otta malayalam movie review

• TN Navbharat
• Times Drive
• Health and Me
• ET Now Swadesh

Otta Movie Review: Resul Pookutty’s Directorial Debut Is A Monumental Achievement

Updated Oct 27, 2023, 10:30 IST

Share this Article

Critic's Ratings

Otta Movie Review : Plot And Performances

Otta Movie Review: Critique And Direction

Otta movie review: the final verdict.

entertainment news

Latest Movie Reviews

Badlapur Sexual Assault Case: Riteish Deshmukh Expresses Outrage. Writes 'As A Parent, Am Absolutely Disgusted...'

DYK Bhumika Chawla Was FIRST Choice For Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met

Karnataka HC Defers Decision On Actor Darshan's Request For Home-cooked Meals In Jail

Vedaa Box Office Collection Day 6: John Abraham-Sharvari Film Falters, Earns Rs 16.10 Crore

Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal All Smiles As They Leave Zoya Akhtar's House Post Dinner. Watch

'Otta' movie review: An immensely hard-hitting debut

It’s only fitting that an accomplished sound designer’s directorial debut uses sound as a trigger to revisit past traumas. For one man, it’s a palm rapping on a window pane. For another, it’s a dog. For a third, it’s a movie song. There are more characters with various other triggers, and Resul Pookutty makes it quite clear in his maiden directorial that he is not here to make you feel good but to leave you numb after taking you to not only some of the darkest corners of this planet but also of the human mind.

It goes without saying that one can’t mention this suitably gritty film—revolving around runaways who have experienced separation, loneliness, physical and psychological abuse, hunger, poverty, and sexual assault—without mentioning multiple trigger warnings. Naturally, this review will not discuss the specifics but give you a general picture of what to expect. 

The approach that Resul has adopted in handling the material, based on S Hariharan’s non-fiction book, Runaway Children, is one that combines mainstream and arthouse sensibilities. So, if a picture has already formed in your mind about Otta being an ‘award movie’, I would urge you to dismiss that notion. Had Resul gone for a completely arthouse approach, I believe Otta would’ve been a much more devastating experience. There are a few songs occasionally punctuating the narrative, and though I’m a viewer who prefers films to be entirely devoid of songs, I can’t imagine some films functioning without them either. In Otta, they certainly serve as a brief respite before moving on to another hard-hitting event.

Though handled with a cinematic touch—visually speaking, of course—Resul refrains from giving us any ‘heroic’ moment. In one particularly traumatising scene, the principal protagonist, instead of becoming a saviour, is rendered helpless and, in doing so, Otta reminds us that though we are watching a movie, the individual we expect to do a ‘heroic’ deed may not be capable of it because he is playing a real-life character. I was reminded of what author Stieg Larsson said about writing his Millenium trilogy (e.g. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) as a response to his inability to do anything for a female friend who experienced a haunting ordeal.

Now, before you assume that Otta is the most depressing film ever made on this planet, let me assure you that it’s not. But, I also don’t recommend watching it while going through a dark phase in your life. I can’t speak, however, for those tormented souls who might find some therapeutic relief after witnessing one or more of the events depicted in the film, because that also happens to be a truism. 

After all, Otta is a film about multiple individuals with traumatic experiences crossing paths and finding relief in shared experiences, even if briefly. As I said earlier, I’m not going to describe any of the events in the film because I don’t want to be that critic who writes the entire story in the review. And Otta is one of those films which is better experienced after knowing little to nothing about it.

However, before I conclude my review, I want to express my admiration for some of the performances, particularly of Asif Ali, Indrajith Sukumaran, Arjun Ashokan, and Sathyaraj. Asif, of course, would put up a good show when given the right script. Otta provides plenty of instances to remind us of his strong acting prowess. Asif neither overplays nor underplays his character. The meter is just right. 

While I’m glad to see Indrajith Sukumaran in an immensely poignant role, I have a minor quibble about being unable to comprehend a few specifics of the traumatic incident that left his character permanently scarred. But this is mainly due to a particular Thiruvananthapuram dialect and the usage of certain words which I couldn’t make out. 

Thankfully, the actor’s heartbreaking rendering of his inner turmoil—through his wonderfully expressive face and body language—is enough for us to understand his character’s pain. I would say this is one of those performances where Indrajith the actor is more prominent than Indrajith the star. And as for Arjun Ashokan, this is by far the darkest of all his roles. Without giving anything away, I would say that if you’re a dog lover like me, you might want to brace yourself.

I’ve heard that the film only depicts a small percentage of what these individuals actually went through. I’m glad Resul chose not to show us all the details because whatever little he shows us is enough to leave one with a heavy heart. Sometimes, unseen horrors are more chilling than the seen. In Otta, some ‘villains’ are humanised because it’s unfair to discuss them as ‘bad’ and because they have the potential for redemption, whereas others are not. The latter doesn’t get punished either because, once again, Otta is not a ‘movie’ movie.

Yes, the overall experience is devastating, but, to put it simply, the purpose here, I believe, is to make us reflect on our dear ones and hold them close to our hearts instead of alienating them. There are times during which we have to lend someone a helping hand to rescue them from darkness, but at others, the only way to help them is to leave them alone. Otta may not make you feel good, but in this day and age, perhaps a film like this is needed to give one the necessary jolt. 

