During an economic crisis in the early 2000s, "Shakeela films" became essential for the survival of many small-scale producers and theatre owners.
: Her films were produced on shoestring budgets but yielded massive box-office returns. For instance, the 2000 film Kinnarathumbikal cost roughly ₹1.2 million to make but grossed nearly ₹40 million. malayalam blue film shakeela