum Rock. It was a bizarre duality—seeing images of a Birmingham curry house on a giant cinema screen in Manchester. But it felt like home.
The story was simple: An elderly Keralite man, Rajan, works the night shift cleaning a near-deserted Tube station in East London. Every night, a young Bengali woman sits on Platform 8, waiting for a train that never comes. She doesn't speak Malayalam; he doesn't speak Bengali. But they share silent cups of chai, and one night, he notices her crying. Without words, he takes out a cassette player and plays a lullaby from his village— Omanathinkal Kidavo . She doesn’t understand the words. But she weeps harder, and then smiles.
Cineworld in London or Manchester recently and seen a buzzing crowd dressed in mundus and traditional attire, you’ve likely caught the "Mollywood" wave. Malayalam cinema is having a major moment in the UK, transforming from niche community screenings into a powerhouse of international distribution. From Kerala to the Thames: Movies Filmed in the UK The relationship between Malayalam cinema and the UK isn't just about viewers; it’s about the setting. Several high-profile films have traded the backwaters of Alappuzha for the streets of London: London Bridge (2014) : Entirely shot in the UK, this romantic drama starring Prithviraj Sukumaran captures iconic British landscapes as the backdrop for a complex love triangle. English: An Autumn in London (2013) : A satirical look at the lives of Malayali immigrants, featuring Jayasurya and Nivin Pauly . It perfectly captures the "autumnal" mood of London life. Drama (2018) : This Mohanlal starrer was filmed largely in Ashtead and surrounding English suburbs, telling the story of a funeral director fulfilling a client’s final wish. White (2016) : Starring Mammootty , this film utilized London’s sleek urban aesthetic to tell a story of a billionaire and a young woman. Show more What’s Playing Now & Next? The distribution landscape has changed drastically. With major deals like the partnership between Panorama Studios and Phars Film , blockbusters are hitting UK screens almost simultaneously with their India release. Chatha Pacha : Released in January 2026 across 111 screens in the UK and Ireland. Pallichattambi : Expected in UK cinemas from
Driven by a massive surge in the student and healthcare diaspora, what was once a niche market restricted to community halls has evolved into a powerhouse of mainstream theatrical releases. Major UK theater chains now routinely screen Mollywood releases on the same day they hit screens in India, generating massive box office returns.
Dedicated agencies like Ashirvad Cinemas UK brought structural stability. Blockbusters began releasing closer to their domestic debut dates, establishing a loyal, eager moviegoing audience.
The lights dimmed. The chatter died down instantly. The familiar green and yellow logo of the production house flashed on screen.