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Real-Life Based Malayalam Movies On OTT: Several real-life based stories have been adapted into Malayalam movies, which have also been well-received on the big screen. Basil Joseph's Ponman to Mohanlal's Thudarum made and number of others are some of the movies inspired by actual occurences. 

Due to its real-life inspiration, Malayalam movie like Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life for example which debuted in 2024, struck a strong chord with both critics and viewers. The power of these content-rich cinema is to captivate people just through narrative. 

Also Read - Upcoming Malayalam OTT Releases In May 2025: Watch Thudarum, Maranamass, Puzhu And More On Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, SonyLIV And More

Thudarum
Where to watch: JioHotstar (Report)

Thudarum's very human tale makes it stand out. It's honesty, the weight of silence, and the deep beauty of a life unravelling that captivate you without resorting to intense drama or action-packed scenes. Although Thudarum is neither a literal adaptation of a real person's entire life nor a recorded event, it is greatly influenced by a genuine moment—a brief, silent encounter.

The Malayalam filmmaker and documentary photographer K R Sunil saw a man by himself outside the Kodungallur police station about twelve years ago.

Rekhachithram
Where to watch: SonyLIV

The state was rocked in the late 1990s by the notorious Sister Abhaya case, which involved a young nun whose death was first deemed a suicide before authorities discovered disturbing evidence that suggested foul play. The director Jofin T. Chacko has skillfully constructed a story that explores the intricacies of criminal activity, faith, and human conduct. The picture has a disconcerting authenticity because of his painstaking attention to detail, which includes a faint shadow on a stained glass window and a rosary held too firmly.

No single incident serves as the direct basis for Rekhachithram. However, it draws inspiration from the collective awareness of a society that has seen justice postponed, secrets revealed, and faith put to the test.

Ponman
Where to watch: JioHotstar

Ponman's plot is inspired by G.R. Indugopan's well-known book Naalanchu Cheruppakar. The journey of friends who were close to both the novel's author and the film's director is chronicled in Ponman. Jyothish's hometown of Kollam serves as the backdrop for the story.

The Basil Joseph film draws heavily from the social environment in addition to personal experiences, particularly when it comes to addressing social ills that have damaged the cultural fabric of many regions.

Vadakkan
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

The origin of Vadakkan lies in Malabari tradition. The story begins with contestants in a reality TV competition being brought to an abandoned, haunted house that is controlled by a malevolent deity.  A great adventure is transformed into a scary encounter by the contestants' unexpected deaths.

The truth reveals something much darker than the official explanation of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is what killed them. Working under the Vatican's orders, a paranormal investigator from Helsinki is sent to Kerala to unearth the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.

Also Read - 7 New Malayalam Movies You Can't Miss On OTT: L2 Empuraan, Get Set Baby, Mad Square And More

Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life

Where to watch: Netflix

Aadujeevitham is a powerful version of Benyamin's best-selling Malayalam book. The film's emotional core is derived from the true story of Najeeb Muhammad, a Malayali migrant labourer who was enslaved in Saudi Arabia's deserts in the 1990s. Najeeb was tricked into living in near seclusion while herding goats and camels in cruel and brutal conditions after being promised a better profession.