How Prithviraj and Classmates beat 4 superstars to become Onam winner, cultural phenomenon

In the aftermath of Malayalam cinema's 2000s slump, director Lal Jose's Classmates (2006) took the Kerala audience back to simpler times, quickly becoming the Onam box office winner. The film, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kavya Madhavan, focused on a college reunion and proved that even simple stories could carry depth in Malayalam cinema.

While superstars Mammootty, Mohanlal, Dileep, and Suresh Gopi released their films around the same time, none could match Classmates' success, which earned Rs 24 crore. The movie's layered narrative, deep themes of friendship and politics, and strong performances resonated with audiences, sparking a nationwide wave of college reunions and nostalgia.