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Utharam

  • 1989
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
774
YOUR RATING
Mammootty, Parvathi, and Suparna Anand in Utharam (1989)
DramaMysteryThriller

One fine morning, not any different from every other day, a promising poet shoots herself. Leaving no trace of motive, her husband's best friend and journalist, Balu embarks on a journey to ... Read allOne fine morning, not any different from every other day, a promising poet shoots herself. Leaving no trace of motive, her husband's best friend and journalist, Balu embarks on a journey to find the truth.One fine morning, not any different from every other day, a promising poet shoots herself. Leaving no trace of motive, her husband's best friend and journalist, Balu embarks on a journey to find the truth.

  • Director
    • V.K. Pavithran
  • Writers
    • M.T. Vasudevan Nair
    • Daphne Du Maurier
  • Stars
    • Mammootty
    • Sukumaran
    • Parvathi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    774
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • V.K. Pavithran
    • Writers
      • M.T. Vasudevan Nair
      • Daphne Du Maurier
    • Stars
      • Mammootty
      • Sukumaran
      • Parvathi
    • 9User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

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    Top cast17

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    Mammootty
    Mammootty
    • Balachandran Nair
    Sukumaran
    Sukumaran
    • Mathew Joseph
    Parvathi
    Parvathi
    • Shyamala Menon
    Suparna Anand
    Suparna Anand
    • Saleena Joseph
    • (as Suparna)
    Karamana Janardanan Nair
    Karamana Janardanan Nair
    • Fr. Kunnathoor
    Sankaradi
    Sankaradi
    • Achuthan Nair
    Sukumari
    Sukumari
    • Molly Aunty
    V.K. Sriraman
    V.K. Sriraman
    • Superintendent
    Innocent Vareed Thekkethala
    Innocent Vareed Thekkethala
    • Nanu
    • (as Innocent)
    M. Chandran Nair
    • Kapyar Mathai
    Valsala Menon
    Valsala Menon
    • Miss Annie
    Akbar
    • Headmaster
    Jagannathan
    Jagannathan
    • Subrahmaniam
    Santhakumari
    Santhakumari
    • Nurse
    Jayalalitha
    • Malathi Krishna
    Murugan
    • Immanuel
    Trichur Elsi
    Trichur Elsi
    • Annamma
    • Director
      • V.K. Pavithran
    • Writers
      • M.T. Vasudevan Nair
      • Daphne Du Maurier
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    8.0774
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    Featured reviews

    10cloudine

    A searching journey ...

    A deep searching journey down the life and evolution of a poetess and wife who meets a sudden death which could be suicide or accident. Balu (mammmooty) starts the investigation down the lane of life. In his journey, he meets up with her childhood friend who lost track of her down the memory lane.. Recreating the past, the movie comes to a very satisfying end..

    The high degree of practical improvisation ability of a journalist shows in Mammooty's character, implemented and presented seamlessly...

    An awesome movie, with awesome revelations : "Irul veenoridavazhiyil evide vechaarente cheru kai vilakkum edutherinju.."
    7arungeorge13

    A well-written mystery drama that stands the test of time! [+73%]

    While certain aspects of the film might feel dated, Utharam - scripted by M.T Vasudevan Nair and directed by Pavithran, is a solid mystery drama that still sends shivers down my spine, especially with its climax twist. Stellar performances from the likes of Mammootty, Sukumaran, Sankaradi, and Parvathy are certainly amongst the film's positives.

    Based on the short story No Motive by Daphne du Maurier, the film will be remembered for how well M.T Vasudevan Nair tweaks it almost flawlessly for Malayali audiences. It's an elaborately structured screenplay with every character having a significant role to play in unraveling layers of the dead woman's past. The background score by Johnson adds to the film's overall intrigue. The supposed "answer" (as the title suggests) leaves room for a few minor fallacies, but it's a well-grounded film overall.
    rajeevm1989

    Brilliant thriller

    I cannot believe I am watching it only in 2019, better late than never. Sukumaran is fantastic in this film. A simple story told in a beautiful manner. Highly recommended.
    9amitraccheda

    A cult-classic in essence.

    Utharam (The Answer) is a brilliantly made film. If you're in with a limited budget, and want to pull-off a classic with that, this one is a textbook for you. Realistic conversations, subtle acting, and elegant exchanges makes the film a worthwhile watch.

    Plot synopsis:

    A seemingly very normal day has Mathew Joseph (Sukumaran) devastated as he learns about the mysterious death of his wife, Seleena, a renowned poet. His best friend, investigative journalist P.B. Nair aka Balu (Mammooty) is equally haunted when he learns that it was a suicide. Unable to find any reasonable motive, Mathew asks Balu to probe the death of Selena from every angle. A disturbed, yet intrigued Balu sets out to uncover her enigmatic past, in hope of finding the answer (Utharam) of what lead to her suicide.
    8ajral

    Unique malayalam movie

    It may look ordinary movie to anyone. But it stand out as one of the most unique feature malayalam movies at all time. Because it has the realistic approach and fine finishing. A wonderful movie to watch with family.

    Balu (mammootty) a well known journalist who has no family of his own, recollects best memories of his best friend (sukumaran) and his wife (who balu considered as his own sister and friend),a well known poet (suparna). His best friend and wife are the only family he had. But Balu's life was shattered to pieces by his sister's death. It was more heart breaking news for Balu as he finds out that his sister committed suicide.

    But Balu's best friend insists an answer (utharam) for his wife's death, thereby leading balu to set his journey to find out the root cause of his sister's death.

    On his journey of deep search he meets his sister's friend (parwathy) who was her childhood friend. On further step, balu finds out the most shocking and haunting secret he ever faced that led his sister to death.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This movie is written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair based on a short novel 'No Motive' by Daphne du Maurier.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 4, 1989 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Malayalam
    • Also known as
      • Uttaram
    • Filming locations
      • Kallooppara, Kerala, India
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Color
      • Color

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