Film: Otta Director: Resul Pookutty Cast: Asif Ali, Arjun Ashokan, Indrajith Sukumaran, Sathyaraj, Rohini, V Jayaprakash Rating : 3.5/5

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp  

Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest

Related Stories

Activate your premium subscription today

• Wayanad Landslide
• Latest News
• Weather Updates
• Change Password

ഓർമകളിലൂടെ ഹൃദ്യമായ ഒരു മടക്കയാത്ര; ‘ഒറ്റ’ റിവ്യു Otta Review

Published: October 27 , 2023 04:12 PM IST

1 minute Read

Link Copied

Mail This Article

ഓസ്കർ ജേതാവ് റസൂൽ പൂക്കുട്ടി സംവിധാനരംഗത്തേക്ക് ചുവടുവയ്ക്കുന്ന മലയാള ചിത്രമാണ് ‘ഒറ്റ’. മുംബൈയിലെ ‘സമതോൽ’ എന്ന സാമൂഹികസേവന സംഘടനയുടെ സ്ഥാപകനും പാലക്കാട് സ്വദേശിയുമായ എസ്.ഹരിഹരന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ നടന്ന കുറെ കാര്യങ്ങൾ കഥാരൂപത്തിലേക്കു മാറ്റിയതാണ് ‘ഒറ്റ’ എന്ന സിനിമ. ഓർമകളിലൂടെ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ ക്ഷുഭിത യൗവനത്തിലേക്കുള്ള തിരിച്ചുപോക്കാണ് ചിത്രം. 

കോളജ് വിദ്യാർഥികളായ ഹരിയും ബെന്നും സുഹൃത്തുക്കളാണ്. വ്യത്യസ്‌ത കുടുംബപശ്ചാത്തലത്തിൽ നിന്നുള്ളവരെങ്കിലും ഇരുവർക്കും പൊതുവായുള്ളത് കുടുംബപ്രശ്നങ്ങളാണ്. അങ്ങനെ വീട്ടുകാരോട് വഴക്കിട്ട് ഇരുവരും നാടുവിടുന്നു. ആ യാത്രയിൽ അവർ കണ്ടുമുട്ടുന്ന മനുഷ്യരും ഉപജീവനത്തിനായി നേരിടുന്ന വെല്ലുവിളികളും പിന്നെയുണ്ടാകുന്ന തിരിച്ചറിവുകളുമാണ് ചിത്രം അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്നത്. പാലക്കാട്, ചെന്നൈ, മുംബൈ എന്നിവിടങ്ങളായാണ് കഥ പുരോഗമിക്കുന്നത്.  

നാട്ടിലെ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ സുഖസമൃദ്ധിയിൽനിന്ന് മഹാനഗരങ്ങളിലെ പാർശ്വവത്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടവരുടെ ഇടയിലേക്കാണ് ഹരിയും ബെന്നും എത്തിപ്പെടുന്നത്. അവിടെയുള്ളവരുടെ ദയനീയ ജീവിതസാഹചര്യങ്ങൾ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ പരുക്കൻ യാഥാർഥ്യങ്ങൾ അവരെ പഠിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. അവിടെവച്ച് അവർ രാജുവിനെ കണ്ടുമുട്ടുന്നു. അവർക്കിടയിൽ സൗഹൃദം രൂപപ്പെടുന്നു. രാജുവിനും അയാളുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ ഒരു ദുരന്തകഥ പറയാനുണ്ട്. സമാന്തരമായി അതും ചിത്രത്തിൽ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. അങ്ങനെ പരിചയപ്പെട്ട പലമുഖങ്ങൾക്കിടയിൽ ഒരാൾ അവരുടെ ജീവിതത്തിന് അടിത്തറയേകുന്നു. അങ്ങനെ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ അനുഭവങ്ങൾ തേച്ചുമിനുക്കി പുതിയ വ്യക്തികളായ അവരിലൊരാൾ ഓർമകളിലേക്ക് തിരിഞ്ഞുനടക്കുന്നതാണ് ചിത്രം.

ആസിഫ് അലി, അർജുൻ അശോകൻ എന്നിവരാണ് പ്രധാന കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾ. ഇന്ദ്രജിത്ത്, സത്യരാജ്, രോഹിണി, ആദിൽ ഹുസൈൻ, ഇന്ദ്രൻസ്, രഞ്ജി പണിക്കർ, സുരേഷ് കുമാർ, ശ്യാമ പ്രസാദ്, സുധീർ കരമന, ബൈജു പൂക്കുട്ടി, ദിവ്യ ദത്ത, കന്നഡ നടി ഭാവന, ലെന, മംമ്ത മോഹൻദാസ്, ജലജ, ദേവി നായർ തുടങ്ങിയവരാണ് മറ്റ് അഭിനേതാക്കൾ. 

അച്ഛനും മകനും ഇടയിലുള്ള ഉരസലുകൾ ആസിഫ്- സത്യരാജ് കോംബോ തീവ്രതയോടെ ആവിഷ്കരിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. വൈകാരിക രംഗങ്ങൾ അഭിനയിച്ചു ഫലിപ്പിക്കാനുള്ള മിടുക്ക് ആസിഫ് ഒറ്റയിലും തുടരുന്നു. ശിഥിലമായ ദാമ്പത്യം മക്കളിൽ ഉളവാക്കുന്ന അരക്ഷിതാവസ്ഥ അർജുൻ അശോകനും ഭംഗിയായി അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. 'ലെഫ്റ്റ് റൈറ്റ് ലെഫ്റ്റ്' എന്ന ചിത്രത്തിലെ 'വട്ട് ജയൻ' എന്ന കഥാപാത്രത്തെ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്ന മാനറിസങ്ങളും ഡയലോഗ് ഡെലിവറിയുമായി ഇന്ദ്രജിത്തും റോൾ ഭംഗിയാക്കുന്നു.

