New Delhi: Mamitha Baiju has become the only Indian actress to clock a commercial streak of Rs 200 crore films in a year.
Following the success of Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan and Suriya’s Vishwanath and Sons, Baiju’s latest release, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, has joined the Rs 200-crore club in just 11 days. According to industry reports, the Girish AD-directorial romcom has grossed around Rs 205 crore worldwide.
The achievement stands out especially because Baiju is fairly young in the Malayalam industry. She made her acting debut in 2017 with Sarvopari Palakkaran and built her filmography through films such as Operation Java (2021), Kho Kho (2021), Super Sharanya (2022), and Pranaya Vilasam (2023).
It was Premalu in 2024 that turned Baiju into a breakout star. The film was a hit and is now being adapted by Bollywood in the upcoming film, Prem Keetanu. Her performance as Reenu earned widespread attention. The following year, she also branched out into Tamil cinema with Dude, which crossed Rs 100 crore worldwide.
The new ‘M’
This has been nothing short of a dream run for Baiju. Jana Nayagan, Vijay’s final film, crossed Rs 300 crore worldwide during its theatrical run. In the film, Baiju plays Vijayalakshmi, the foster daughter of Vijay’s character.
She was also seen opposite Suriya in Vishwanath and Sons, directed by Venky Atluri. The Tamil-Telugu bilingual drama crossed the Rs 200-crore mark during its theatrical run.
Baiju played Selli in the Dhanush-starrer Kara. The film reportedly ended its theatrical run at around Rs 50 crore worldwide.
Baiju’s rise, especially in the last couple of months, has been so rapid that she is increasingly being discussed as one of the most commercially successful woman actors in South Indian cinema.
Some reports have even begun referring to her as the new ‘M’, drawing comparisons with the initials associated with Malayalam cinema stalwarts Mohanlal and Mammootty.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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