Manjummel Boys: Collects Rs 240 crores, 10 State Awards but faces fraud case drama and arrest of actor

A movie that cost Rs 20 crore, has made more than Rs 240 crore at the box office.

Manjummel Boys wins 10 Kerala State Film Awards, even if there are problems and arguments. Manjummel Boys, one of the most popular Malayalam movies, made history by winning 10 Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

Chidambaram directed the movie, which not only blew people away but also set box office records, making it the most successful Malayalam movie of all time. But there was a story of problems, fights, and creative genius behind the success.

A movie that cost Rs 20 crore, has made more than Rs 240 crore at the box office. It made Rs 141 crore in India and an incredible Rs 240.5 crore over the world. It was number one at the box office for months because moviegoers connected with its emotional stories, which were based on real events. After that, Dulquer Salmaan's Lokah took over.

The Law Storm

Even though it was a big smash, Manjummel Boys had a big dilemma. Siraj Valayithira told the police that he had invested Rs 7 crore in the movie but was later denied his portion of the earnings. He lodged the complaint against actor Soubin Shahir and his crew of co-producers.

The complaint included Soubin, his father Babu Shahir, and producer Shawn Antony, who are all partners at Parava Films. Soubin was detained for stealing money, however he was later let go on bond. The matter is still going through the courts, which makes the happy scene in the movie feel less real.

Making the Guna Caves Famous Again

The story of Manjummel Boys is based on a true story from 2006, when a group of friends from Manjummel went to Kodaikanal and one of them got lost in the Guna Caves. The producers wanted to shoot in genuine caves at first, but they changed their minds due of safety and logistical issues. Instead, they made a set that looked like the dangerous region.

Chidambaram, the director, told Onmanorama that the experience was hard but also gratifying. He said, "The trip wasn't easy, but it was worth it." We got what we deserved, and that makes us want to do even better. Ajayan Chalissery, the art director, told Mathrubhumi that his team used authentic rock molds from different places of Kodaikanal to make the Guna Caves.

They dug a bunch of tunnels that were 50 feet deep and connected them to make a 150-foot drop that looked real for the concluding shots. Ajayan said, "The actors, including Soubin, had to hang almost 40 feet off the ground." "We wanted to keep it safe while also making it look real." The fake rain effects, on the other hand, caused the big set flood a lot, so the crew had to keep pumping out water to keep everyone safe while they were filming.

Also read: Kerala State Film Awards 2025: Complete list of winners

From Hard Work to Success

Manjummel Boys indicates that Malayalam cinema is both innovative and professional because it was able to deal with problems during production and controversy. The Kerala State Picture Awards were the last stop on its journey from a local Rs 20 crore movie to a global blockbuster worth Rs 240 crore. This win marks a new chapter in its already amazing career.