'Kadha Parayumbol' tops Christmas releases in Kerala

By Paresh C. Palicha

Kochi, Dec 28 It is festival time and the Malayalam film industry has come out with its Christmas bonanza. This fortnight four new movies make it to the popular film list - "Kadha Parayumbol", "Romeo", "Kangaroo" and "Flash".

The top five Malayalam films are:

1. "Kadha Parayumbol" - We find Sreenivasan at his best in the film, both as a writer and an actor. He plays a barber, getting acquainted with a superstar who has come to shoot a film in his sleepy village. Directed by debutant M. Mohanan, the film, which has Mammootty in an extended cameo, has been received well.

2. "Romeo" - Writer Rafi Mecartin and director Rajasenan join hands to make a comic caper starring Dileep, where he has promised to marry three girls. This laugh-a-minute film has the early-bird advantage as it was released a week early to beat competition.

3. "Kangaroo" - Prithviraj becomes an autorickshaw driver who has to take care of a six-month-old baby. Directed by Raj Babu, the family drama is popular with the vacation crowd.

4. "Flash" - Director Siby Malayil and Mohanlal together have made some of the classics of Malayalam cinema, but this film is just a reworking of some old Mohanlal films.

5. "Chocolate" - Good days are here for Prithviraj. The light-hearted campus film, directed by Shafi, is still drawing huge crowds.

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