The Rise and the Rift: The Story of Manjummel Boys.

The Rise and the Rift: The Story of Manjummel Boys. 

When a film made on a modest budget becomes a phenomenon, it’s not just box-office headlines—it becomes a landmark. The Malayalam survival thriller Manjummel Boys is one such case. Written and directed by Chidambaram S. Poduval and produced by Soubin Shahir (among others), the film was reportedly made on a budget of around ₹20 crore and went on to gross an estimated ₹240+ crore worldwide. 
However, this meteoric rise has been shadowed by allegations of financial wrongdoing, investment disputes and legal battles that now threaten the sheen of the blockbuster. In this blog, we’ll unpack the journey, the success, and the controversy.

What made the film a hit

1. Story & premise
The film is based on a real-life incident involving a trip gone wrong at the forbidden caves near Kodaikanal (the famed “Guna Caves”).  It combines elements of survival thriller + friendship + strong local flavour, which resonated with audiences.

2. Budget vs returns

• Budget: Approx. ₹20 crore. 

• Box office: Somewhere around ₹240.5 crore worldwide. 
  That kind of return is extraordinary for a regional film without megastars leading the cast.

3. Critical acclaim & awards
The film reportedly bagged multiple honours at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards (including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay). 

4. Word-of-mouth + distribution
Strong domestic run + expansion into other regions helped escalate the numbers. According to sources, Tamil-Nadu contributed significantly since part of the story resonates in Tamil. 

In short: the perfect storm of a modest budget, strong story, good execution and wide release

The flip side: Legal and financial troubles

Here’s where the story takes a turn.

1. Investor claims & profit-sharing dispute
An investor (Siraj Valiyathara (Hameed)) claims he invested around ₹7 crore in the film with an agreement to receive a share of the profits. He alleges that despite the film’s huge success, he got no or insufficient returns.

2. Allegations of cheating, forgery
A police investigation reported that the production cost was ₹18.65 crore while filmmakers disclosed it as ₹22 crore—raising suspicion of fraudulent accounting. 
Criminal complaints include charges of cheating and breach of trust. 

3. Legal proceedings
The Kerala High Court refused to quash the case filed against the producers, indicating that there is “a cognizable offence” to be investigated. 
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed by police to probe further.

4. Reputation at stake
For a film lauded for being a “content triumph”, this turn of events puts its legacy under question: success… tainted by dispute.

Why this matters for the industry

• Transparency in film financing: The case highlights the murky side of film investments where contracts, profit-sharing, and accounting may not always be clear.

• Return of investors: When a film does well, the share of each stakeholder becomes crucial. Disputes can damage trust and deter future investments.

• Impact on regional cinema: This is a success story for Malayalam cinema — but controversies like this could overshadow that narrative and affect reputation.

• Audience perception: What began as a feel-good story of a home-grown hit may now carry the caveat of “but did they pay everyone fairly?”

Final thoughts

The story of Manjummel Boys is rich and multifaceted: inspiration + success + controversy. It reminds us that the glamour of cinema is only one half of the narrative — the business side, the legal side, the human side matter just as much.
For the makers, it will be a matter of clearing their names and ensuring that those who believed in the film (including investors) are treated fairly. For the industry, it’s a reminder that hits come with responsibilities.