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'{{short description|2022 film directed by Ratheena}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox film | name = Puzhu | image = Puzhu FL.jpeg | caption = Official release poster | director = Ratheena | producer = S.George | writer = Harshad<br>Sharfu<br>Suhas | story = Harshad | starring = [[Mammootty]]<br>[[Parvathy Thiruvothu|Parvathy]]<br>Appunni Sasi | music = [[Jakes Bejoy]] | editing = Deepu Joseph | studio = [[Wayfarer Films]]<br>Cyn-Cyl Celluloid | cinematography = [[Theni Eswar]] | distributor = [[SonyLIV]] | released = {{Film date|df=y|2022|05|13}} | country = India | language = Malayalam | runtime = 115 minutes }} '''''Puzhu''''' ([[Malayalam]]: പുഴു; {{trans|[[Worm]]}}) is a 2022 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film directed by debutant Ratheena and jointly written by Harshad, Sharfu and Suhas.<ref name=R1>{{cite web|title=Mammootty on ‘Puzhu’: It’s a progressive and ambitious film|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-on-puzhu-its-a-progressive-and-ambitious-film/articleshow/87133511.cms|language=en|access-date=2021-11-15|work=The Times of India|date=19 October 2021}}</ref> The film stars [[Mammootty]] in the lead role, while [[Parvathy Thiruvothu|Parvathy]], Appunni Sasi and Vasudev Sajeesh play prominent supporting roles. Cinematography of the film is handled by [[Theni Eswar]] and the film score and songs are composed by [[Jakes Bejoy]]. A gripping thriller with focus on the relationship between a father and son, and the underlying family dynamics and trust issues that follow. Principal photography began on 17 August 2021 at [[Ernakulam]], [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mammootty-Parvathy Thiruvothu starrer ‘Puzhu’ goes on floors|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-parvathy-thiruvothu-starrer-puzhu-goes-on-floors/articleshow/85393556.cms|language=en|access-date=2021-11-15|work=The Times of India|date=17 August 2021}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mammootty, Parvathy's Puzhu skips theatrical release, to premiere on SonyLIV. |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mammootty-parvathy-s-puzhu-skips-theatrical-release-to-premiere-on-sonyliv-soon-1925982-2022-03-16 |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1504674781852946432 |user=LetsOTT |title=Mammootty - Parvathy in #Puzhu direct to digital release via SonyLiv.}}</ref> It was premiered on SonyLIV on 12 May 2022 in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puzhu trailer: Mammootty is a helicopter father fighting his past demons |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/puzhu-trailer-mammootty-is-a-helicopter-father-fighting-his-past-demons-7896490/ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics, with special praise for Mammootty's performance. ==Plot== Kuttan is a [[police officer]] and a widower who belongs to a brahmin community and stays in an 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|theatre artist]] husband, Kuttappan. Kuttan shares a problematic relationship with Bharati, as she had eloped with Kuttappan, who is from a minority class. Kuttan's hatred towards the minority results in the death of Kuttappan and Bharathi. == Cast == {{Cast listing| *[[Mammootty]] as Kuttan *[[Parvathy Thiruvothu|Parvathy]] as Bharathi *Vasudev Sajeesh as Kichu *Appunni Sasi as Kuttappan *[[Nedumudi Venu]] as Mohan *[[Athmiya Rajan]] as Radhika *[[Kunchan (actor)|Kunchan]] as Paul Varghese *[[Malavika Menon]] as Bharathi's Friend *[[Indrans]] as Mathachan *[[Sreedevi Unni]] as Mohan's Wife *Kottayam Ramesh as Hari *Manohari Joy as Kuttan's Mother *[[Prasanth Alexander]] as Jamal *Thejas EK as Ameer }} == Production == ===Development=== On 8 March 2021 (Women's Day), makers announced the film through social media by sharing the title poster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mammootty and Parvathy team up for the first time in 'Puzhu' film|url= https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/mar/08/mammootty-andparvathy-teamupfor-the-first-time-inpuzhu-film-2273806.html |work=New Indian Express|access-date=27 November 2021|date=8 March 2021}}</ref> {{blockquote|text= 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.