Manjummel Boys

Chidambaram is the writer and director of the 2024 Indian Malayalam-language survival thriller Manjummel Boys. Under Parava Films, Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony are the producers. Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman, and Shebin Benson are among the ensemble cast members that star in the movie. It is based on an actual 2006 incident. The movie centers on a group of friends who choose to take a holiday in Kodaikanal after one of them gets stuck in the Guna Caves. The companions are from a tiny town called Manjummel, which is close to Kochi.

On February 22, 2024, the movie was launched in theaters in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to positive reviews. It broke multiple box office records and became the first Malayalam film to make more than ₹200 crore. It also became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever, beating the record established by 2018. It became one of the 2024 highest-grossing Indian movies as well.

 

⚠ SPOIL ALERT ⚠

Movie-

            During the Onam holiday in 2006, ten friends from a Kochi-based arts club traveled to Kodaikanal in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. As they tour Kodaikanal, one of the pals, Sudhi, brings up the Guna Caves, the location of the film Gunaa's filming. Despite Dominic the tour guide's caution, the buddies go there while intoxicated and decide to explore the caves' forbidden parts. At a certain time, a group of buddies decides to etch the name "Manjummel Boys" on a wall.

They then make the decision to reassemble to snap a photo. One of the friends, Subhash, stumbles into a hole as he approaches the gathering. Everyone thinks he's playing a joke at first, but after they call out to him several times, he doesn't answer. A few pals head out to seek assistance and let the villagers know what occurred. The locals advise visiting the forest guard and police station.

The region was off-limits for a reason, according to the locals, and thirteen individuals have fallen into that pit so far with no one ever being found. The British dubbed the area The Devil's Kitchen, and they indicate that the hole is over 900 feet deep. After the companions are assaulted at the police station for entering a prohibited area, the police file a formal complaint against them. In addition, they're accused of killing Subhash, making up complaints, and receiving no assistance. In the meantime, the hole begins to fill with rain.

The police agree to assist them and send an officer to go with them to the cave after becoming persuaded and fearing criticism from the community for not helping. While traveling, he discloses that almost a decade prior, the nephew of the former Central Minister fell into the hole, and despite concerted efforts, all available resources were unable to save him. After looking down the hole, the police advise that they leave Subhash since it appears that he is dead, but the friends are determined to save him. Sixteen, one of the lads, hears the cries of Subhash. The police are persuaded to give it a shot to save him.

Additional police officers and the fire department are dispatched to the scene. Through his cries, they estimate that Subhash fell around 120 feet. They attempt to lower a rope for Subhash to grasp, but they don't think it will work and they're afraid to enter the hole to get him. Siju David (Kuttan), one of the friends, chooses to descend upon witnessing this. The townspeople and friends persuade the officers, who at first are reluctant, to accept. After Kuttan is dropped into the hole, his rope runs out, and the authorities believe it would be dangerous to descend any further due to possible low oxygen levels. Kuttan asserts that he is unable to leave Subhash and that he can hear his voice. More rope is arranged by the cops, who then further drag Kuttan down. Kuttan finds Subhash, covered in dirt and blood, lying on a ledge at a height of 120 feet.

After Kuttan brings him back, the other friends help them up. They bring Subhash to the hospital in their hometown after he receives first assistance from the closest clinic. After deciding to let them go, the cops caution them against trying anything similar again. They choose to inform Subhash's family that he fell in a waterfall while keeping the incident a secret from others. Subhash cannot sleep at first after the fall and has nightmares, but he begins to get better after attending trauma therapy. Later, someone who traveled to Tamil Nadu revealed that Kuttan had saved Subhash, and Kuttan was praised for his bravery. Kuttan received the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his deeds two years later.