Whenever I feel low and need something to pump me up there are a couple of Malayalam movies that I go back to. These movies make me feel like myself again and motivate me in many ways. I thought of sharing them with you today, in case you are looking for some inspiring and motivating Malayalam movies to cheer you up. Here’s my list of inspiring Malayalam movies that will life your mood instantly.

1.Bangalore Days (2015)

Bangalore Days is the story of three cousins and their struggle to find themselves in this messed-up world. They forget to think for themselves as they are heavily burdened with societal expectations and in the act of satisfying others. Aju, one of the three cousins, has already found his way and doesn’t care about what others think. Divya, Aju, and Kuttettan explore themselves and rise to be better versions of themselves.

2.Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam (2015)

A physical disability can render one extremely insecure, lowering their self-esteem. Sudhi Vathmeekam is one such person who was extremely insecure and cautious about his stammer. He is often ridiculed for the same, which hurts him deeply. After meeting Kalyani, a speech therapist, his life changes for the better. He learns to conquer his fears and feel confident about himself. His journey from a fumbling and underconfident young man to a confident bank manager is truly inspiring. For me, Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam is one of the best inspirational Malayalam movies ever. It teaches us to rise above our limitations and not let others decide what we are capable of.

3. How Old Are You? (2014)

For women, age is a decisive factor in our society. A woman’s age sets the benchmark for what she can achieve and dream of. How Old Are You attempts to break this notion through its female lead Nirupama (Manju Warrier), a 36-year-old government employee. Nirupama, who was once a smart, feisty woman, succumbed to the social norms after marriage, ending up unambitious and uninspired in her life. But destiny gives her one more chance and she responds to the awakening call, altering her life forever. We haven’t had enough motivational Malayalam films that place women in the center of the story.

I remember one of my high school teachers talking about How Old Are You and how she relates to the storyline. I could sense how she too, like Nirupama, was once a highly ambitious woman who was left with fewer options after marriage. But through Nirupama, she experienced her liberation.

4. Jacobinde Swargarajyam (2016)

Jacob, along with his wife and four kids was leading a delighted life in Dubai before his business partner cheated on him and pushed him into extreme debt. Jacob is forced to abscond leaving all the responsibilities on his elder son Jerry’s shoulder. The family starts from scratch to get back what they once had. Through this tough time, the family stays together and pulls each other up to success. What is truly inspiring is that the film is based on a real family who lost everything but rose back strongly and powerfully. We resonate with the family struggle. Jacobinde Swargarajyam showed me how with sheer determination one can overcome the most difficult situation that life throws at us.

5. 1983 (2014)

Rameshan is an ordinary man from a rural area who lost a possible bright future due to his obsession with the game of cricket. He flunks his exams and fails academically, leaving his parents extremely disappointed. Though a really good player, he never made anything out of himself in the field of cricket. But when he sees his son showing interest in the sport, he doesn’t hesitate even for a second to provide him with professional training so that his son could become what Rameshan never could be. The expense is beyond Rameshan’s capacity but he still manages to fund the training. Beating all the odds he helps his son to make it big in the sport. The film stars Nivin Pauly as Rameshan. 1983 is a motivational Malayalam movie that inspires you to dream bigger, regardless of where you come from.

6. Traffic (2011)

A girl’s life can be saved if they are successful in transporting the heart from Kochi to Palakkad, two districts that are miles apart. It is not an easy task as it requires controlling the traffic on the roads connecting these two districts. The pressure on the City Commissioner is real. Constable Sudevan, Dr. Abel, and Rajeev join the mission in securely transporting the heart. The entire mission is just so inspiring that you will shed tears of happiness at the victory. To see something next to impossible actually happening despite all the challenges is sure to give you goosebumps and is everything you need to get started. Every character, including the girl in need of the transplant, is in need of a win, and the film effectively captures all their struggles and challenges.

7. Uyare (2019)

Uyare is a film about an aspiring young pilot Pallavi who becomes the victim of an acid attack. But she does not let the incident decide her fate and with sheer determination and grit, she rises above it. Pallavi’s journey is truly inspiring and she becomes the flag bearer of courage. But nothing happens smoothly for Pallavi. Her dream of becoming a pilot gets thrown out of the window forever due to the accident while her perpetrator roams around freely. While she fights for justice, she also makes her dream of flying come true on the side.

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