Retro melodies revive Mollywood: How vintage style songs are becoming storytelling tools

Malayalam cinema is revitalizing vintage songs, transforming them into narrative cornerstones. ‘Manjummel Boys’ masterfully used Ilaiyaraaja’s ‘Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan’ as a symbol of hope and friendship, sparking a cultural phenomenon. Following suit, ‘Kalamkaval’ employs original 80s-inspired Tamil melodies to create a dark, retro atmosphere, enhancing psychological tension and suspense.