Key facts
- Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram, was released in cinemas on 22 February 2024, according to Wikipedia.
- The film grossed about ₹242 crore worldwide and was the first Malayalam film to cross ₹200 crore, according to Wikipedia.
- It is based on a 2006 incident in which Subhash fell into a fissure at the Guna Caves in Kodaikanal and was rescued by his friend Siju David (Kuttan).
- About 90% of the cave scenes were shot on a replica set built in a warehouse at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, according to Wikipedia.
- The film won ten Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, which Wikipedia describes as the most for any film.
The place: Manjummel
Manjummel lies on the Periyar next to Eloor, a short ride from Kalamassery across the industrial belt. Wikipedia describes it as a once-agricultural area whose produce went by boat to Ernakulam, later changed by the factories along the river. Its landmarks include the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church and St Joseph’s Hospital, described as Kerala’s first mission hospital, founded in 1887. For the longer story, see our Manjummel history and Manjummel and Pathalam guide.
The real story, 2006
During the Onam holidays of 2006, a group of friends from Manjummel took a trip to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. At the Guna Caves, so named after the 1991 Tamil film Gunaa was shot there, Subhash fell into a deep, narrow fissure. Local rescuers were reluctant to go down. His friend Siju David, known as Kuttan, volunteered to be lowered on a rope, reached Subhash at a depth of about 120 feet and brought him up. Wikipedia’s Guna Caves article calls it the only known rescue in which the victim was brought out alive; the caves had been linked to at least 16 deaths or disappearances. Siju David later received a bravery award; the film’s Wikipedia page names it as the Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Tamil film Gunaa shot at the caves, which take its name | Wikipedia: Guna Caves |
| Onam 2006 | Subhash falls into the fissure; rescued by Siju David | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 26 Jan 2023 | Filming begins in Kodaikanal | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 17 Jul 2023 | Filming ends after about 101 working days | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 22 Feb 2024 | Theatrical release | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 6 Apr 2024 | Telugu dubbed version released | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 5 May 2024 | Streaming release on Disney+ Hotstar | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 17 May 2024 | Kerala High Court stays proceedings for a month in a case filed at Marad police station against the producers | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 22 May 2024 | Ilaiyaraaja sends notice over use of “Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan” | Wikipedia: Manjummel Boys |
| 2024 | Road to the Guna Caves area reopened to the public; the cave entrance stays closed | Wikipedia: Guna Caves |
The film
Chidambaram (Chidambaram S. Poduval) wrote and directed the film, produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony under Parava Films. Soubin Shahir played Kuttan and Sreenath Bhasi played Subhash, with Deepak Parambol, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Khalid Rahman and others as the friends. Sushin Shyam composed the music. Filming ran from 26 January to 17 July 2023, in Kodaikanal, Palani, Kochi and Perumbavoor; most cave scenes were filmed on a replica built in a Perumbavoor warehouse, with some shots at the real caves.
Made for a reported ₹20 crore, the film grossed about ₹242 crore worldwide, including about ₹72 crore in Kerala and about ₹170 crore in the rest of India, a record for a Malayalam film. In Tamil Nadu it earned about ₹15 crore in its first eleven days, then the most for a Malayalam film there; the film repeatedly references Gunaa and its song “Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan”. It was the highest-grossing Malayalam film until L2: Empuraan (2025) passed it.
Disputes and debate
The film’s success brought scrutiny. According to Wikipedia, an investor alleged that he had put ₹7 crore into the production on a promise of a 40% profit share and received little back; Marad police registered a case against the three producers on charges including cheating and criminal conspiracy, and on 17 May 2024 the Kerala High Court stayed proceedings for a month. The composer Ilaiyaraaja sent a notice on 22 May 2024 over the unauthorised use of his song. The Tamil writer Jeyamohan criticised the film’s portrayal of Kerala tourists. We report these as allegations and positions; we did not find a final court ruling to report.
Why this history matters near the NAD signal
After 2024, “Manjummel” stopped being just a bus board name on the Eloor side of Kalamassery. Newcomers often ask where it is, and the answer is: close. From the NAD Road signal, Manjummel and Eloor are part of the same riverside neighbourhood covered in our Eloor guide and Eloor island history. Ashraf Gents Hostel, a men’s hostel and PG at Ashraf house, NAD Road, offers monthly and nightly stays; call +91 90746 23855 to confirm rates. For other film locations nearby, read Malayalam films shot around Kalamassery and Aluva, and see the archive hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manjummel Boys a true story?
Yes. It is based on a 2006 incident in which Subhash, from Manjummel near Kochi, fell into a fissure at the Guna Caves in Kodaikanal and was rescued by his friend Siju David.
Where is Manjummel?
On the Periyar next to Eloor, in Ernakulam district, a short ride from Kalamassery.
Was the film shot in the real caves?
Partly. About 90% of the cave scenes were shot on a replica set in a Perumbavoor warehouse, with some shots at the Guna Caves.
How much did the film earn?
About ₹242 crore worldwide, according to Wikipedia, making it the first Malayalam film to pass ₹200 crore.
Can visitors enter the Guna Caves now?
Wikipedia says the road to the area reopened in 2024 but the cave entrance remains closed for safety.
Related guides
Sources
Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed . How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.
Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Manjummel Boys (2024): How a Film Put a Kochi Suburb on the Map.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/manjummel-boys-film-effect-2024/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.