How Tovino Thomas' Real Kerala Story '2018' Revived Malayalam Cinema & Broke Records

Released alongside Adah Sharma starrer The Kerala Story, Malayalam film 2018 - Everyone Is A Hero opened to low response but over the weekend thanks to strong critical response and word of mouth turned out to be the saviour of sorts of Malayalam cinema.

Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, the disaster film is based on the 2018 Kerala floods and features an ensemble cast led by Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Aparna Balamurali among others.

Malayalam box office was struggling to deliver success with many films failing to attract the audience but 2018 not only revived Mollywood box office but is now also on course to be amongst the biggest hits of the industry.

Reportedly, the film opened to Rs 1.85 crore in Kerala and witnessed solid growth over its opening weekend collecting Rs 3.22 crore on day 2 and Rs 4.1 crore on day 3 taking its 3-day total to Rs 9.17 crore.

That’s not all, the film collected in the same range as Sunday on day 4 which was its first weekday collecting Rs 4 crore and taking its 4-day total to Rs 13.17 crore, domestically.

Taking into account its overseas box office as well, 2018 has collected a solid Rs 32+ crore in 4 days. Now, looking at the strong box office hold of the film, the trade is hopeful that it might become the third film in the history of Malayalam cinema to hit Rs 100 crore worldwide.

So far, only two films have achieved the feat - Mohanlal starrers Pulimurugan (2016) and Lucifer (2019).

2018 - Everyone Is A Hero is now expected to end its week one in India at Rs 20+ crore biz.

Amid the hit response to the controversial The Kerala Story which has also received a lot of criticism as well, many people on social media are terming 2018 - Everyone Is A Hero as the “Real” Kerala Story and urging others to watch it in theatres.

Check out some of the responses below:

After turning out to be a huge money-spinner in Malayalam, the Hindi version of 'The Real Kerala Story' #2018Movie is set to release on May 12. @ttovino pic.twitter.com/Qob78HQK3e

— George ?? (@georgeviews) May 10, 2023

The Real Kerala Story ??❤️❤️ #TheKeralaStory #2018Movie pic.twitter.com/FWcDpaZ2vS

— Unni Rajendran (@unnirajendran_) May 5, 2023

Hope, love and togetherness always wins over hatred, hostility and divisiveness. #2018Movie - The REAL Kerala story!
Mighty proud to be a part of history!
Congratulations Jude Anthany Joseph and the entire team! pic.twitter.com/PdQHydafY0

— Vivek Ranjit (@vivekranjit) May 5, 2023

This movie will show you how entire Kerala and its people fought against a disaster. This will show you how we faced that disaster with courage, humanity and responsibility. This is our real Kerala Story!! #KeralaStory #TheKeralaStory #2018Movie pic.twitter.com/oTfAA5YqZO

— Melo (@MeloSpeaking) May 2, 2023

Hearing Wonderful Reports for this 'Real Kerala Story' ?❤️
Congratulations to @ttovino, @AjuVarghesee #AsifAli #KunchakoBoban, #Jude and all the crew members of #2018Movie ..

Let us show the spirit of us to the world ? pic.twitter.com/kEueHeDGKY

— Mohanlal Fans Club (@MohanlalMFC) May 7, 2023

For everyone who wants to know what is in the kerala story
I suggest you watch the real kerala story #2018Movie #2018film #2018themovie #TheRealKeralaStory #TheRealKeralaStory2018 pic.twitter.com/mhDH8XZmFc

— khaleel rahman (@khaleelrahmansb) May 5, 2023

2018 movie running sucseesfully❤❤

The real kerala story? #2018Movie #AsifAli #tovino #kynchackoboban pic.twitter.com/E6b9aNoBW1

— AR Entertainment (@ARMedia28524249) May 7, 2023

#2018 #2018Movie
The *Real* Kerala Story ♥️
Each & every characters were ?⚡ @ttovino & Asif ali ❤‍?
Narein & Lal intro ⚡
The wonder is how they have made this ?
Visuals and Bgms??
A must must watchhhh filmm? pic.twitter.com/6s3XHh9pcq

— Vyshnav k (@k_vyshnavk) May 6, 2023

Thank you Jude Anthany Joseph ??❤️

The REAL Kerala Story #2018Movie sets the Boxoffice on fire ?? pic.twitter.com/DIJ0xbGOVY

— Kerala Trends (@KeralaTrends2) May 5, 2023

On May 12, 2018 - Everyone Is A Hero will see a dubbed Hindi release hoping to attract the North Indian audience in theatres as well.