പാലക്കാടുള്ള അഗ്രഹാര ജീവിതം, ചെന്നൈയിലെ ചേരികളിലെ ജീവിതം, മുംബൈയിലെ ഉള്ളവനും ഇല്ലാത്തവനും തമ്മിലുള്ള അന്തരം തുടങ്ങിയവ റിയലിസ്റ്റിക്കായി ചിത്രത്തിലൂടെ ആവിഷ്കരിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ഛായാഗ്രഹണം അടക്കമുള്ള സാങ്കേതികമേഖലകൾ നിലവാരം പുലർത്തുന്നു.

പല രാജ്യാന്തര സിനിമകളുടെയും ‘ശബ്ദമായി’ മാറിയ റസൂൽ തന്റെ പ്രഥമ സംവിധാന സംരംഭത്തിലും ശബ്ദത്തിന് പ്രാധാന്യം നല്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഒറ്റയിൽ സിങ്ക് സൗണ്ടാണ് ഉപയോഗിച്ചത്. എന്നിട്ടും സൂക്ഷ്മമായ ശബ്ദങ്ങൾ പോലും മിഴിവോടെ പ്രേക്ഷകരിലേക്ക് വിനിമയം ചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നുണ്ട്. ഒറ്റയിൽ സംഗീതത്തിന് നല്ല പ്രാധാന്യം നൽകിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. ചിത്രത്തിൽ കഥാപുരോഗതി പലപ്പോഴും സംഗീതത്തിന്റെ തോളിലേറിയാണ് ചിത്രത്തിൽ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നത്.

വിവിധ ഭാഷകളുടെ കൂടിച്ചേരലാണ് ഈ സിനിമ. ആ അർഥത്തിൽ ഇതൊരു പാൻ ഇന്ത്യൻ ചിത്രമെന്നും പറയാം. രണ്ടര മണിക്കൂർ ദൈർഘ്യമുണ്ട് ചിത്രത്തിന്. ഇതൊരു തട്ടുപൊളിപ്പൻ ചിത്രമല്ല. പക്ഷേ പലർക്കും താദാത്മ്യം പ്രാപിക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്ന ചില അനുഭവങ്ങൾ ഈ സിനിമയിലുണ്ട്. ചുരുക്കത്തിൽ ആദ്യ സംവിധാനസംരംഭം റസൂൽ പൂക്കുട്ടി മോശമാക്കിയിട്ടില്ല എന്നുവേണം പറയാൻ.

Otta Movie Review: Resul Pookutty's Directorial Debut

• Asif Ali Asif Alitest -->
• Movie Review Movie Reviewtest -->
• Resul Pookutty Resul Pookuttytest -->
• Indrajith Sukumaran Indrajith Sukumarantest -->
• Malayalam Movie News Malayalam Movie Newstest -->

• Times Now Navbharat

Otta Movie Review: Resul Pookutty's Emotional Drama Is A Cinematic Marvel

Updated Oct 27, 2023, 10:57 AM IST

Share This Article

Critic's Ratings

Otta Movie Review: Plot And Performances

Otta Movie Review: Critique And Direction

Otta movie review: the final verdict, latest entertainment news.

Discover the Excellence of Pachouli Aesthetics and Wellness

ARL Tyres Partners with Blockbuster Film “Chandu Champion”

Alia Bhatt Would Do THIS Differently For Raha In Terms Of Parenting In Comparison To Soni, Mahesh: Want Her To Learn...

Alia Bhatt Sports Kaala Teeka Behind Her Ear At Met Gala 2024, Netizens Call It 'So Precious'

The Family Man 3 BIG Update: Manoj Bajpayee Starts Shooting For Raj & DK's Action-Thriller. See Post

Kareena Kapoor Opts Out Of Yash's Toxic Due To THIS Reason

RCB Captain Faf du Plessis Shares Birthday Pics From Anushka Sharma's Intimate Party, Virat Kohli Holds Wife In Arms

Woman Without Ticket Argues For Seat In Train, Video Goes Viral

Latest And Upcoming Movies

Sonakshi Sinha,Richa Chadha,Manisha Koirala,Aditi Rao Hydari,Sanjeeda Sheikh,Shekhar Suman,Fardeen Khan

Critic's Rating

Amar Singh Chamkila

Diljit Dosanjh,Parineeti Chopra

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

Akshay Kumar,Tiger Shroff,Prithviraj Sukumaran,Manushi Chillar

Ajay Devgn,Priyamani,Gajraj Rao,Rudranil Ghosh

Related News

Heeramandi The Diamond Bazaar Review: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Aptly Shows Lives of Courtesans During British-Ruled India

Amar Singh Chamkila Movie Review: Imtiaz Ali's Ode To Late Punjabi Legend Hits Hard

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Movie Review: Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff Impress With Jhakaas Action And Funny One-Liners

Maidaan Movie Review: Ajay Devgn Film Hits Winning Goal But Misses Patriotic Feel

The Family Star Review: Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur Film Is A Heartwarming Tale Of Familial Bonds

Otta Movie Review: Resul Pookutty's immensely hard-hitting directorial debut

Rating: ( 3.5 / 5).

