Six must-watch Malayalam movies on OTT if you loved Bethlehem Kudumba Unit: Premalu to Ohm Shanti Oshaana

Two weeks after its release, we went for a late-night show of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit and, surprisingly, the theatre was houseful on a weekday. That pretty much summed up the craze around Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju's romantic comedy. The film has continued its strong run at the box office and has now achieved a major milestone, becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. It has surpassed recent blockbusters including Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Thudarum and L2: Empuraan.

If you enjoyed Bethlehem Kudumba Unit for its romance, humour, moments and chemistry, there are several Malayalam films on OTT that can give you a similar feel. From Gen-Z romance to old-school love stories, here are six movies to add to your watchlist.

Premalu - JioHotstar


If the youthful romance and comedy in Bethlehem Kudumba Unit worked for you, Premalu is an easy recommendation. Directed by Girish A.D., the 2024 romantic comedy follows Sachin, played by Naslen K. Gafoor, who moves to Hyderabad and falls for Reenu, played by Mamitha Baiju. The film also features Sangeeth Prathap and Shyam Mohan and became a huge commercial success with its relatable humour, awkward romance and memorable characters.

The story keeps things light without making the romance feel overly dramatic. It makes Premalu a fun weekend watch.

Ohm Shanti Oshaana - JioHotstar

For viewers looking for another Nivin Pauly film, Ohm Shanti Oshaana is a perfect throwback. Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, the 2014 romantic comedy follows Pooja Mathew, played by Nazriya Nazim, as she grows up and finds herself falling for Giri, played by Nivin Pauly.

The cast also includes Vineeth Sreenivasan, Renji Panicker and Aju Varghese. Told largely from Pooja's perspective, the film brings together romance, comedy and family emotions. Nazriya's lively performance and the film's breezy storytelling have helped it remain a favourite among Malayalam cinema fans.

Thanneer Mathin Dinangal - Prime Video

Want something that takes you back to school days? Thanneer Mathin Dinangal is worth adding to the list. Directed by Girish A.D., the 2019 coming-of-age romantic comedy follows Jaison, played by Mathew Thomas, as he deals with teenage crushes, friendships and the usual complications of school life.

Anaswara Rajan plays Keerthy, while Vineeth Sreenivasan plays Ravi Sir, a teacher who gets involved in Jaison's increasingly complicated life. The film became a sleeper hit.

Premam - JioHotstar

No Malayalam romance list feels complete without Premam. Alphonse Puthren's 2015 film follows George David, played by Nivin Pauly, through three stages of his romantic life.

The film stars Anupama Parameswaran, Sai Pallavi and Madonna Sebastian as the three women who become important parts of George's journey. Soubin Shahir, Vinay Forrt and Krishna Shankar are also part of the cast.

From first love and college romance to adulthood, Premam explores how people change as they grow older. Its music, performances and emotional moments turned it into a cult favourite.

Thattathin Marayathu - Sun NXT

For those who prefer a simple love story, Thattathin Marayathu is another strong pick. Written and directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, the 2012 romantic musical stars Nivin Pauly as Vinod and Isha Talwar as Aisha.

The story follows Vinod, a Hindu man, who falls for Aisha, a Muslim woman from an influential family. Their relationship faces opposition because of religious and family differences. With its memorable songs, scenic locations and emotional romance, the film became a major Malayalam hit.

Salt N' Pepper - Prime Video

If food, comedy and romance are your favourite combination, Salt N' Pepper should be on your list. Directed by Aashiq Abu, the 2011 romantic comedy stars Lal, Shweta Menon, Asif Ali and Mythili.

The story revolves around Kalidasan and Maya, two food lovers who begin talking after a wrong-number phone call. Their connection gradually turns romantic, but things become complicated when younger people are sent to meet on their behalf.

Meanwhile, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit continues its impressive box-office journey. According to Sacnilk, the film had earned ₹304.95 crore worldwide by the end of Sunday. It has therefore moved ahead of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, which reportedly earned around ₹302 crore, as well as Mohanlal's L2: Empuraan and Thudarum.