Manorathangal S01
Director: Nine episodes directed individually by Priyadarshan, Ranjith, Mahesh Narayanan, Shyamaprasad, Jayaraj, Santosh Sivan, Aswathy V. Nair, Ratheesh Ambat; all episodes based on short stories by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and presented by Kamal Haasan
Cast: Ensemble includes Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Biju Menon, Nedumudi Venu, Indrajith Sukumaran, Aparna Balamurali, Asif Ali, Durga Krishna among others
Manorathangal – Season 1 is a Malayalam-language anthology of nine standalone stories written by the revered author M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Premiered on August 15, 2024 (also the author’s birthday), the series unfolds across nine episodes (approx. 45 minutes each), directed by acclaimed filmmakers including Priyadarshan, Ranjith, Mahesh Narayanan, and more, and narrated by Kamal Haasan—who introduces each chapter with warm context. ZEE5Scroll.inNews18
The ensemble cast reads like a roll call of Malayalam cinema legends: Mohanlal stars in Olavum Theeravum, delivering poignant simplicity as a boatman facing impossible choices; Mammootty headlines Kadugannava: Oru Yathra Kurippu as a journalist grappling with familial and cultural displacement. Parvathy Thiruvothu anchors Kazhcha with one of her most sensitive performances, earning high praise, while Fahadh Faasil shines in Sherlock, a portrayal of alienation and identity with subtle emotional depth. Other highlights include Shilalikhitham (Biju Menon), Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam (Nedumudi Venu), Kadalkkaattu (Indrajith Sukumaran), and Vilpana (Asif Ali, Madhoo). The Times of India+7Hindustan Times+7ZEE5+7
Thematically, each episode delves into human contradiction—love and betrayal, belonging and estrangement, faith and regret—presented through poetic realism. While some segments like Sherlock, Kazhcha, and Kadugannava are widely recognized for emotional resonance and narrative clarity, others received criticism for pacing issues, dated structure, or uneven adaptation fidelity. The Hinduntvenglish.comScroll.in
Audience feedback on Reddit reflects mixed reactions: standout episodes earn glowing reviews (Parvathy’s Kazhcha, Fahadh’s Sherlock), while several segments—particularly Vilpana and Abhayam Theedivendum—were viewed as flat or poorly paced. ZEE5+4Reddit+4The Hindu+4
Despite its unevenness, Manorathangal achieved impressive viewer traction—surpassing 100 million streaming minutes in its first ten days—demonstrating both the enduring appeal of M. T. Vasudevan Nair’s literary legacy and the rich emotional potential of Malayalam storytelling.
Manorathangal – Season 1 is a Malayalam-language anthology of nine standalone stories written by the revered author M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Premiered on August 15, 2024 (also the author’s birthday), the series unfolds across nine episodes (approx. 45 minutes each), directed by acclaimed filmmakers including Priyadarshan, Ranjith, Mahesh Narayanan, and more, and narrated by Kamal Haasan—who introduces each chapter with warm context. ZEE5Scroll.inNews18
The ensemble cast reads like a roll call of Malayalam cinema legends: Mohanlal stars in Olavum Theeravum, delivering poignant simplicity as a boatman facing impossible choices; Mammootty headlines Kadugannava: Oru Yathra Kurippu as a journalist grappling with familial and cultural displacement. Parvathy Thiruvothu anchors Kazhcha with one of her most sensitive performances, earning high praise, while Fahadh Faasil shines in Sherlock, a portrayal of alienation and identity with subtle emotional depth. Other highlights include Shilalikhitham (Biju Menon), Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam (Nedumudi Venu), Kadalkkaattu (Indrajith Sukumaran), and Vilpana (Asif Ali, Madhoo). The Times of India+7Hindustan Times+7ZEE5+7
Thematically, each episode delves into human contradiction—love and betrayal, belonging and estrangement, faith and regret—presented through poetic realism. While some segments like Sherlock, Kazhcha, and Kadugannava are widely recognized for emotional resonance and narrative clarity, others received criticism for pacing issues, dated structure, or uneven adaptation fidelity. The Hinduntvenglish.comScroll.in
Audience feedback on Reddit reflects mixed reactions: standout episodes earn glowing reviews (Parvathy’s Kazhcha, Fahadh’s Sherlock), while several segments—particularly Vilpana and Abhayam Theedivendum—were viewed as flat or poorly paced. ZEE5+4Reddit+4The Hindu+4
Despite its unevenness, Manorathangal achieved impressive viewer traction—surpassing 100 million streaming minutes in its first ten days—demonstrating both the enduring appeal of M. T. Vasudevan Nair’s literary legacy and the rich emotional potential of Malayalam storytelling.