It's only fitting that an accomplished sound designer's directorial debut uses sound as a trigger to revisit past traumas. For one man, it's a palm rapping on a window pane. For another, it's a dog. For a third, it's a movie song. There are more characters with various other triggers, and Resul Pookutty makes it quite clear in his maiden directorial that he is not here to make you feel good but to leave you numb after taking you to not only some of the darkest corners of this planet but also of the human mind. Director: Resul Pookutty

Cast: Asif Ali, Arjun Ashokan, Indrajith Sukumaran, Sathyaraj, Rohini, V Jayaprakash It goes without saying that one can't mention this suitably gritty film -- revolving around runaways who have experienced separation, loneliness, physical and psychological abuse, hunger, poverty, and sexual assault -- without mentioning multiple trigger warnings. Naturally, this review will not discuss the specifics but give you a general picture of what to expect.

The approach that Resul has adopted in handling the material, based on S Hariharan's non-fiction book, Runaway Children, is one that combines mainstream and arthouse sensibilities. So, if a picture has already formed in your mind about Otta being an 'award movie', I would urge you to dismiss that notion. Had Resul gone for a completely arthouse approach, I believe Otta would've been a much more devastating experience. There are a few songs occasionally punctuating the narrative, and though I'm a viewer who prefers films to be entirely devoid of songs, I can't imagine some films functioning without them either. In Otta , they certainly serve as a brief respite before moving on to another hard-hitting event. Though handled with a cinematic touch -- visually speaking, of course -- Resul refrains from giving us any 'heroic' moment. In one particularly traumatising scene, the principal protagonist, instead of becoming a saviour, is rendered helpless and, in doing so, Otta reminds us that though we are watching a movie, the individual we expect to do a 'heroic' deed may not be capable of it because he is playing a real-life character. I was reminded of what author Stieg Larsson said about writing his Millenium trilogy (e.g. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo ) as a response to his inability to do anything for a female friend who experienced a haunting ordeal. Now, before you assume that Otta is the most depressing film ever made on this planet, let me assure you that it's not. But, I also don't recommend watching it while going through a dark phase in your life. I can't speak, however, for those tormented souls who might find some therapeutic relief after witnessing one or more of the events depicted in the film, because that also happens to be a truism. 

After all, Otta is a film about multiple individuals with traumatic experiences crossing paths and finding relief in shared experiences, even if briefly. As I said earlier, I'm not going to describe any of the events in the film because I don't want to be that critic who writes the entire story in the review. And Otta is one of those films which is better experienced after knowing little to nothing about it. However, before I conclude my review, I want to express my admiration for some of the performances, particularly of Asif Ali, Indrajith Sukumaran, Arjun Ashokan, and Sathyaraj. Asif, of course, would put up a good show when given the right script. Otta provides plenty of instances to remind us of his strong acting prowess. Asif neither overplays nor underplays his character. The meter is just right. 

While I'm glad to see Indrajith Sukumaran in an immensely poignant role, I have a minor quibble about being unable to comprehend a few specifics of the traumatic incident that left his character permanently scarred. But this is mainly due to a particular Thiruvananthapuram dialect and the usage of certain words which I couldn't make out. 

Thankfully, the actor's heartbreaking rendering of his inner turmoil -- through his wonderfully expressive face and body language -- is enough for us to understand his character's pain. I would say this is one of those performances where Indrajith the actor is more prominent than Indrajith the star. And as for Arjun Ashokan, this is by far the darkest of all his roles. Without giving anything away, I would say that if you're a dog lover like me, you might want to brace yourself. I've heard that the film only depicts a small percentage of what these individuals actually went through. I'm glad Resul chose not to show us all the details because whatever little he shows us is enough to leave one with a heavy heart. Sometimes, unseen horrors are more chilling than the seen. In Otta , some 'villains' are humanised because it's unfair to discuss them as 'bad' and because they have the potential for redemption, whereas others are not. The latter doesn't get punished either because, once again, Otta is not a 'movie' movie. Yes, the overall experience is devastating, but, to put it simply, the purpose here, I believe, is to make us reflect on our dear ones and hold them close to our hearts instead of alienating them. There are times during which we have to lend someone a helping hand to rescue them from darkness, but at others, the only way to help them is to leave them alone. Otta may not make you feel good, but in this age when we have to make appointments to meet our loved ones, perhaps a film like this is needed to give one the necessary jolt.

• Andhra Pradesh
• Behind the News
• Dakshin Dialogues
• In The News

• Opinion & Analysis

• Health & Wellness
• Community & Culture

• Home » Movies

Otta review: Resul Pookutty’s emotional drama is complemented by Asif Ali and Arjun Ashokan’s splendid performances

'Otta' talks about serious issues like toxic parenting, child abuse, and how employees are treated by their employers in cities.

Published:Oct 27, 2023

A poster of the film 'Otta'. (X)

An intense emotional drama!

