Ullozhukku Won 71st National Awards (Photo Credit – Instagram)
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Ullozhukku, a Malayalam drama film, recently received recognition at the 71st National Film Awards, winning the award for Best Malayalam Film. Urvashi also received the award for Best Supporting Actress, a well-deserved honour for her commendable performance in the film.
Set against the backdrop of the flooded regions of Alappuzha, the film follows a widow and her mother-in-law as they struggle with multiple challenges, including the flood preventing the burial of the deceased husband. The story explores family bonds, duty, strained relationships, and hidden love affairs.
Plot of Ullozhukku
Ullozhukku is the tale of a family dealing with loss. A grieving mother has lost her son, but finds some solace in the fact that her grandchild is in the womb of her daughter-in-law. The wife, who has lost her husband, sees his death almost as a blessing, her heart belongs to another man, and she is pregnant. A flooded home and church delay the burial of the body, while her boyfriend urges her to run away with him. All the while, both her family and her husband’s family closely watch her every move.
Some might not enjoy Ullozhukku because it is a slow-paced family drama with no commercial elements. It is purely made for its artistic value. Some viewers may find it boring, as the film doesn’t include comedic characters, action sequences, or anything typically used to spice things up. It’s just pure emotional chaos and drama.
Where To Watch Ullozhukku?
Upon its release, the film was met with mostly positive reviews from critics. It was previously available for streaming on Prime Video in India, but it has since been removed from the platform. At present, the film can be found on YouTube, though only through unofficial uploads, with video quality that is just passable.
Why Ullozhukku Is Worth Your Watchlist
Ullozhukku is crafted in a way that allows viewers to truly feel the emotional turmoil of the characters on screen, especially the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, played by Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, respectively. Both actors delivered strong performances and had ample space to shine, but it was Urvashi, as the matriarch, who delivered the standout performance.
Director Christo Tomy authentically captures the essence of nature, daily life, and the emotional struggles of a family living in a flooded home, even when the rest of the drama is stripped away. The film is authentic and grounded, much like the performances themselves.
The film explores a wide range of themes: parenting styles and their variations, the question of how much freedom an adult should have, the extent of parental control over grown children, individual liberty, honour and self-respect, discrimination based on religion and wealth, circumstantial greed, and deep-rooted family secrets, all wrapped in an overarching tone of sadness.
If you enjoy slow-burn dramas with in-depth character development and a character-driven plot, Ullozhukku is a must-watch.
