: Her 2000 hit Kinnara Thumbikal grossed approximately ₹4 crore against a modest budget of ₹12 lakhs .

The late 80s and early 90s were a wild west for Malayalam cinema. While the mainstream was dominated by the Dileep -esque comedies and Mohanlal-Mammootty heavyweights, a parallel industry thrived in the shadows. Directors like P. Chandrakumar and Viji Thampi created a unique hybrid: Erotic thrillers with actual plotlines, social commentary, and surprisingly good music.

Written by the legendary P. Padmarajan and directed by Bharathan, this film is a masterpiece of the "coming-of-age" genre. It depicts the budding infatuation between a teenage boy and an older woman. Its focus on aesthetics and psychological depth sets it apart as a true vintage classic. 3. Inaye Thedi (1981)