Otta (Malayalam)

• Cast: Asif Ali, Indrajith, Arjun Ashokan, Sathyaraj , and Rohini Molleti
• Director: Resul Pookutty
• Producer: Hariharan Subramanyam
• Music: M Jayachandran
• Runtime: 2 hours 28 minutes
• Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, and Revathy
• Director: Maneesh Sharma
• Producer: Aditya Chopra
• Music: Pritam Chakraborty
• Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

Otta (One) marks Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty’s directorial debut movie. It revolves around characters who fight against the odds to become successful.

It is not the usual kind of film but is filled with emotional scenes — from the beginning till the end.

Instead of taking an easy path by making a film that goes with the current trend in the Malayalam industry, Resul has chosen to give details on all the scenes.

Otta has a complex plot which deals with serious issues.

The film deals with toxic parenting and showcases how it affects Hariharan (Asif Ali) and Ben (Arjun Ashokan), both friends and residents of Palakkad.

Hariharan, the son of Iyer (Sathyaraj) and Uma (Rohini Molleti), feels lonely at home because of his strict father.

Ben is unhappy because his parents get separated. He lives with his mom Dr Mary (Bhavana Ramanna), who is always harsh on him due to her ego against her ex-husband.

Unable to face the ill-treatment, Hariharan and Ben decide to elope. As they leave, what is left for them in their platter? Do they succeed in life or fail? — form the crux of Otta .

Here’s the BTS Video of #Otta @Ottathemovie @resulp #AsifAli @Indrajith_S #Sathyaraj @Rohinimolleti @divyadutta25 @_AdilHussain @childrenrullp @mamtamohan @snakeplantllp pic.twitter.com/bsiQK2mWNv — Otta The Movie (@ottathemovie) June 22, 2023

Also Read: ‘Tagaru Palya’ will make you ‘nod your head’ for its value-added humour

A turning point.

On the sets of the film ‘Otta’. (X)

Resul Pookutty introduces many characters in the movie to give an essence of what he is trying to communicate.

The flashback scenes invest the time in developing the characters.

The first half focuses on the issues that Ben and Hariharan face in their hometown. The second half portrays the obstacles they face in Chennai.

Raju (Indrajith Sukumaran) enters the picture in Chennai. At one point, Ben leaves Hariharan, which becomes a turning point in their lives.

Though Ben faces several problems at his workplace, he initially doesn’t care about them. However, as he starts retaliating, things get worse for him.

Ben is more emotionally devastated than Hariharan. Hari tries to cool down his emotions but in vain.

Resul Pookutty adopts a raw filmmaking style, especially in the emotional and romantic scenes between homosexuals and brutal rape scenes (usually showcased in web series). He deserves applause for taking a daring step.

But the common audience, who has a penchant for commercial potboilers, may not be impressed with this.

Also Read: Joju George’s intense performance is the backbone of ‘Pulimada’

Family drama.

Rohini Molleti in ‘Otta’. (Supplied)

Otta , written by Kiran Prabhakaran, is inspired by S Hariharan’s book “ Runaway Children “.

As mentioned earlier, family bonding plays a key role in the film. However, some of the subplots could have been trimmed.

The emotional connection Hariharan and Ben share with their families and the rebellious nature of the duo are two major aspects of the story.

Hariharan’s parents are orthodox. Scenes that establish their conservative beliefs could have been trimmed.

Iyer, a local banker, becomes a philanthropist by setting up an old-age home at the end. Later, his son also gets motivated and returns.

The movie talks about serious issues like toxic parenting, child abuse, and how employees are treated by their employers in metro cities.

Team @ottathemovie in its last mile pays gratitude to #BaijuPookutty #Appukutty and #Vinay for their soulful performances 💞💝 @resulp #AsifAli @Indrajith_S #Sathyaraj @Rohinimolleti @divyadutta25 @_AdilHussain @childrenrullp @mamtamohan @snakeplantllp pic.twitter.com/vrzUc9kvXW — Otta The Movie (@ottathemovie) July 22, 2023

Also Read: Rohini Molleti — the happening mother of South cinema

Performances.

Various characters of Otta’. (Supplied)

Intense performances by Asif Ali and Arjun Ashokan are the takeaways of Otta . Both the young actors have nailed it in these respective scenes.

Indrajith, as Raju, is good.

Rohini Molleti is impressive as Hariharan’s mother and a helpless lady in a patriarchal society.

Bhavana Ramanna, as Mary Thomas, could have toned down her expressions since Malayalam films are no longer melodramatic as earlier.

Tamil actor Sathyaraj as Iyer is okayish but not exceptional since there is an overdose of expressions like in Tamil films.

The sound mixing is at its best. The scenes in the railway station and other areas have come out very well.

The cinematography by Arun Varma is good. He beautifully captures the villages in Palakkad, Chennai city, the slums, and even Mumbai.

The music by Zian Sreekanth and M Jayachandran does justice to the plot.

Otta is an emotional film with an intense plot directed by Resul Pookutty. It has exceptional performances by Asif Ali and Arjun Ashokan. It is certainly a safe debut for the Oscar Award winner.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

Tags:  

• Malayalam movies
• Movie review

Recommended For You

Aju Varghese’s ‘Padakkuthira’ launched, first look out

Aug 19, 2024

Ponman: First-look poster of Basil Joseph’s next unveiled

‘Hunt’ trailer promises a riveting investigative thriller with paranormal activity

Aamir Khan and Lokesh Kanagaraj to collaborate on a pan-Indian project?