|author=[[Parvathy Thiruvothu]]|source=The Cue<ref>{{cite web|title=മമ്മൂക്കയുടെ കഥാപാത്രം ഞെട്ടിക്കും, എന്റെ രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തോട് ചേര്‍ന്ന് നില്‍ക്കുന്ന സിനിമ: പാര്‍വതി തിരുവോത്ത് അഭിമുഖം|url=https://www.thecue.in/opinion/interview/parvathy-thiruvothu-interview-on-mammootty-puzhu-movie |work=The Cue|access-date=27 November 2021|first=Manish|last=Narayanan|date=14 March 2021|language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Parvathy Thiruvothu: I get to showcase diverse characters and there is nothing more I want in my resume|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/parvathy-thiruvothu-i-get-to-showcase-diverse-characters-and-there-is-nothing-more-i-want-in-my-resume/article34060892.ece |work=The Hindu|access-date=28 November 2021|first=Saraswathy|last=Nagarajan|date=13 March 2021}}</ref>}} Puzhu is a debut direction of Ratheena who has previously worked as the executive producer of [[Parvathy Thiruvothu|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 [[Dulquer Salmaan|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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Production begins for Mammootty-Parvathy film Puzhu|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/aug/18/production-begins-for-mammootty-parvathy-film-puzhu-2346079.html |work=The New Indian Express|access-date=16 November 2021|date=18 August 2021}}</ref> ===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.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘Puzhu’ first look: Mammootty to play an undercover agent?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/puzhu-first-look-mammootty-to-play-an-undercover-agent/articleshow/86368521.cms|publisher=Times Of India|access-date=27 November 2021|date=20 September 2021}}</ref> On 15 October 2021, Mammootty informed the completion of shoot by sharing a group photo with the crew members through his social media account.<ref name=R1/> == 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 opt for a [[Direct-to-video#Digital releases|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 == 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".<ref>{{cite web |title=Puzhu movie review: An in-form Mammootty makes us empathise with a bigot |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/puzhu-review-an-in-form-mammootty-makes-us-empathise-with-a-bigot-7914346/ |website=The Indian Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512181610/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/puzhu-review-an-in-form-mammootty-makes-us-empathise-with-a-bigot-7914346/ |archive-date=12 May 2022 |language=en |date=12 May 2022}}</ref> ''[[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".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puzhu review by the hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/puzhu-movie-review-mammoottys-menacing-presence-anchors-this-important-debut-film-with-a-few-failings/article65408754.ece|website=The Hindu}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Puzhu review: This Mammootty-Parvathy film will disturb you as it should |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/puzhu-review-mammootty-parvathy-film-will-disturb-you-it-should-163905 |website=The News Minute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512182443/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/puzhu-review-mammootty-parvathy-film-will-disturb-you-it-should-163905 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |language=en |date=12 May 2022}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web |title=Mammootty's Puzhu review: Unearthing a paranoid worm crawling under your skin |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2022/05/13/mammootty-film-puzhu-review-sonyliv.html |website=Malayala Manorama |language=en |date=13 May 2022}}</ref> Calling the film a "disturbing mystery thriller", ''[[Kerala Kaumudi]]'' wrote that "despite its flaws, ''Puzhu'' definitely marks an exceptional directorial debut."<ref>{{cite news |title=A disturbing mystery thriller, must not miss!|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=813013&u= |newspaper=Kerala Kaumudi |language=en |date=13 May 2022}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{IMDb title|id=14195192}} [[Category:2022 films]] [[Category:Indian films]] [[Category:2020s Malayalam-language films]] [[Category:Films scored by Jakes Bejoy]] [[Category:2022 drama films]]'