Kaathal - The Core

Kaathal - The Core, directed by Jeo Baby, is a Malayalam family drama starring Mammootty as a married man running for local office. His wife Omana's (Jyothika) divorce filing brings his hidden homosexuality to light; the film explores the emotional complexity of that relationship without showing any intimate scenes. It stands out as the first mainstream Malayalam film addressing male homosexuality since India's Supreme Court decriminalized it in 2018; Mammootty, known for decades of masculine hero roles, taking on this part is widely seen as a bold move. Tickets for its screening at the International Film Festival of Kerala sold out within half an hour; the film won four awards including Best Film at the 54th Kerala State Film Awards. The film holds a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Who it's for: anyone curious about a star known for decades of masculine hero roles playing a closeted gay character in the first mainstream Malayalam film made after homosexuality's decriminalization. Who it's not for: viewers expecting intimate scenes, since the film focuses on the relationship's emotional dimension without showing any.