Akshay Oberoi is the latest addition to Yash’s ‘Toxic’

• Let me explain
• Yen Endra Kelvi
• SUBSCRIBER ONLY
• Whats Your Ism?
• Pakka Politics
• NEWSLETTERS

Otta review: Resul Pookutty’s film has a touching theme but pretentious script

Otta (malayalam) ( 2 / 5).

Even in the most trying moments of his life, even as he "reaches rock bottom", as a friend calls it, Hari has a smile flickering on his face, as if he is amused by it all. The smile fades only in the confines of the home he grew up in, where his memories begin and end with the harshness of his father and the helplessness of his mother. This is how Resul Pookutty presents the protagonist of his directorial debut – Otta (Alone) – based on the real life story of Mumbai-based businessman S Hariharan and his book Runaway Children . While the underlying theme – of unloved children and homelessness – is moving, the scripting, too full of pretentious lines and philosophical jargons, has a large part of the film come off as fake.

The shallowness of the script is reduced to an extent by memorable performances of actors like Asif Ali and Indrajith Sukumaran. Asif Ali as Hariharan plays an adorably well-adjusted young man who is unfazed by poverty, smiling every time he sees children run by. His emotions seem tethered, unlike his friend who runs away with him when they both decide they can’t stay home any longer, feeling trapped and unloved. Ben Thomas (Arjun Ashokan) is easily upset, violent to the point of needing medical treatment, evidently more broken than his friend. What he lacks is the broad-mindedness of his friend, who too had a difficult childhood.

Sathyaraj and Rohini play the parents of Hari, in a Tamil household in Kerala. Everything from their attires – sela for her, veshti for him – to the rituals, is made to look typical (of Tamil families), except for the harsh punishments of the father. Bad parenting appears to be a running thread in the film, with three main characters suffering from it. Ben is a child of divorced parents and living with an over-controlling mother. The third character – Raju played by Indrajith – suffers in his adulthood for the past doings of his father. Indrajith and Asif Ali are a delight to watch, especially in their bonding. Indrajith is ever so underutilised, you have to wonder why. Asif Ali’s subdued expressions can tug at your heartstrings even as the scripting makes it hard to take anyone seriously.

You’d wish for silence, because you know a lovely moment may just be ruined by yet another fancy and sometimes questionable one-liner: "What we expect is not what happens in life, life is what it is", or "Crying will not give you relief, it will only make you cry more". Only Indrajith’s lines in Thiruvananthapuram dialect sound real. Music, at times full of static, further reduces the dialogue quality.

The visuals however give a genuine picture of the poor and the downtrodden in the streets of rural Tamil Nadu – where Hari and Ben arrive. Runaways, youngsters unsure of a future and people without hope, end up in the dingy lanes and corridors, coming to terms with their realities.

The lens doesn’t focus a lot on the women – the crying mother, the disciplinarian doctor, the privileged cousin, and the oppressed coworker pass by, leaving incomplete pictures of themselves.

It is not that Otta is not relatable. Resul has tried to give a faithful account of Hariharan’s story, depicted the realities that a runaway can end up in, and kept the flow. Only, the superficial treatment has weakened the effort. 

Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the producers or any other members of its cast and crew.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The story of 'Otta' is inspired by the life of S Hariharan who has written the book 'Runaway Children', which was based on the life of S Hariharan. The story of 'Otta' is inspired by the life of S Hariharan who has written the book 'Runaway Children', which was based on the life of S Hariharan. The story of 'Otta' is inspired by the life of S Hariharan who has written the book 'Runaway Children', which was based on the life of S Hariharan.

• Resul Pookutty
• Kiron Prabhakaran
• Arjun Ashokan
• 1 User review
• 1 Critic review

Top cast 18

• Street begger

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

User reviews 1

• khanrza-07380
• Jun 17, 2024
• How long is Otta? Powered by Alexa
• October 27, 2023 (India)
• Children Reunited
• Resul Pookutty Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 28 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• Entertainment
• Life & Style

To enjoy additional benefits

CONNECT WITH US

‘Otta’ movie review: Resul Pookutty’s directorial debut fails to make a mark, despite its lofty intentions

Despite an ensemble cast, only some of them get characters having enough to do to even register in our minds in asif ali and arjun ashokan’s ‘otta’.

Updated - October 27, 2023 06:23 pm IST

Published - October 27, 2023 05:50 pm IST

A still from ‘Otta’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In the world of troubled loners that Otta paints, almost every major character is running away from something. Some of it makes sense to us, while some others don’t. Two of the protagonists run away from their homes, unable to bear the emotional toll of toxic parenting. One of them ends up running away from the horrible workplace that they end up in, and he further runs away from a person who initially appears to be a saviour. The third protagonist is also running and hiding from a horrific past, while an inconsequential character is shown running away from the teashop that he is employed in.

Amid all this, two protagonists — Hari (Asif Ali) and Ben (Arjun Ashokan) — seem to be having mysterious problems between them and are drifting apart from each other. Otta , Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty ’s directorial debut, is about runaway children and it is no surprise that these characters are in the film. It is supposed to be based on the real-life story of businessman and philanthropist S Hariharan, who runs the NGO Children Reunited, which has produced the film with Resul Pookutty Productions.

