Malayalam cinema not only makes films for committed couples and singles, but also makes well-crafted films that celebrate unrequited love. If you are wondering which love stories to watch, here is a list of Malayalam movies that you can stream online.
5 Malayalam movies on OTT to understand unrequited love
1. Mayanadhi (2017)
- Mould: Tovino Thomas, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Leona Lishoy, Harish Uthaman, Ilavarasu, Jayakumar, Nizhalgal Ravi, Darshan Rajendran
- Director: Aashiq Abu
- Style: romantic drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes
- Where to watch: sunnxt
Have you ever been in love with someone who you couldn’t let go of, even after years of being apart? To love someone without expecting anything in return? Then Mayanadhi is definitely a movie you must watch.
The film tells the story of an orphan John Mathew alias Mathan, who works with a group of thugs and manages to escape before the police catch him. After escaping, Mathan returns to Kochi in hopes of reuniting with his former lover, Aparna alias Appu, an aspiring actress who still has feelings for him.
What follows is a sad tale of lost love and whether two lonely souls can overcome their circumstances and be reunited.
2. Premam (2015)
- Mould: Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian, Anupama Parameswaran, Shabarish Verma, Krishna Shankar
- Director: Alphonse Puthren
- Style: Coming of Age Romantic Comedy Drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes
- Where to watch: jiohotstar
When talking about unrequited love stories, how can one leave out Premam, the film that cemented Nivin Pauly’s image as a beloved entertainer? The film tells the story of George and his various stages of love at different stages of his life.
Although his first love during school days was innocent and heartfelt, it was never fully realized. Years later, her love for her visiting professor, Malar, also turns into a one-sided story when she loses her memory after an accident.
3. Thattathin Marayathu (2012)
- Mould: Nivin Pauly, Isha Talwar, Aju Varghese, Srinivasan, Manoj K. Jayan, Aparna Nair, Ahmed Siddiqui, Bhagat Manuel, Deepak Parambol
- Director: Vineet Srinivasan
- Style: musical romantic drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
- Where to watch: sunnxt
A classic of the 2010s in Malayalam cinema, Thattathin Marayathu beautifully captures the essence of expressing unrequited love and romance without expecting anything in return.
The film centers on a young man named Vinod who tells the story of a love that changes his life forever. In Thalassery town, he falls in love with Ayesha after seeing her at his friend’s wedding. Despite the difference in their backgrounds and circumstances, Vinod pursues her in the hope of a chance at love.
4. Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015)
- Mould: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Tovino Thomas, Bala, Saikumar, Shashi Kumar, Lena, Sudhir Karamana, Shivaji Guruvayur, Sudheesh
- Director: RS Vimal
- Style: biographical romantic drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 46 minutes
- Where to watch: jiohotstar
Ennu Ninte Moideen is a romantic drama that celebrates the eternal love of two individuals who could never be united in real life. This story tells the story of a man who loves deeply despite knowing that he may never get that love back.
Set between the 1960s and 1970s, the film centers on Moideen and Kanchanamala, two people from different backgrounds who fall in love. Although they are deeply devoted to each other, family resistance prevents them from uniting, so much so that they refuse to go.
Amidst this story, Panakkaparambil Appu also loves Kanchanamala and wants to live with her. However, since her heart belongs to Moideen, the film becomes the story of not just one but many unfulfilled loves.
5. Thuvanathumbikal
- Mould: Mohanlal, Sumalatha, Parvati Jayaram, Ashokan, Babu Namboothiri, Srinath, Sukumari, Jagathi Sreekumar
- Director: P. Padmarajan
- Style: romantic drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 31 minutes
- Where to watch: Prime Video India/JioHotstar
Thoovanthumbikal is a romantic drama that explores the life of Jayakrishnan, a man who lives two contrasting lifestyles. Although initially indifferent to love, he meets Clara, an adult industry worker, and spends a night with her. While living together they develop deep feelings for each other.
However, Clara leaves him, and Jayakrishnan clings to hope of building a life with her. Whether his feelings are fulfilled is the emotional core of the film.
These Malayalam movies beautifully tackle the theme of unrequited love, portraying its pain, longing and emotional depth in different ways.
Also read: 4 Tamil and Telugu movies to watch on OTT this week: Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimayil to Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu