Amala Paul says Malayalam cinema’s strength is its ‘guts’ to take creative risks

Picture Credit: Instagram

Malayalam actress Amala Paul recently talked about what makes Malayalam cinema different from other South Indian film industries. According to the actress, the willingness to take creative risks is one of the biggest strengths of the Mollywood industry.

Amala Paul praises Malayalam cinema

Speaking at the India Today South Conclave 2026 in Kochi on Tuesday, Amala said Malayalam films often focus on ordinary and rooted characters instead of relying on larger-than-life heroes.“Everybody naturally tends to have a male protagonist who is over the top, someone special. But in the Malayalam industry, you can see the most normal and rooted people who we see in our real life,” she said.The ‘Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life’ actress further shared that Malayalam cinema has historically allowed filmmakers and actors to move away from conventional ideas of what a hero or mainstream film should look like.

Amala Paul: ‘Malayalees really have the guts’

“If I had to answer in one word, I would say it’s the guts. Malayalees really have the guts, and I think we have always been like that, if we go back to the ’70s and ’80s,” she said.

Amala Paul says Malayalam has ‘no meter’ in acting

The ‘Aadai’ actress also spoke about the differences in acting styles across South Indian film industries. She said Tamil and Telugu cinema have their own acting conventions, which can change depending on the director and cultural setting.“In Tamil, there is an acting meter; in Telugu, the meter is different based on the director and the culture.

In Malayalam, there is no meter. You have to be the character, and there is no other way,” Amala said.

Amala Paul’s work front

Amala Paul has worked in both mainstream and unconventional Malayalam films throughout her career. Some of her notable projects include ‘Mili’, ‘The Teacher’, ‘Level Cross’ and much more.CShe was last seen in the 2024 psychological thriller-drama ‘Level Cross’.