Otta (Malayalam)

But Kiron Prabhakar’s screenplay is hardly engaging and so uneven that their traumatic lives and sorry plight do not touch us in the way it was intended to be. It has characters plunging from one dark phase to another, with no ray of hope to be seen anywhere. Of course, the narrative being bereft of hope does not in any way become a commentary on the quality of the film, but here these events that follow one another appear quite mechanical and forced, just to serve the purpose of depicting the all-pervading bleakness in their lives.

Coupled with these are the seemingly philosophical ruminations on life that the characters indulge in at the drop of a hat. Much of these exchanges ring hollow. Some of the conflicts, especially the reasons for Ben’s drifting apart from Hari, are under-written and left to our imagination. At many points, one also wonders why their parents are so opposed to their friendship, other than the usual toxic trait of being unable to see their children having a good time. Some of their behaviour appears to be tailored just to make life difficult for the protagonists.

An ensemble cast, consisting of Sathyaraj, Rohini, Adil Hussain, Indrans, Renji Panicker, Mamata Mohandas, Divya Dutta, Jalaja and others make their appearance, but only some of them get characters having enough to do to even register in our minds. Despite its lofty intentions to highlight the plight of runaway children, Otta struggles to appeal to one’s emotions.

Otta is currently running in theatres

Related Topics

Malayalam cinema / Indian cinema

Top News Today

• Access 10 free stories every month
• Save stories to read later
• Access to comment on every story
• Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
• Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products

Terms & conditions   |   Institutional Subscriber

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

• WEB STORIES New
• ENTERTAINMENT
• CAREER & CAMPUS
• INFOGRAPHICS
• Paris 2024 Olympics

• Manorama Online
• Manorama News TV
• ManoramaMAX
• Radio Mango
• Subscription

• Entertainment

Oscar winner Resul Pookutty opens about his directorial debut 'Otta'

Resul Pookutty, who has been keenly watching and analyzing a lot of Indian and foreign films has a cautionary note to Malayalam cinema—if you know the history, beware, you might be throwing Malayalam cinema into the same state that Bollywood is in currently. Oscar winner Resul Pookutty’s first directorial 'Otta' is releasing in theatres on the 27th. He talks about his film which stars Asif Ali, Sathyaraj, and Arjun Asokan, as well as other career updates.

What is Otta all about? The film chronicles some of the events that took place in the life of Mumbai’s ‘Samathol’s founder S Hariharan who is a social worker. His organization finds missing children, hands them back to their parents, and also helps in rehabilitating them. Hariharan ran away from home as a child and lived in Chennai. His life-changing moment happened when he met someone there. Though he did go in search of that person later on, he couldn’t find him. Can this film help in finding him? 'Otta' is also searching for that friend.

You can relate to a lot of relationships in this film. Though the film also has actors from other languages, we aren’t going to dub the film in other languages. This film has a soul of its own so we will be releasing the film in other states and countries with subtitles.

'Kooman' needed a young ordinary cop: Jeethu Joseph

I signed up for '2018' without waiting to know about my role: Narain

How come you decided to make your directorial debut in Malayalam?   Interestingly a lot of people asked me this question. And that question really surprised me. My mother tongue is Malayalam and I have studied in a Malayalam medium school. There were three films in front of me to pick as my directorial debut. There was a Hindi film and an International project. I picked Malayalam as it will be easier to communicate with people.

Sound and music 'Otta' gives importance to music and new milieus. The Tamil lyrics were written by Vairamuthu sir. There are many divisions of Malayalam in this film. Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu lines are appearing in the film. Language for me is always about sounds. Indian cinema is always a blend of several languages. That for me is pan Indian cinema. Not dubbed films. We have used sync sound for 'Otta.'

What is happening in Bollywood? The main pillar of regional cinema would be their strong literary works. But for Hindi films, their main pillar is not Hindi literature. In the last 10 years, Bollywood has been ruled by a set of actors and filmmakers who create package films. There are only a few people who think differently. When 250 films are released only 8 become blockbusters. In the last few years, only 15 films a year have managed to get back the profits. Ever since the US-based production companies descended in Bollywood, instead of stories, there have been only package projects. That was a setback. In the current scenario, Malayalam films also might join that trend.

More than 200 films are released in Malayalam yearly. When so many films are released, that will affect the quality of films. Even Bollywood producers are willing to produce films in Malayalam after seeing our films. If you are aware of the history, be careful, quick bucks can divert your attention. Only those who make films keeping an eye on our topography and roots will sustain.

New projects I have been busy designing sound for 'Aadu Jeevitham', and some Kannada and Telugu films. Now the mixing of 'Aadu Jeevitham' is left. There is 'Pushpa 2' and a Hindi film pending. Currently, the story discussion of my next film is underway. There are plans to direct films in Hindi and Malayalam. My company is doing the Hindi remake of Premam. I might also be directing the film. Then there is a British film. Many people are approaching me to explore the various possibilities of sound. One country has even suggested collecting all their authentic sounds and turning them into a music form. I can only give out details after finalizing it. 

