Aashirvad Cinemas
Aashirvad Cinemas is an Indian film production company based in Kerala. It was established in 2000 by Antony Perumbavoor, since then, it has produced 28 Malayalam films, starring Mohanlal. Since 2009, the company co-operates with the distribution company Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments co-founded by Mohanlal and Antony Perumbavoor for distributing films. It is one among the most active and leading production houses in the Malayalam film industry.
Aashirvad Cinemas has established itself as the most successful production house in Malayalam by producing several of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, such as Narasimham, Rasathanthram, Drishyam, Oppam, Odiyan, and Lucifer. It has also produced three of the most expensive Malayalam films — Odiyan, Lucifer, and .
Aashirvad Cinemas has won several awards, including a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards and a Filmfare Awards South. In 2019, Aashirvad Cinemas opened office in Hong Kong with the name Feitian Aashirvad Cinemas and signed an agreement with a Chinese film production company to co-produce and distribute films in China.
History
Aashirvad Cinemas was founded by Mohanlal's former chauffeur Antony Perumbavoor in 2000. Its first production was the 2000 film, Narasimham, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time. The company's next was the 2001 action drama film, Raavanaprabhu, which was a sequel to the 1993 film, Devasuram, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. Over the years, Aashrivad Cinemas have continued to receive great reception and success for their films and continue making new records.The action drama Natturajavu was the only release in 2004, it was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. Joshiy-directed action drama Naran was the only release in 2005, which was also one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. In the following year, Sathyan Anthikkad-directed family drama Rasathanthram became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. Two films released in 2009, action film Sagar Alias Jackie Reloaded directed by Amal Neerad, a spiritual successor to Mohanlal's 1987 film Irupatham Noottandu. It was a commercial success, but met with mixed reviews.
The 2011 comedy film China Town made ₹15.2 crore at the box office and was a major commercial success. The 2012 drama Spirit won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. In 2013, family-thriller Drishyam received widespread critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever and the first to gross over ₹50 crore mark at the box office. The 2016 crime thriller Oppam also became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time by grossing ₹65 crore worldwide.
Mohanlal and Lal Jose collaborated for the first time in Velipadinte Pusthakam in 2017, which was a moderate success. In 2019, Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed action drama Lucifer grossed ₹200 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film till date, beating Mohanlal's Pulimurugan. It was also the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹50 crore in overseas markets. It was followed by the comedy drama ' directed by debutant duo Jibi-Joju. It received mixed reviews, but was a commercial success. The company produced ', an action period film directed by Priyadarshan based on the life of Kunjali Marakkar. It is the most expensive Malayalam film ever, with a budget of ₹100 crore.It was slated for a release of 27 March 2020,but was later delayed due to the 19-20 coronavirus-pandemic.
Filmography
Awards
Following are the awards won by Aashirvad Cinemas. The awards received by the producer alone is included in this list.Award | Year | Category | Film | Result |
National Film Awards | 2012 | Best Film on Other Social Issues | Spirit | |
Kerala State Film Awards | 2001 | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Raavanaprabhu | |
Kerala State Film Awards | 2008 | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Innathe Chintha Vishayam | |
Kerala State Film Awards | 2009 | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Evidam Swargamanu | |
Kerala State Film Awards | 2013 | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Drishyam | |
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | 2009 | Best Film | Evidam Swargamanu | |
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | 2013 | Best Film | Drishyam | |
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | 2016 | Best Film | Oppam | |
Filmfare Awards South | 2008 | Best Film – Malayalam | Innathe Chintha Vishayam | |
Filmfare Awards South | 2009 | Best Film – Malayalam | Evidam Swargamanu | |
Filmfare Awards South | 2013 | Best Film – Malayalam | Drishyam | |
Filmfare Awards South | 2016 | Best Film – Malayalam | Oppam | |
South Indian International Movie Awards | 2012 | Best Film – Malayalam | Spirit | |
South Indian International Movie Awards | 2013 | Best Film – Malayalam | Drishyam | |
South Indian International Movie Awards | 2016 | Best Film – Malayalam | Oppam | |
Asiavision Awards | 2013 | Best Popular Movie | Drishyam | |
Asiavision Awards | 2016 | Outstanding Movie of the Year | Oppam | |
Asianet Film Awards | 2000 | Best Film | Narasimham | |
Asianet Film Awards | 2012 | Most Popular Film | Spirit | |
Asianet Film Awards | 2013 | Best Film | Drishyam | |
Asianet Film Awards | 2013 | Most Popular Film | Drishyam | |
Asianet Film Awards | 2016 | Best Film | Oppam | |
Jaihind TV Awards | 2007 | Best Film | Paradesi | |
Kairali TV – World Malayali Council Film Award | 2009 | Best Film | Evidam Swargamanu |