In 2018, a screenplay penned by a talented Malayali writer clinched the top prize in the National Screenplay Competition 'Cinestaan India', adjudicated by actor Aamir Khan and director Raj Kumar Hirani. Six years later, that screenplay by Christo Tomy is set to make its cinematic debut under the title "Ullozhukku". 

Starring Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, the film draws inspiration from the director's personal experiences, including the challenging days he spent waiting in flood-hit Alappuzha for his family to conduct his grandfather's funeral.

In an exclusive interview with Mathrubhumi English, Christo Tommy opens up about the inspiration behind the movie.

What was it like to work with two actors like Parvathy and Urvashi in the film?

Working with Parvathy and Urvashi Chechi on this film has been an unforgettable experience for me as a director. It's truly a dream come true to collaborate with actors of their calibre, and it has been an incredible learning journey. Urvashi Chechi is a legendary actor. She has been a familiar face to me since the 1990s. I distinctly recall the 'magic' of her acting unfolding in a scene that lasted over two minutes. 

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Parvathy and Prasanth Murali in 'Ullozhukku' | Photo: Screengrab

Similarly, Parvathy, with years of experience, approaches her roles with thorough preparation. She meticulously plans every detail, including understanding her character's costumes well in advance, often months before shooting begins. For example, she dedicated herself to learning how to row for a specific scene in the movie. Working with such talents made my job as a director significantly smoother.

What was the experience like filming the flooding in Alappuzha?

Filming the flood scenes was extremely challenging. The film includes both actual footage of floods and artificially created floods. Shooting in water posed significant difficulties, with some crew members, including light boys, sustaining leg injuries from prolonged exposure. Even Urvashi Chechi faced challenges.

Initially, the primary concern was how to realistically depict the flood scenes. Eventually, it was decided to use a real house and simulate the flood using a water-filled embankment. Ensuring the water remained in place was another hurdle, as the ground could absorb it. Therefore, filming was scheduled during the rainy season to maintain water levels. All the flood scenes were filmed on a one-acre plot by constructing a large embankment.

Similarly, we faced challenges with sync sound, which limited our ability to pump water between shots without affecting the audio. The noise from operating pumps could disrupt the entire scene. To mitigate this issue, we filled the embankment with water a day before filming and took precautions to prevent the ground from absorbing it.

Is it true that the story of 'Ullozhukku' is based on your personal life experience?

My mother's house is in Kuttanad. Every year, the area experiences flooding. I was there during the flood in 2005 when my grandfather passed away. We waited for eight or nine days for the water to recede before conducting his funeral. The inspiration for the film 'Ullozhuk' stems from this experience. While many of the anecdotes and characters in the movie are drawn from people in Kuttanad, the story itself is not based on any single individual.

Your screenplay for 'Ullozhukku' won a national award in 2018. What caused the delay in the film's release, despite this recognition?

Since my days at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), my ambition has been to make movies. The idea of turning 'Ullozhukku' into a movie first took shape in 2016 when I began writing its story. However, I never expected that the journey from script to screen would take so many years. The onset of COVID-19 further delayed our progress on the project. The truth is that unforeseen circumstances contributed to the delay in finishing the project.

Initially, we planned to make a small movie. Little did I imagine then that it would evolve into a movie starring actors like Urvashi and Parvathy on the big screen.

 

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Can you describe a memorable scene from the movie featuring Urvashi and Parvathy? The trailer hints at several emotional moments.

There are several standout scenes in the movie. Parvathy and Urvashi Chechi's performances are easily remarkable. For multiple reasons, one of my favourite scenes occurs in the second half. Another unforgettable moment is a scene with Chechi that is nearly two minutes long without any cuts. Initially planned for multiple shots, Chechi's flawless execution in one take was truly magical.