The lack of notable releases in Tamil has driven theatre owners to opt for re-releases as there is no support from small-budget films except a very few since the beginning of this year. Meanwhile, new Malayalam films have taken a stronghold at the Tamil Nadu box office.

Three Malayalam films - Mammootty's dark horror 'Bramayugam', Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Basi's survival thriller 'Manjummel Boys' and Mamitha Baiju's rom-com 'Premalu' are leading the Tamil Nadu box office currently. Out of the three films, two have attained blockbuster status without any huge star, big director or big budget. This has created waves in the film industry.

'Premalu', a feel-good rom-com drama, has grossed more than 70 crores in three weeks across the world. 'Manjummel Boys', a survival thriller set in Kodaikanal based on a true story, collected more than 50 crores in its opening weekend. Mammootty's 'Bramayugam' is a unique horror film, giving the superstar a new avatar. The highly acclaimed film has grossed more than 30 crores in two weeks.