Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is celebrating his 64^th birthday on May 21 and social media is filled with wishes from his industry colleagues, friends and fans. Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is currently working with him on Lucifer 2 shared a picture from the film sets to wish him. His fans are leaving no stones unturned to wish their favourite superstar on his birthday as they have been sharing photos and videos on X.

Mammootty shared a photograph with Mohanlal, which was taken at a recent film event. In the picture, the Bramayugam actor can be seen kissing Mohanlal on his cheek and wrote, Happy Birthday Dear Lal @Mohanlal.

Kamal Haasan took to X and wished Mohanlal on his birthday on May 21. He wrote, Lead man for 40 years among a very critical and discerning audience. 400 films? Some might exclaim in disbelief. He, on the contrary was looking forward to him beating Mr. Prem Nazir’s record of 500 films. On his birthday, that is his best wish to him. Haasan prayed for Mohanlal’s good health, and hoped the Malayalam superstar will break many more records.

Oscar-award winning sound designer Resul Pookutty wished Mohanlal on his birthday in a very sweet manner. He took to X and posted Happy Birthday to the one and only, a fascination of every Malayalees and that of every Indian cinema lovers…@Mohanlal #HappyBirthday.

Malayalam and Tamil actor Sshivada Nair shared a picture of the Malayalam superstar and wished him Happy birthday.

Screenwriter and subtitler Vivek Ranjit called Mohanlal wrote, Happy Birthday Magician! The greatest there was, the greatest there is, the greatest there ever will be. @Mohanlal #HappyBirthdayMohanlal #HappyBirthdayLaletta.

One Mohanlal fan wrote Happy Birthday to the man who made him fall in love with Cinema! He said Mohanlal always had a place in his heart and wished him Happy Birthday along with heart emojis.

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has made a dazzling debut at the prestigious 77th Cannes Film Festival, showcasing her breathtaking beauty. Adorned in a striking metallic gown, the Bollywood actor illuminated the iconic red carpet, where she represented a high-end vehicle brand.

The Race 3 actor gracefully grabbed the spotlight in a shimmering rose gold custom gown crafted by Mikael D Couture. Enhancing the ensemble, she adorned herself with earrings from the collection of exquisite Hassanzade Jewellery. She styled her hair with classic soft waves, completing the look with effortless elegance. 

Earlier, before leaving Mumbai to attend the red carpet, she said about her overwhelming sense of excitement as she eagerly awaited her return to the Cannes Film Festival this year, especially with the added thrill of partnering with BMW. She felt anticipation building within her as she looked forward to the event, cherishing the chance to showcase the rich cultural tapestry of the Southeast Asian diaspora on the world stage. Jacqueline expressed how it is a momentous occasion for her to grace the prestigious red carpet, a pathway walked by countless cinematic icons, and she feels deeply honoured by the opportunity.

The last time Jacqueline attended the film festival was in 2015 when she received an invitation from the Queen of Malaysia, marking her debut on the grand stage. Notably, during that visit, she also had the privilege of attending supermodel Naomi Campbell’s 45th birthday celebration aboard a private yacht, adding an extra touch of glamour to her Cannes experience.

Regarding her professional endeavours, Jacqueline was last seen 2023 action comedy film Selfiee directed by Raj Mehta.The film starred Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi, Diana Penty, Mrunal Thakur and Nushrat Bharucha. The actor is currently working on her latest project titled Fateh.

Meanwhile, this year, newbies Kiara Advani, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sobhita Dhulipala and Cannes veteran Aishwarya Rai also attended the prestigious film festival.

Malayalam film industry crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide, Bollywood and Telugu films are left struggling. The Malayalam film industry has surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore mark at the worldwide box office in 2024. This comes at a time when bigger industries like Bollywood and Telugu cinema are facing struggles with box office performance.

There have been a series of critically praised and commercially successful films this year. Movies like Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitam, and Aavesham, which reportedly grossed over Rs 240.94 crore, Rs 157.44 crore, and 153.52 crore worldwide, and Guruvayoorambala Nadayil resonated with audiences, resulting in a growing collection from January to April 2024, which reached Rs 985 crore.

Last year, Mathrubhumi further reported that the industry had witnessed a total global gross of about Rs 500 crore with the success of films like Kannur Squad, RDX, Neru, and Romancham. Malayalam cinema has so far contributed 20 percent of India’s total gross collection in 2024, while Bollywood has contributed only 38 percent.

Malayalam cinema has been mentioned for its fresh storylines and willingness to experiment with genres. Some critics argue that Bollywood films have become standard and repetitive, relying heavily on big stars and exaggerated song-and-dance sequences. Telugu cinema, too, has faced criticism for its focus on larger-than-life action movies and star power over strong scripts.

This achievement marks an important moment for Malayalam cinema. It highlights the industry’s ability to produce exciting content that resonates with audiences not only in India but also globally. While the reasons behind the struggles of Bollywood and Telugu cinema are complex and warrant further examination, the contrasting fortunes of these film industries paint an interesting picture of the current trends in Indian cinema. It remains to be seen if the big-budget film industries can adapt and recapture their audiences’ attention, or if Malayalam cinema can sustain its momentum at the box office.