Eko Malayalam Movie Box Office Triumph: ₹13 Cr Collection & The Final Roar of Bahul Ramesh’s Animal Trilogy
Eko’s Unstoppable Run: How the Malayalam Mystery Thriller Recovered Its Budget in 72 Hours and Concluded the Iconic ‘Animal Trilogy’
The Malayalam film industry, affectionately known as Mollywood, is currently witnessing another dark-horse success story with the phenomenal theatrical run of the mystery thriller, Ekō (stylized as ekō). Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan and written/shot by Bahul Ramesh, the film has not just struck a chord with critics but has also delivered a decisive box office victory, officially recovering its modest budget in a blistering 72 hours.
Released worldwide on November 21, 2025, Ekō is trending not only for its gripping narrative but for its commercial performance, cementing the winning streak of the creative team behind the 2024 hit Kishkindha Kaandam. As of the latest reports, the film has amassed a box office revenue exceeding ₹13.1 crore within its first eight days and is standing firmly on the boundary of a ‘hit’ verdict.
What makes this breaking news significant is the film’s dual achievement: a resounding financial success and its crucial role as the final, much-anticipated installment in Bahul Ramesh’s celebrated ‘Animal Trilogy’.
The Box Office Roar: A Superhit in the Making
Ekō proves once again that compelling storytelling, even with a mid-range budget, can lead to massive commercial success in Mollywood. The film was mounted on a controlled budget of approximately ₹5 crore. Astonishingly, it recovered its entire production cost in just three days, demonstrating immediate and powerful audience acceptance.
By its fifth day, Ekō had achieved an impressive 80% Return on Investment (ROI), prompting trade analysts to declare it on the verge of entering the list of profitable Malayalam films of 2025. The opening weekend showed a strong upward trajectory, beginning with ₹80 lakh on Friday, November 21, and climbing sharply to ₹1.85 crore on Saturday and a massive ₹3.05 crore on Sunday. This pattern highlights the power of positive word-of-mouth—a critical factor for mystery thrillers that rely on audience recommendation.
Furthermore, the film demonstrated remarkable stability during the weekdays, a key indicator of longevity. It recorded strong occupancy, particularly during evening and night shows, with late-evening crowds in Kerala driving occupancy up to 40.45% on Friday, November 28th, a full week after its release. The film’s continued collection, surpassing the ₹13.1 crore mark by its eighth day, positions it strongly for a blockbuster run, following the path set by its predecessor, Kishkindha Kaandam, which became one of the most profitable Malayalam films of 2024.
Behind the Success: Director and Writer Speak Out
The immediate success of Ekō is a major victory for the core creative team. In an interview published today, November 29, 2025, director Dinjith Ayyathan and cinematographer-scriptwriter Bahul Ramesh shared insights into the film’s making and the unexpected level of appreciation.
“I was confident that ekō would work at the box office, just like I was about Kishkindha Kaandam. But I had never expected this level of appreciation,” confessed Dinjith Ayyathan. The director’s confidence stemmed from the meticulous planning and the synergy with the team. Bahul Ramesh, who handled the scriptwriting and cinematography, mentioned that the dual role helped in visually executing the scenes efficiently while keeping logistical constraints in mind.
Notably, the success of their previous film, Kishkindha Kaandam, was a significant factor in the casting choice for the lead role. Ramesh revealed that initially, the plan was to cast an actor with significant star value. However, the confidence gained from their prior hit allowed them to move forward with Sandeep Pradeep, especially after receiving positive feedback on his work from other unreleased projects. Sandeep Pradeep, who plays the character Peeyos, has been critically praised for his performance, which is central to the film’s complex mystery.
Concluding the ‘Animal Trilogy’: Myth, Morality, and the Canine Element
The most compelling artistic narrative surrounding Ekō is its role as the third and final installment of Bahul Ramesh’s ambitious ‘Animal Trilogy’. This cinematic universe explores the intricate intersection of human morality, animal instincts, and regional folklore, with ‘animals’ often acting as a mirror or catalyst for conflict.
Ekō follows Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) and the web series Kerala Crime Files 2 (2025) in this thematically linked series. Ramesh explained that the concept of the trilogy was inspired by other noted cinematic trilogies, leading him to structure narratives where “Animals often become the bright patch in a conflict-ridden narrative”.
Set in the misty, isolated hills of Kaattukunnu, near the Kerala-Karnataka border, Ekō introduces viewers to strange chronicles centered around Kuriyachan—a businessman with a dark past—and the exotic breed of canines, reportedly from Malaysia, that he trains. The plot follows characters like the caretaker Peeyos (Sandeep Pradeep) and Mohan Pothan (Vineeth), who are drawn into a decades-long hunt shrouded in myth and vengeance.
The core of the film’s critical discussion revolves around its genre-bending nature, combining elements of action, adventure, fantasy, and a dense, mind-bending mystery. The non-linear narrative and the exploration of ancient secrets have led to widespread post-release discussions, culminating in numerous articles and social media threads attempting to ‘explain’ the ambiguous climax. This intense audience engagement through debate and analysis is a hallmark of a commercially and critically successful mystery thriller.
The International Echo
Ekō‘s success is not confined to Kerala alone. Following its domestic triumph, the film has secured an international release, with shows commencing in markets like Australia, confirming its status as a film resonating with the global Malayali diaspora. The strong international performance further bolsters its overall box office collection, proving that regional cinema with a tight, well-executed script has a universal appeal.
With a strong cast, led by Sandeep Pradeep and supported by veterans like Narain and Binu Pappu, and a celebrated technical crew, Ekō has successfully wrapped up the ‘Animal Trilogy’ with a flourish. Its immediate financial profitability and ongoing strong word-of-mouth cement the creative team’s reputation and signal a bright future for Malayalam cinema’s penchant for original, tightly-budgeted, yet high-concept thrillers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ‘Animal Trilogy’ and where does Ekō fit in?
The ‘Animal Trilogy’ is a thematic trilogy written by Bahul Ramesh that explores the intersection of animal instincts, human morality, and revenge narratives. Ekō is the third and final installment, following the films Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) and the web series Kerala Crime Files 2 (2025). While each is a standalone story, they share common thematic threads and a core creative team.
2. Who are the main cast members of the Ekō Malayalam movie?
The film features a talented ensemble cast, with Sandeep Pradeep leading the film in the role of Peeyos, the caretaker. Other prominent actors include Vineeth, Narain, Binu Pappu (as S.I. Sukumaran), and Biana Momin.
3. What is the reported box office collection and budget for Ekō?
Ekō was produced on a controlled budget of approximately ₹5 crore. The film has shown an exceptional run at the box office, recovering its entire budget in just 72 hours. By its eighth day of release (November 29, 2025), its total box office collection exceeded ₹13.1 crore, positioning it firmly as one of the profitable Malayalam films of the year.
4. When and where can I watch Ekō on OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming platforms?
As of the latest reports, Ekō is currently enjoying a strong and successful run in worldwide theatrical release, having premiered on November 21, 2025. While an official OTT partner and release date are typically announced several weeks after the theatrical run concludes, a major platform is expected to secure the streaming rights given the film’s success. Fans should monitor official announcements from Aaradyaa Studios and the director for the confirmed OTT release.
5. What genre is Ekō and what is its setting?
Ekō is primarily a mystery thriller that incorporates elements of adventure, fantasy, and drama. The film is set against the visually arresting and misty backdrop of Kaattukunnu, a fictional location in the Idukki district of Kerala, near the Kerala–Karnataka border. This setting is crucial to the film’s atmosphere, which blends myth and reality in its narrative.
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