"Was Told To Write Films With Male Stars": Christo Tomy On The Struggle To Get Investment For Ullozhkku (image-Instagram/christotomy)

Known for the Netflix documentary Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Jospeh Case (2023), director Christo Tomy’s first feature film script, previously titled Shavamadakkam (The Funeral), won the first prize at Cinestaan India’s Storytellers Contest, India’s biggest feature film script contest. He was awarded the prize by the jury members, which included chairperson Anjum Rajabali, director Rajukumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, and screenwriter Juhi Chaturvedi. The winning script is now being made into Ullozhukku (or Undercurrent).

Starring powerhouse talents Parvathy and veteran actress Urvashi, the film is inspired by some of Tomy’s own experiences, including the time when his family was stuck waiting for over eight days to conduct his grandfather’s funeral amid floods in Alappuzha.

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In an interview with Wonderwall Media Network, Tomy revealed that the reason behind the delay in bringing the script to screens was the initial struggle to find investment and financial backing. He recounted how a female producer had jokingly told him to “write films with male stars” because they were having a tough time finding investment for the female-led film.

But after his 2018 win, he got more opportunities. Just when the pre-production work had begun, COVID-19 hit, and the work had to be paused and later restarted again. After years of struggle and pauses, the script finally got developed into a film which will hit theatres tomorrow.

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The film revolves around the death of Anju’s (Parvathy) husband (Prasanth Murali) and her tumultuous relationship with her mother-in-law, Leelamma (Urvashi), and her growing suspicion over her daughter-in-law. The emotional drama has been shot in Kuttanad, known for its backwaters.

Ullozhukku will release in cinemas across Kerala on June 21.