A chosen life is rewarding even with its flaws and uncertainties. In an imposed one, the buried emotions wait for their chance. Anju (Parvathy Thiruvothu) disrespects her husband’s body and grieving mother-in-law when the two strike up a bitter conversation about themselves. She can’t hold her up anymore in that old house drenched in tears of stranded souls. The pitter-patter of the rain outside deepens the emotional undercurrents. Leelamma (Urvashi) is tamed by time and social norms being a widowed mother of an ailing son for life, unlike Anju who still hopes for an exit. Christo Tomy, winner of two national awards maintains his unique craft in Ullozhukku (undercurrent), his debut feature film.

The dynamism and stark contrast in the character arcs of Leelamma and Anju play well in the film throwing light on their vulnerable life scenarios. I often observe it in homes, whether mothers-in-law care about their daughters-in-law or their love and support for their sons. It was always the latter in focus. Leelamma is very practical here. Her son Thomaskutty (Prashanth Murali) is a dying patient, Anju gets it but not exactly as Leelamma knows. Anju wouldn’t even care about it the moment her lover saves her from that flooded house. Leelamma is now looking forward to raising her grandkid, the next hope she fosters to anchor on. She never lived for herself and is trapped in the image of a woman of virtue and quite doesn’t get why Anju discards the tradition.

Ullozhukku delves deeply into the undercurrents of these two women otherwise closely bonded. The film is intense and emotional while exposing the buried emotions and truths of two connected families and their people. Sometimes, pride kills love. The tweaked end suggests how stranded souls embrace a safe and secure abode over anything.

Sushin Shyam's background music and Shehnad Jalal’s magical camera seamlessly merge into the insides and outsides of the hapless characters and their dark situations in Ullozhukku.

With exceptional performances of Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, Ullozhukku is the current sensation in Malayalam cinema.

In cinemas now. Don’t miss a watch.