Wayanad landslides: Malayalam film industry to delay major releases, events

As 158 people have been killed and over 200 are injured after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala, the Malayalam film industry has postponed major events and movie releases planned for this week.

The makers of the thriller drama 'Footage', directed by Saiju Sreedharan and starring Manju Warrier in the lead role, have postponed the release of their film. It will no longer be released on August 2, its scheduled release date.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Wayanad who are trembling in the torrential rains and landslides. The release of our film Footage, which was scheduled for August 2, has been postponed to another day," the makers wrote on social media. The film also stars Vishak Nair and Gayathri Ashok in lead roles.

Additionally, the makers of 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam', a film starring Tovino Thomas in the lead role, have postponed an important announcement regarding the film to mourn the victims of the Wayanad landslides.

Rescheduling the announcement, the makers wrote on social media on Tuesday, July



30, "In the context of the great disaster that occurred in Wayanad, as a mark of mourning, the announcement of our movie update, which was scheduled for today at 5:00 PM, has been postponed to another day."

The organisers of the 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) also suspended all official events on Tuesday. While scheduled activities such as seminars, Meet the Director sessions, face-to-face discussions, and In Conversation events were cancelled, film screenings continued as planned. The winners will receive their awards, but there will be no official ceremony.

According to OnManorama, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has called off the press conference for the forthcoming Entertainment Awards night, which was scheduled to be held in collaboration with the Kerala Producers Association.

Meanwhile, actors like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kamal Haasan, and Rashmika Mandanna have mourned the victims of the tragedy. Rashmika wrote on Instagram, "I saw this and it broke my heart. I am so sorry. This is terrible! Prayers to the families (sic)."