Ullozhukku

The film Ullozhukku serves as evidence that any film may achieve great heights at any point in time with the right cast, director, and screenplay. Among the female characters in the movie is Urvashi, who has long been regarded as one of the best artists. This movie still reflects that recognition. Along with showcasing her acting talent, Parvathy has a compelling character. Every scene in the movie seems believable due to the plot and setting. It's amazing how the filmmaker finished the movie without breaking the scene's flow or omitting even a tiny bit of emotion. The fact is that when great stories are brought to life on the entertainment stage-which is what's referred to as cinema-with the aid of a screenplay, film also gains the important distinction of being a good art form.

Ullozhukku, written and directed by Christo Tomy, offers a raw and sincere take on human vulnerabilities and their long-lasting undercurrents. All it takes is a solid screenplay for the magnificent revival of powerhouse performers like Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, especially the former. Urvashi, portraying a mother (and mother-in-law) dealing with her son's illness and eventual demise in a frequently flooding backwater town, is in a league of her own. She reminds us what an asset she is to South Indian cinema, with even the minutest changes in facial expression and demeanor wholly accounted for. On the other hand, Parvathy plays a character that's etched in such a way that she's initially difficult to side with, but the layered writing keeps telling us there's more to her than what meets the eye. She also brings a methodical yet gripping take on Anju, a woman who's forced to marry someone against her choice, and then left in a dire situation between her (ex) boyfriend and mother-in-law.

The writing carries the heft of a family drama with secrets unfolding one by one, and it even exhibits shades of a thriller occasionally, because we're led to think something drastic might happen with each little plot development. DoP Shehnad Jalal smartly plays with character focus, switching between Leelamma and Anju in intense scenarios featuring both. The constant flooding in and around their house also comes across as Mother Nature playing its own game and messing things up further, only to resolve them in due course. A delayed burial, a mistimed phone call, a conversation being overheard, an old medical report being found, a moment of familial reconciliation - every event has an emotional payoff. Death and birth begin to take different meanings in the household.

The supporting cast, including names such as Arjun Radhakrishnan, Alencier Ley Lopez, and Jaya Kurup, is also really good. Sushin Shyam's work on the score is a definite plus, and he brings his A-game. Kiran Das keeps the drama pegged at a good 2 hours and he's wise not to stretch a single scene to milk further sentiment. Christo Tomy and his 8-year journey with Ullozhukku ends on a highly satisfying note. I get the feeling he and his crew benefited big time by shooting the film in sync sound.

P. S. Did I expect things to go insanely overboard in the climax? YES. But, was I satisfied with the route Christo took to end the film? ABSOLUTELY!

Torrential rains in Kuttanad are used to portray melancholy in the Malayalam film #Ullozhukku. There's plenty in the movie for everyone to be sad. Leelamma is sad because her son just passed away. And, because her daughter-in-law has brought shame to the family. Anju is sad because she was coerced to ditch her boyfriend and marry someone whom she did not love. Rajeev is sad because he wants to start his own venture but is forced to work as a waiter. Why therefore should you view a film that is so filled with "sadness"? Because this movie portrays women as brave enough to make difficult choices and support one another in times of need, while still being vulnerable. Because of the exhilarating performances by Urvashi and Parvathy. Because of the brilliant direction by Christo Tomy. Rating 4/5.

Ullozhukku

An ocean of emotions portrayed through sunken human minds.

The plot of the story is about the survival of a young women in a unhappy married life covered up with lies,emotions and her deeply rooted relationship with her mother in law.

Christo has excelled in portraying the inner emotions of each characters in the movie very brilliantly. Not a single lag was felt and it is evident from the way he has penned the script. He has associated the emotional agony of each characters with the endless downpour in the movie.

Urvashi...The real queen...What a versatile delivery. Parvathi's performance with Urvashi especially in the darker areas was at par. Impressive delivery by Prashanth Murali,Alencier,Arjun & Jaya Kurup.

Sushin Shyam has got a feather on his hat again. He has proved that he can shoulder music for any genres. The Background score was so soothing and blended well along with the heavy downpour.

Shehnad Jalal's hands behind the camera was top notch and the way he captured the real beauty of Kuttanad and the hardships of the people in monsoon.

An emotionally touching family drama after Kaathal - The Core.

Rating - 3.75/5.

Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) is a slow-burning tale of a household distraught with flooding and disease. The people in the house are trying to navigate the hardships and getting by but something seems amiss between them. And the issues come out one by one, slowly, attracting the viewer in, getting them invested. I loved how this happens and how the two lead actors take it in their stride to carry the film. It's pure drama for drama lovers and save for the rushed last act, Ullozhukku will give you the chills. A must-watch for the whole family to see how secrets and past can come and break future relations.