I was really looking forward to watching this movie when it first came out. It wasn’t showing up in my area, so I had to wait for it to be available on a streaming platform. I found out on Twitter that it was playing on Simply South, which was a new OTT service for me. Later, I discovered it was also on Prime.
I’m not sure how well this movie will reach its audience. The visuals aren’t heavy, but the concept is deep. It’s a slow-paced film that requires patience, so you might even fall asleep. The story revolves around two female leads: Leelama (mother-in-law) and Anju (daughter-in-law). Anju, who works as a salesgirl, is in love with Rajeev, but her parents don’t accept their intercaste relationship. They force her to marry Thomas Kutty, Leelama’s son. The setting is a small village in Kerala during the monsoon season, with characters traveling by ferry.
Anju is unhappy with her sick husband and spends time with her ex-lover. After her husband dies, she discovers she’s pregnant. The family assumes it’s Thomas’s child until they uncover her infidelity. Anju also learns that Thomas had cancer before their marriage, making her feel deceived. The story is about two people coming to terms with each other.
The mature conversations between the two women are beautifully portrayed. Without this nuance, the same kind of interactions in the common households could have been chaotic, messy and even uglier. Leelama, who wanted to be a doctor but was forced into marriage, accepts her fate and dedicates herself to her family. Anju, on the other hand, refuses to accept her situation quietly. There’s a clear evolution in their characters: Leelama speaks a lot initially but becomes quieter, while Anju, initially submissive, finds her voice.
Each character is flawed but justified in their actions from their own perspectives.
- Leelama wants her son to marry despite his health issues.
- Anju is forced into marriage with Thomas due to her father’s wishes, despite loving Rajeev.
- Rajeev loves Anju but is also motivated by the desire for property.
- Thomas focuses on his own needs without understanding his role as a husband.
- Anju’s father prioritizes his wealth and reputation over his children’s happiness.
- Anju’s mother knew about Thomas’s cancer but hoped Anju would be happy in a wealthy family.
The conversations between Leelama and Anju are calm and filled with mutual care and understanding. Initially, Leelama seems to be emotionally manipulating Anju to stay, but her actions, like delaying the funeral and her interactions with Anju’s parents, reveal her true intentions. She chooses to give the property to Anju instead of her daughter.
Leelama’s conversation with her sister is particularly praiseworthy. Anju, although emotional, is also logical. Her decision to leave the house was present from the beginning. However, her final choice to stay feels unhurried. It could possibly be influenced by her last conversation with Rajeev.
One surprising aspect was how casually the other characters lived in a house filled with water. Urvashi and Parvathy did justice to the role yet Leelama outstood Anju. I am not sure how leelama would’ve done if Thomaskutty was alive.
This movie isn’t for those who prefer straightforward, fast-paced narratives. For some, it might not even make sense. However, if you’re interested, give it a try on Amazon Prime.
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