Puzhu

<p>Kuttan is a high-ranking officer and a widower who belongs to a Brahmin community and stays in a luxury flat along with his son, Kichu. Kuttan is a person who completely avoids someone whose behaviour is annoying, irritating or somewhat provocative to him especially when it comes to some young women and he does not give a thought about what other people think. He is somewhat a complete introvert who has only a small circle of close friends and acquaintances and does not like to socialize too much. His somewhat 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 around him except his friends and close ones whom he trusts. His paranoia is accentuated when his younger sister, Bharati, comes to stay in a nearby flat along with her 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 result in him unleashing his rage and losing his sanity. On 8 March 2021 (Working Women’s Day), makers announced the film through social media by sharing the title poster. 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. — , The Cue Puzhu is a debut direction of Ratheena who has previously worked as the executive producer of -starrer , aside from associating with filmmakers such as . The film was to be produced by S. George under the banner Cyn-Cyl Celluloid and distributed by ‘s home banner . Deepu Joseph was announced as the editor while Manu Jagadh was in charge of the art department. 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. Principal photography began on 17 August 2021 with a switch-on ceremony held at , Kerala. joined the sets of the film on 10 September 2021. A first look poster of the film was released on 18 September 2021. On 15 October 2021, Mammootty informed the completion of shoot by sharing a group photo with the crew members through his social media account. 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 release. had its world premiere on on 12 May 2022 in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu languages. In a review rating it 4 out of 5 stars, of wrote, “ 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.” ranked it seventh on her year-end list of best Malayalam films on . Manoj Kumar R of rated it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that the film “Puzhu distinguishes itself from other movies that examine the dehumanizing 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”. 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”. 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. Vishnu Muraleedharan of 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.” Calling the film a “disturbing mystery thriller”, wrote that “despite its flaws, definitely marks an exceptional directorial debut.”</p>