Puzhu

Puzhu (Malayalam: പുഴു; transl. Worm) is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama film directed by debutant Ratheena and jointly written by Harshad and Suhas-Sharfu.[1] The film stars Mammootty & Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead role. Cinematography of the film is handled by Theni Eswar and the film score and songs are composed by Jakes Bejoy.

Puzhu
Official release poster
Directed byRatheena
Written byHarshad
Suhas-Sharfu
Story byHarshad
Produced byS.George
StarringMammootty
Parvathy
Appunni Sasi
CinematographyTheni Eswar
Edited byDeepu S. Joseph
Music byJakes Bejoy
Production
companies
Wayfarer Films
Cyn-Cyl Celluloid
Distributed bySonyLIV
Release date
  • 13 May 2022 (2022-05-13)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Principal photography began on 17 August 2021 at Ernakulam, Kerala.[2] The film was scheduled to release in theatres in the first half of 2022. Later, it was announced that the film would be skipping a theatrical release and decided for a direct-to-streaming release on SonyLIV.[3][4] It was premiered on SonyLIV on 12 May 2022 in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu languages.[5] The film received positive reviews from critics, with special praise for Mammootty's performance.

Plot

Kuttan is a high ranking IPS officer and a widower who belongs to a Brahmin community and stays in a luxury apartment along with his son, Kichu. His overprotective nature and authoritative methods suffocate Kichu, who wishes his father to die. Kuttan starts to feel that someone is trying to kill him and is suspicious of everyone. His paranoia is accentuated when his younger sister, Bharati, comes to stay in a nearby flat along with her theatre artist husband, Kuttappan. Kuttan shares a problematic relationship with Bharati, as she had eloped with Kuttappan, who is from an oppressed caste. Kuttan's hatred and bigotry results in him unleashing his rage and losing his sanity.

Cast

Production

Development

On 8 March 2021 (Women's Day), makers announced the film through social media by sharing the title poster.[6]

The audience will be shocked to see the kind of character Mammootty is playing in ‘Puzhu’. It is a kind of character he has never played before. And it is a film that aligns with the kind of political thoughts and gender politics I believe in.

— Parvathy Thiruvothu, The Cue[7][8]

Puzhu is a debut direction of Ratheena who has previously worked as the executive producer of Parvathy-starrer Uyare, aside from associating with filmmakers such as Revathi. The film was to be produced by S. George under the banner Cyn-Cyl Celluloid and distributed by Dulquer Salmaan's home banner Wayfarer Films. Deepu Joseph was announced as the editor while Manu Jagadh was in charge of the art department. Vishnu Govind and Sree Shankar of Sound Factor were to be working on the sound design. Veteran production controller Badusha was roped in with Renish Abdulkhader, Rajesh Krishna, and Shyam Mohan as executive producers.[9]

Filming

Principal photography began on 17 August 2021 with a switch-on ceremony held at Ernakulam, Kerala. Mammootty joined the sets of the film on 10 September 2021. A first look poster of the film was released on 18 September 2021.[10] On 15 October 2021, Mammootty informed the completion of shoot by sharing a group photo with the crew members through his social media account.[1]

Release

Puzhu was scheduled to release in theatres in the first half of 2022. Later, It was announced that the film would be skipping the theatrical release and option for a direct-to-digital release.

Puzhu had its world premiere on SonyLIV on 12 May 2022 in 5 languages (Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu).

Reception

In a review rating it 4 out of 5 stars, Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost wrote, “Puzhu’s flaws cannot be taken lightly, yet the film is stunning for so many reasons, making Ratheena one of the most significant voices to emerge from Indian cinema in recent years."[11] Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express rated it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that the film "Puzhu distinguishes itself from other movies that examine the dehumanising effects of the caste system by being completely non-judgemental. Mammootty is a revelation. If not for the camera’s power to capture the minute details of faces, the hatred that Mammootty showcases with the little twitch of his eyes and lips would have escaped our naked eyes. Mammootty delivers a moving performance as a man with a questionable and even condemnable worldview".[12] The Hindu's S. R. Praveen reviewed that "Mammootty’s menacing presence anchors this important debut film with few failings" and added "It is always a joy to see superstars breaking out of the tiresome mould that they have been caught in for years, and rediscovering their sparkling abilities which endeared them to the audience in the first place".[13] The News Minute in its review said, "Ratheena, the director, could not have made a better debut", adding that "Another plot device that seems to distract you from the otherwise captivating script is the overuse of theatre. Drama trying to be too dramatic, years after theatre found new pathways. But Puzhu is still going to disturb you, a lot, as it is supposed to.[14] Vishnu Muraleedharan of Malayala Manorama wrote "It seems like Mammootty has found his calling in scripts that have its base in Mahabharata and we are not complaining. The veteran actor has performed like a dream in Puzhu."[15] Calling the film a "disturbing mystery thriller", Kerala Kaumudi wrote that "despite its flaws, Puzhu definitely marks an exceptional directorial debut."[16]

Anna M. M. Vetticad ranked it seventh on her year-end list of best Malayalam films on Firstpost.[17]

References
  1. "Mammootty on 'Puzhu': It's a progressive and ambitious film". The Times of India. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. "Mammootty-Parvathy Thiruvothu starrer 'Puzhu' goes on floors". The Times of India. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  3. "Mammootty, Parvathy's Puzhu skips theatrical release, to premiere on SonyLIV". India Today. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  4. @LetsOTT (18 March 2022). "Mammootty - Parvathy in #Puzhu direct to digital release via SonyLiv" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. "Puzhu trailer: Mammootty is a helicopter father fighting his past demons". The Indian Express. May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  6. "Mammootty and Parvathy team up for the first time in 'Puzhu' film". New Indian Express. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  7. Narayanan, Manish (14 March 2021). "മമ്മൂക്കയുടെ കഥാപാത്രം ഞെട്ടിക്കും, എന്റെ രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തോട് ചേര്‍ന്ന് നില്‍ക്കുന്ന സിനിമ: പാര്‍വതി തിരുവോത്ത് അഭിമുഖം". The Cue (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  8. Nagarajan, Saraswathy (13 March 2021). "Parvathy Thiruvothu: I get to showcase diverse characters and there is nothing more I want in my resume". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  9. "Production begins for Mammootty-Parvathy film Puzhu". The New Indian Express. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. "'Puzhu' first look: Mammootty to play an undercover agent?". Times Of India. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  11. Anna M. M. Vetticad (17 May 2022). "Puzhu movie review: Mammootty's electrifying portrait of a bigot's persecution complex eclipses a mishandled climax". Firstpost.
  12. "Puzhu movie review: An in-form Mammootty makes us empathise with a bigot". The Indian Express. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  13. Praveen, S. r. (12 May 2022). "Puzhu review by the hindu". The Hindu.
  14. "Puzhu review: This Mammootty-Parvathy film will disturb you as it should". The News Minute. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  15. "Mammootty's Puzhu review: Unearthing a paranoid worm crawling under your skin". Malayala Manorama. 13 May 2022.
  16. "A disturbing mystery thriller, must not miss!". Kerala Kaumudi. 13 May 2022.
  17. Anna M. M. Vetticad (26 December 2022). "Best Malayalam Films 2022: A year so good that keeping this list down to 10 was impossible". Firstpost.
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