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        Move over Telugu remakes. The Kollywood is now swayed by the blockbuster Malayalams movies. On the back of Malayalam heroines making a beeline to Tamil filmdom, it is now the turn of Malayalam films to be made in Tamil. Critically acclaimed for their portrayal of realism, Malayalam movies strike an instant chord with lovers of cinema. However, in the recent past, with the onslaught of Tamil and Telugu movies, the Malayalam industry has veered towards commercial entertainers, say critics in Kerala.

        Moreover, it seems to have yielded them the desired results. Such movies are turning out to be money-spinners. And, directors and producers in Tamil and Telugu film industries have started to evince keen interest to remake such genre of films. Currently, a few hit Malayalam films are being remade in Tamil and Telugu.

        Remember CID Moosa. It was a comedy and successful one too, featuring Dileep in the lead role. It is being remade as Cheena Thana 001 in Tamil. Five Star fame Prasanna plays the hero with Vadivelu giving him company. T P Gajendran is directing the movie.

        Actor-director Sundar C is currently acting in the remake of Spatikam. The Malayalam version featured Mohanlal in the lead. An overtly strict father forces Mohanlal to grow into a thug. Whether the father and son reconcile in the end forms the rest of the story. The Tamil version is being directed by Sundar C's assistant Badri. Gopika plays the female lead. Ajit is currently shooting for Kireedom, a movie said to be inspired by the 1980s hit of the same name featuring Mohanlal. Prakashraj is all set to churn out Vellithirai, a move inspired by blockbuster Malayalam movie Udhayanu Tharom. The hilarious entertainer was all about an aspiring assistant director.

        Sarath Kumar, who is nursing political ambitions, has opted to remake Dileep starrer Lion. The plot is of a youth who ends up as a successful politician. Director Vinayan's Malayalam hit Albutha Dweepu, a movie on dwarfs, was dubbed and released in Tamil as Arputha Theevu. It managed to get the children hooked. A mad rush is on among the Tamil producers to get the rights of Mohanlal's Vishu hit Chotta Mumbai.

        Why opt for Malayalam remakes? Says a senior director, 'it is a safe bet. There is a craze for Malayalam movies since they have a better storyline and economical to remake. Also compared to Hindi and Telugu films, the percentage of Malayalam films releasing in Tamilnadu is marginal. Or has the imagination gone dry among the Tamil creators?

        Nothing of that seems to be the consensus. Former National award winning actress Archana, says, ' the imagination has not run dry in Tamil cinema. Movies like Paruthiveeran and Mozhi are classic examples. A good movie in any language will be a hit.' Echoing the same feeling, director Seeman says, 'those were the days when Tamil movies were made in Malayalam. Now it is the other way round. Art and entertainment knows no barriers.'