Top 10 Best True Crime Movies In Malayalam

In the past few years, Mollywood has taken the spotlight among movie buffs for its diverse storytelling and brilliant cinematic experience. With hits ranging from romantic flicks like Premam to edge-of-the-seat thrillers like Drishyam, or heartwarming feel-good stories like Bangalore Days or Home to Superhero action dramas like Minnal Murali, Malayalam movies have carved their niche in the realm of filmmaking. Another compelling genre in which Malayalam films excel is the portrayal of true crimes on the silver screen. The tremendous popularity of the Netflix documentary “Curry and Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case” inspired our team at Top 10s Only to consider audiences who appreciate such dark themes and are engrossed in gripping crime stories. Taking into consideration such movie fans, we have crafted a comprehensive list of Mollywood’s Top 10 Best True Crime Movies for you to sit back and enjoy this weekend.

 True Crime Movies: Exploring Real Stories On The Malayalam Silver Screen!

 Real-life crimes are frightening and unsettling, but there is an intriguing aspect to tracking their narratives for the suspense, emotions, and pursuit of justice involved. The Malayalam movie industry has done a great job drawing inspiration from some of these true crime incidents that shook the state and turned grim realities into unforgettable moments on the big screen. Get ready to experience a rollercoaster of emotions while we take you through a compilation of the top 10 best true-story movies about crimes in Kerala.

 1. Madrasile Mon (1982)

If you are searching for Malayalam true crime films, Madrasile Mon is a classic movie starring the yesteryear hero Raveendran in the lead role as Reny George, along with Mohanlal (portraying one of the accomplices, a Mauritian citizen named Gulam Mohammed). Thespian actors K. P. Ummer and
Sheela played the roles of the victims, K.C. George and his wife, Rachel. This movie follows the investigation of the gruesome murder of an elderly couple in south Kerala, inspired by the infamous Karikkan Villa Murder case. The only clues that led the police to the murderer were some footprints from a shoe not made in India and the reference to a ‘Madrasile Mon’ (son from Madras) by the maid Gowri. Madrasile Mon became a sensational hit, becoming one of the earliest suspense thriller movies of SuperStar Mohanlal.

The Real-Life Story Behind Madrasile Mon – The Karikkan Villa double murder case

The Karikkan Villa double murder case that occurred in Meenthalakkara, Tiruvalla, was sensational in the year 1980. In Karikkan Villa, the residence of K.C. George and his wife Rachel, their maid Gowri found their lifeless bodies. During police questioning, Gowri disclosed that the couple had spoken about a close relative, referred to as ‘Madrasile Mon,’ planning to visit them. The investigation ultimately implicated Reny George, the relative, who, along with three foreign acquaintances, all drug addicts, was revealed to be the perpetrator.

2. NH 47 (1984)

NH47, directed by Baby, is one of the popular free-to-watch Malayalam true crime movies on YouTube. Based on the notorious Chacko murder case in 1984, this movie was the first among the three movies adapted from the incident, ‘Pinneyum (2016), starring Dileep, and ‘Kurup (2021), with Dulquer Salman in the lead, being the other two. The character of Sukumara Kurup, who allegedly plotted this murder and is absconding in real life to date, was portrayed by T.G. Ravi in this movie.

The Real-Life Story Behind NH 47 – Chacko murder case

NH 47 narrates the story of one of the longest-standing cases in the judicial history of Kerala, the Chacko murder case. The accused, Sukumara Kurup, allegedly strangled to death and burned Chacko’s body in his ambassador car to fake his own death and claim insurance worth Rs 8.00,000. Although his accomplices were immediately caught and sentenced, Kurup still remains untraced, which was one of the reasons to draw large-scale media attention.

3. Kaanathaya Penkutty (1985)

Another movie that talks about the dark side of humanity is Kaanathaya Penkutty. Falling into the mystery genre, this movie takes you through the investigation journey of a young girl who went missing and was found dead on the railway tracks. Kaanathaya Penkutty, with Bharath Gopi, Jayabharathi, and Mammooty in the lead, is one of the crime thriller Malayalam movies inspired by real-life incidents. With its smartly written plot, the movie becomes a perfect whodunnit with an unbelievable twist at the end.

The Real-Life Story Behind Kaanathaya Penkutty – Thrissur Missing/Murder Case

Kaanathaya Penkutty is adapted from a true incident that happened in the Thrissur district of Kerala in 1979. The girl who went missing was later found to have been murdered by her own mother in a desperate attempt to hide her illegal relationship with a family friend from her husband.

4. Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988)

Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, to this day, remains one of the top-rated real crime movies in Malayalam, whose success inspired four more sequels in the coming years with the fictional lead character of Sethurama Iyer, CBI (played by Mammootty). With S.N. Swamy’s prowess with mind-bending scripts and K. Madhu’s direction, this mystery thriller manages to keep you hooked even if you have watched it multiple times.

The Real-Life Story Behind Oru CBI Diary Kurippu – Polakulam murder case

The story of the movie revolves around the Polakulam murder case in Ernakulam in the year 1983. A hotel employee, Polakkulam Peethambaran, was murdered and dropped from the terrace to make it look like a murder. This was the first case in Kerala State that saw the famous humanoid dummy experiment (also recreated in the movie) and polygraphic tests as part of the crime investigation. The lead character, Sethurama Iyer, was also inspired by the investigating officer of this case, Radha Vinod Raju, IPS. However, after several years of release and the success of the movie, the Supreme Court released the convict Polakkulam Narayanan on grounds of lack of evidence, quite contrary to the movie’s climax.

5. Crime File (1999)

Yet another action-crime thriller by director K. Madhu, Crime File, narrates the murder investigation story of a nun found dead in a well near the convent. The consequent deaths of the suspects thicken the plot, while police officer Easow Panicker, portrayed by Suresh Gopi, leaves no stone unturned to discover the truth. The unpredictable array of suspects and plot twists in the storyline make this movie one of the ten best true crime Mollywood movies. It is alleged that the climax of the movie was reshot after its release owing to strong protests by the Catholic community, citing the involvement of a priest in the murder in its original version.

The Real-Life Story Behind Crime File – Sister Abhaya Murder Case

The movie is loosely based on the 1992 murder case of Sister Abhaya, found dead in a well in St. Pius X Convent, Kottayam, Kerala. Initially written off as a suicide by the local police, this case went on to be one of the longest-running investigations and most-followed stories by the media and public in its time. After 28 years of unsatisfactory investigations plagued by the influence of powerful bureaucrats, Fr. Thomas Kottur and Sr. Stephy were found responsible for the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. 

6. Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (film) (2009)

Our next addition to the list of true story movies in Malayalam inspired by real events is Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, written and directed by Ranjith. Based on a novel of the same name by T.P. Rajeevan, the story revolves around the first recorded murder case in Kerala. A private detective,Haridas, played by Mammooty, arrives in the village of Paleri, Kerala, and his investigation of the rape and murder of a young girl half a century later becomes the crux of the plot. The non-linear storytelling and Mammooty’s stellar performance in various get-ups make this movie one of the best Malayalam suspense thriller movies based on real crimes.

The Real-Life Story Behind Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha – Paleri Manikyam Murder Case

According to director Ranjith, the movie, as well as the novel, draw inspiration from the first registered crime against women in Kerala in 1952. This particular case involves the rape and murder of a young girl from the Thiyya community weeks after her arrival in the village following her marriage. While the specific details of the case are not disclosed, its fate is said to be unresolved, even after several years.

7. Oru Kuprasidha Payyan (2018) 

Starring Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan in the lead roles, Oru Kuprasiddha Payyan is an essential inclusion in the Malayalam crime thriller movies list. Directed by actor Madhupal, this movie is based on the true-life account of Jayesh (renamed Ajayan in the movie), the prime suspect in the sensational Sundari Amma murder case. The rest of the story explores the struggles of Ajayan and his advocate, Hannah Elizabeth, when the Crime Branch police frame him with fake evidence in desperation when they fail to catch the real culprit. The authentic performances of both the lead actors make the movie convincing and take the viewers on an emotional ride through Ajayan’s life.

The Real-Life Story Behind Oru Kuprasidha Payyan – Sundari Amma murder case

Jayesh, whose real-life incident became the inspiration for this movie, worked as a waiter at the City Light Hotel in Kozhikode. He used to collect idlies for the hotel every morning from Sundari Amma, a 69-year-old lady with whom he shared a special bond. However, when she was found dead at her house, the Crime Branch falsely accused Jayesh of the murder. While the police tortured him brutally to accept the crime, it was an advocate named Anil Kumar who came as his saviour and proved him innocent. 

8. Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)

Anjaam Pathira is a fast-paced slasher movie written and directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, in which Kunchacko Boban portrays the role of police criminologist Dr. Anwer Hussain. The seat-edger plot takes you through an intense journey of investigation into the serial killings of police officers by a smart killer who challenges the police, leaving Lady Justice figurines near the dead bodies. The eerie background score and realistic performances successfully elevate the tense atmosphere throughout the movie, making it one of the highest-grossing and highest-rated true crime movies in Malayalam in the year 2020.

The Real-Life Story Behind Anjaam Pathira – Ripper Chandran And Psycho Simon Cases

Anjaam Pathira takes inspiration from multiple real-life incidents. The subplot involving Psycho Simon bears resemblance to the Nanthancode Massacre case, in which a schizophrenic son kills his entire family. However, the character Ripper Ravi, played by Indrans, is believed to be loosely inspired by the notorious Ripper Chandran, who was accused of fourteen murders during robberies and was hanged to death in 1991.

9. Kuttavum Shikshayum (2022)

Kuttavum Shikshayum, directed by Rajeev Ravi, is a real-life adaptation of a jewelry shop robbery in Kasaragod, Kerala. The ensemble cast of the movie, including Asif Ali, a police officer investigating the crime, embarks on a journey to Uttar Pradesh to nab the criminals. Without any gimmicks or jumpscares, this movie successfully manages to be a nail-biting thriller, guaranteeing it a place in the list of the best true crime movies in Malayalam. 

The Real-Life Story Behind Kuttavum Shikshayum – Sumangali Jewellers robbery case

The movie is centred around the Sumangali Jewellers robbery case in Kasaragod, Kerala, that grabbed headlines in 2016. The police busted the thieves, identified as migrant labourers from Dhanpura, Uttar Pradesh, following a meticulous two-year-long investigation.

10. Kannur Squad (2023)

It is nearly impossible to omit Kannur Squad, released this year, from our list of the most popular true crime movies in Malayalam. With Mammooty in the lead role as ASI George Martin, Kannur Squad is the directorial debut of Roby Varghese Raj. The technical finesse and director’s attention to detail elevated this film to a cinematic masterpiece. The pace of the movie is so intense that you won’t want to blink or miss any moment in the journey of the squad across the country in search of criminals who fled after ruthlessly robbing and murdering a businessman in Kasaragod.

The Real-Life Story Behind Kannur Squad – Police Investigative Team Named “Kannur Squad”

The movie cinematically depicts various real-life encounters by the crime investigation unit called ‘Kannur Squad’, which was formed by the former Kannur SP, S. Sreejith, IPS. The squad was active for over a decade, during which period occurred the horrific incident involving the murder of industrialist Abdul Salam Haji. The culprits were nabbed from over 6,000 km away from the original crime scene by the Kannur squad, adding another feather to their caps. The glory of Kannur Squad is celebrated convincingly in this movie, making it an obvious choice among the Malayalam true crime movies to watch online

Top 10 Best True Crime Movies: Dark Crime Realities On Malayalam Cine Screens

Malayalam cinema’s narrative excellence has demonstrated that the sensitivity of real-life crime incidents can be balanced by skillful storytelling, resulting in a collection of movies that leave a lasting impact. These movies undoubtedly hook the audience not just because of the intense drama but also because of the genuine empathy toward the victims. We hope this article helped you revisit the top 10 Malayalam crime investigation movies inspired by real-life events, which are just as gripping as fiction, sometimes even more so.

Frequently Asked Questions About 

1. Are there any good Malayalam mystery movies based on true crimes? 

Yes, there are many Malayalam mystery movies that are centred around true crimes.

2. Which are the top Malayalam crime thriller movies inspired by true crimes committed in Kerala?

The top Malayalam crime thriller movies are Madrasile mon, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (film), Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, Crime File, NH 47, Kaanathaya Penkutty, Operation Java, Anjaam Pathiraa, Kannur Squad, Oru Kuprasidha Payyan etc.

3. Why are Mollywood’s true crime films popular?

The engaging plots and dramatic visualisation combined with the acting prowess of Malayalam movie actors make Mollywood’s true crime films popular

4. Which are the popular criminal cases in Kerala that have been made into fims?

The popular criminal cases like Sr. Abhaya murder case, Karikkan Villa murder case, Nanthancode Massacre, Sumangali Jewelers robbery etc have been made into films