Finally the D-Day is approaching, as Vishu will be celebrated all over Kerala on April 14. For the Malayalam film industry it is a crucial four day weekend, starting on Friday, April 11 with the release of Mohanlal's Sathyan Anthikad family entertainer Innathe Chinthavishayam, followed by Balachandra Menon directed comedy satire De Ingottu Nokiye on Saturday, April 12. And on Vishu day, April 14 Mammootty's mass masala entertainer directed by Anwar Rasheed Annan Thambi hits the screens.

2008 Vishu will determine the future of Malayalam cinema and the course it takes. The year so far has been bad, with only Cycle with newcomers racing to the finishing line at the Kerala box-office. Both the superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal have been going through a harrowing time, as their films have not been able to recover their investments from theatrical rights. More bad news is that the young crop of stars has not been able to attract the audiences.

Mohanlal needs a hit badly to keep his brand value at the Kerala box-office on par, while Mammootty has to once more prove that he is a safe bet. The trouble is that the cost of making a superstar film and releasing it has now touched the Rs 4 crore plus figure. Remember 85 percent of the total box-office take from Kerala theatrical rights come from the releasing stations, and if a film does not take an opening the producer is a dead duck!

What has been happening in Kerala is that the superstars have been losing their famous opening as they have not been able to sustain collections after the first or the second day. Though the superstars refuse to believe it, the fact is that earlier their films which used to have a terrific one week opening irrespective of the quality of the film are today crashing out on the second day of release! The writing on the wall is clear, stars alone cannot sustain a film for more than a day, it requires good content and presentation to click.

Mohanlal is back with Sathyan Anthikad, the man who understands him and has been constantly been able to provide the actor with challenges. Innathe Chintavishayam is the ideal vehicle for the star to make a comeback into the mind of his viewers especially the all important "ladies audiences", who are likely to make the film a hit. The songs of Ilayaraja are rocking the charts and Central Pictures, the distributors are aggressively marketing it.

Anwar Rashid is the man who has given Mammootty his biggest hit in his career Rajamanickam, and the team is now back with Annan Thambi another rollicking comedy with all mass masala items thrown in. The producer and distributor of the film Anto Joseph of Marakkar films are confident that Annan Thambi will break even and turn profitable from the releasing stations. Anto is taking a big gamble by releasing it big on 75 screens in Kerala, a daring feat.

The other Vishu release is Balachandra Menon'sDe Ingottu Nokiye in which Jagathy plays the lead along with Jayasurya, late Bharath Gopi, new girl Sara and Menon in a cameo. It is said to be a satire and a black comedy on Kerala politics. It can turn out to be the dark horse in the Vishu race.