The Malayalam film industry always continues to impress with its powerful performances and diverse genres,, and with the rise of OTT Platforms, it is easier for audiences to enjoy the best of Mollywood from the comfort of their homes. In April 2025, they brought a fresh lineup of Malayalam releases on Platforms like ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video, and JioHotstar. From thrilling action to heartfelt dramas and laughter comedies. Here are some of the Malayalam OTT Releases of this month that will excite you to the next level.
L2: Empuraan [Action, Thriller]
Empuraan is not just a film; it’s an experience that elevates Malayalam cinema to a global scale. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer masterfully blends intense action, political intrigue, and emotional depth, all backed by exceptional technical craftsmanship.
A Bigger, Bolder Narrative
The film expands beyond Kerala, diving deeper into the global reach of Stephen’s empire. The script, penned by Murali Gopy, is intricate yet gripping, keeping audiences hooked with well-paced twists. Unlike many commercial sequels that rely on nostalgia, “Empuraan” crafts a fresh, layered story with real stakes. Chief Minister Jathin Ramdas’s unexpected alliance with the controversial leader Baba Bajrangi sets the stage for a gripping narrative. The return of Stephen Nedumpally, portrayed by Mohanlal, is both timely and electrifying, as he endeavors to restore balance amidst the turmoil.
Cinema’s Visual Poetry
Sujith Vaassudev’s cinematography is breathtaking. Each frame is meticulously crafted, with grand, sweeping shots that enhance the film’s scale. The use of lighting and color tones reflects the film’s mood perfectly, shifting between dark, intense sequences and visually stunning action set pieces. The seamless blend of practical and CGI-enhanced visuals ensures a world-class cinematic experience.
Supporting Cast Shines
Apart from Mohanlal, the supporting cast plays a vital role in elevating the film. Prithviraj himself delivers a compelling performance as Zayed Masood, and Manju Warrier’s role adds emotional depth to the story. Every character is well-written and serves a purpose, making the narrative even richer.
Final Verdict
It’s an experience that evokes profound emotions and leaves an indelible mark on its audience. It exemplifies the zenith of cinematic artistry, blending technical innovation. Whether you’re a fan of political thrillers, action-packed spectacles, or just great storytelling, “Empuraan” is a must-watch. Prithviraj proves once again why he is one of the most visionary filmmakers in the industry, and Mohanlal reminds us why he remains the king.
IMDb Rating – 6.4/10
Daveed [Action, Drama]
A straight, strong power punch movie with an intriguing screenplay, exceptional performances, and goosebump action sequences.
Where it failed
The first half was not at all engaging. Since it’s a sports drama, the story is predictable. However, it fails to engage the audience with those ‘wow’ factor moments, which are generally seen in peep movies. Pepe has taken great pains for the movie, but his efforts are not reflected in the movie to the optimum.
Cast Performance
Mo Ismail has given an incredible performance, and his dialogue through his voice was unmatchable, reflecting the courage and strength of an unstoppable force. and an Impressive performance in the action sequences in the ring, and gave life to the emotions in the right harmony. Impressive performances by Vijay Raghavan with his stage mannerisms and dialogue delivery, Lijomol Jose as a bold and strong housewife, Saiju Kurup, Jess Kukku, Saiju Kurup, and Aju Varghese.
Choreography and BGM
A well-choreographed action drama movie in the right spirit and emotions, hard-hitting in the minds of the viewers, which is captured by Salu K. Thomas. Special appreciation to PC Stunts Prabhu for the top-notch action sequences in the movie.
Rakesh Cherumadam has trimmed the movie into an action-packed family entertainer, and Justin Varghese has given hooking BGMs syncing to the action sequences.
IMDb Rating – 6.1/10
Am Ah
The village, the scenery, everything looks stunning. The cinematography really pulls you in, and the visuals stick with you even after the movie ends.
Average Storyline
The story follows Stephen, a road construction supervisor, who visits the picturesque mountainside hamlet of Kavantha in Idukki. There, he encounters a grandmother-granddaughter duo living in isolation. Stephen’s curiosity about their past leads to a series of revelations that intertwine themes of love, emotion, and mystery.
Cast and Performance
Dileesh Pothan portrays Stephen with a nuanced performance and captures an emotional depth. The supporting cast, Are Meera Vasudev, T.G. Ravi, Maala Parvathi, and Jaffer Idukki, contribute brilliant performances.
Where Does It Lack
Some critics felt the performance, as well as the character development, was not sufficient to leave a lasting impression. Then there is Devadarshini’s character. The first 20 minutes feature a documentary-style presentation by Jaffer Khan and Dileesh Pothan about the landscape and lifestyle of Idukki, but it was unclear what purpose this served. The director may have intended her to represent maternal love or sacrifice, but the execution makes her appear either ultra-psycho or simply irritating.
IMDb Rating – 6.7/10
Pravinkoodu Shappu [Crime, Thriller]
GOOD Script or Confusing Storyline? The untold story. Kannan and Merinda are the real villains of the movie. They cheat Komban. Komban bought the house of Kannan and Merinda. Kannan tears the 3 pages from Komban’s diary. Because Komban has written down the amount of their debt. Kannan has a sexual problem, which is why Merinda can’t get pregnant. Komban is the father of the child. Merinda will do anything for money. They play mind game with Santhosh. Because Santhosh also has weaknesses with girls. Santhosh knows Merinda is involved in this.
She fell asleep even though someone had attacked her house a few hours before. Santhosh saw the way Kannan held the knife on Merinda’s neck, which was not in a harmful way. Santhosh is a gold-level shooter. His real target is Merinda. He didn’t miss the shot. Also, Santhosh shoots her in the right place.
He knows where the kidney is. So, Merinda can survive. The unexpected thing for Kannan is when Suni finds their tricks. The Director of the movie made a screenplay for this movie to hide the real story from the audience. The director is the real magician.
Stellar Performance
Basil Joseph as the investigative officer had done an astounding performance. Basil brings out the transformation it requires thereon making the character worth watching at the big screen.Another notable performance was of Soubin Shahir, playing the character of a worker in a toddy shop.Apart from the lead, artists Chandini Sreedharan, Chemban Vinod & also the characters surrounding the toddy shop had done a decent performance.
Production Design ,Music and Cinematography
Gokul Das’ production design & Vishnu Vijay’s music accelerates the viewing interest. Shyju Khalid cinematography is also top notch especially during the bike chase scenes, it is worth captivating.
IMDb Rating – 6.6/10
Written by: NileshShiv