Parvathy Thiruvothu on challenges of playing Anju in Malayalam film Ullozhukku: "Initially didn’t see any similarities between us..."

In a recent conversation with Film Critics Guild’s Vice Chairperson, Sucharita Tyagi, Parvathy shared insights into her journey with the film.

Parvathy Thiruvothu, renowned for her powerful performances in Indian cinema, continues to leave an indelible mark with her latest role in Ullozhukku. Her compelling portrayal in the Malayalam film has earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the prestigious Critics’ Choice Awards 2025.

She is nominated alongside other talented actresses, including Divya Prabha (All We Imagine As Light), Kani Kusruti (Girls Will Be Girls), Sai Abhinaya (Kottukkaali), and Chhaya Kadam (Laapataa Ladies). Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, has been recognized across multiple categories at the 7th edition of the Critics’ Choice Awards, which is presented by GroupM Motion Entertainment and the Film Critics Guild.

In a recent conversation with Film Critics Guild’s Vice Chairperson, Sucharita Tyagi, Parvathy shared insights into her journey with the film. She spoke about the emotional and physical challenges she faced while bringing her character to life and reflected on the working relationship she developed with director Christo Tomy. Her dedication to the craft and commitment to authenticity once again reaffirm her position as one of the most accomplished actors in contemporary Indian cinema.

Speaking about a very important scene in the film, Parvathy said, "The interval sequence, where she has to ask, ‘Is this my son’s baby?’—I had a bit of vertigo that day, and weirdly, that helped. Since I was already feeling sick, I had shallow breathing, which made it easier to access the character’s guilty and vulnerable state. External factors like these sometimes work in unexpected ways.”

Reflecting on her connection to the role, she added, “Much like many other characters, I feel empowered because of Anju too. Initially, I didn’t see any similarities between us, but as I slowly started noticing microscopic similarities, I began recognizing small connections—especially in the poor choices I’ve made and had to live with. In that sense, over a period of time, I started understanding the impact this film had on me.”

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She reflected on her collaboration with Christo Tomy, mentioning that they had several moments of misunderstanding. While they now laugh about those experiences, at the time, it was a matter of mutual trust. She recalled instances where filming had to be paused for 30 to 45 minutes because they were frustrated with each other, but in the end, they managed to push through.

Ullozhukku is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Christo Tomy. Featuring Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu in lead roles, the film also stars Arjun Radhakrishnan, Alencier Ley Lopez, Prashanth Murali, and Jaya Kurup in pivotal roles. The story follows a family struggling to bury a loved one as rising floodwaters disrupt their plans, forcing them to confront deep-seated secrets and hidden truths that threaten their bond. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.