• Entertainment News
• Resul Pookutty
• Malayalam Cinema

'Manorathangal' series | My father understood woman's psyche well: Aswathy Nair on MT

Gaganachari's state award win was a complete surprise, says director Arun Chandu

Brilliant actor-director and doting father: Keya remembers dad Prathap Pothen | Onmanorama Exclusive

Anoop Menon was initially sceptical about 'Checkmate': Director Ratish Sekhar

'Indian 2' Malayali designer Satheeshan spent 4 months to make one costly costume for the film

Meet Alisha Rahman: From Mani Ratnam’s protege to future film star

'Paradise' actor Roshan Mathew says he is eagerly 'awaiting comedy roles'

I never thought 'Uyare' would be so well accepted: Parvathy Thiruvothu

Raai Laxmi makes her comeback in Mollywood, says Malayalam films certified her as an actor

Otta Malayalam Movie

Otta is a 2023 Indian movie directed by Rasool Pookutty starring Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Sathyaraj and Appukutty. The feature film is produced by Hariharan S and the music composed by M. Jayachandran.

Director: Rasool Pookutty Producer: Hariharan S Music Director: M. Jayachandran Song Lyrics Writer: Rafeeq Ahammed Cinematographer: Arun Varma Original Story Writer: Hariharan S

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

• Nashik Times
• Aurangabad Times
• Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

• Edit Profile
• Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

Jaya Bachchan reveals Prakash Mehra's frustration After stars like Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand and more rejected ‘Zanjeer’

Throwback: When Kareena Kapoor addressed her famous 'catfight' with Priyanka Chopra: 'The ’90s were full of it...'

Shah Rukh Khan’s study, located in a separate building behind Mannat, is filled with awards and a rare Batman figure, reveals RJ J Man

SRK, Aishwarya, Deepika, Ranbir: Behind the scenes moments with Bollywood stars

Throwback: When Katrina Kaif threatened to not marry Vicky Kaushal when he said THIS

Director Namrata Rao says Amitabh Bachchan's inputs were crucial in the docuseries 'Angry Young Men': "He was the third Angry Young Man"

• Movie Reviews

Movie Listings

Khel Khel Mein

Aliya Basu Gayab Hai

Ghuspaithiya

Hocus Focus

Auron Mein Kahan Dum T...

Top Kannada directors making waves in recent cinema

Nabha Natesh Unveils Her Bold New Fashion Era Looks

Pictures of Ruhani Sharma that will steal your hearts

Surveen Chawla: Transitioning from shows to Punjabi films

In pics: Ritu Varma dazzles in glamorous outfits

Mom-to-be Rubina Bajwa's Most Surreal Suit Looks

Mithila Purohit wows with these gorgeous pics

Who is Imanvi? Prabhas' co-star in 'Fauji'

Manasi Parekh's most dazzling pics

Sreeleela Teases the Fashion World with Her Calm and Classy Lehenga Collection

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillr...

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Th...

Borderlands

It Ends With Us

The Instigators

Project Silence

Modern Masters: SS Raja...

Mothers' Instinct

Sleeping Dogs

Kottukkaali

Demonte Colony 2

Raghu Thatha

Nanban Oruvan Vantha Pi...

Mazhai Pidikkatha Manit...

Mr.Bachchan

Purushothamudu

Sarangadhariya

Prabuthwa Junior Kalash...

Music Shop Murthy

Bhaje Vaayu Vegam

Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi

Roopanthara

Family Drama

Back Bencherz

Manikbabur Megh: The Cl...

Rajnandini Paul and Ama...

Chaalchitra Ekhon

Nayan Rahasya

Teriya Meriya Hera Pher...

Kudi Haryane Val Di

Shinda Shinda No Papa

Sarabha: Cry For Freedo...

Zindagi Zindabaad

Maujaan Hi Maujaan

Chidiyan Da Chamba

White Punjab

Any How Mitti Pao

Gharat Ganpati

Ek Don Teen Chaar

Danka Hari Namacha

Aamhi Jarange

Vishay Hard

Swargandharva Sudhir Ph...

Naach Ga Ghuma

Juna Furniture

Devra Pe Manva Dole

Dil Ta Pagal Hola

Ittaa Kittaa

Jaishree Krishh

Bushirt T-shirt

Shubh Yatra

Your Rating

Write a review (optional).

• Movie Reviews /
• Malayalam /

Would you like to review this movie?

Cast & Crew

Ottam Movie Review

• Times Of India

Ottam - Official Trailer

Ottam | Song - Swagathamothunnu

Ottam | Song - Ariyarakkumbam

Ottam | Song - Aaromal

Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Ankush Mathur 1545 days ago

RC 1579 days ago

Happytimes user 1586 days ago.

yaseen sharif 1595 days ago

Vivek chandra 1609 days ago, visual stories.

From Mt. Kailash to Uluru: 8 sacred mountains from around the world

Entertainment

Weight Loss: 10-minute breakfast ideas for 7 days of the week

​Gulshan Grover's reign as Bollywood’s ultimate villain​

10 unique pet dog names inspired by Greek mythology

Anjali Tatrari's unmissable sarees and lehengas

​9 things you might not know about Sai Baba​

8 parenting tips to borrow from your grandparents

News - Ottam

Ottam movie review highlights

'I could connect my life with the plot of Ottam,' says ...

Ottam trailer is a journey of love, heartbreak and unio...

Madhu Balakrishnan sings for 4 Musics

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get reviews of the latest theatrical releases every week, right in your inbox every Friday.

Thanks for subscribing.

Please Click Here to subscribe other newsletters that may interest you, and you'll always find stories you want to read in your inbox.

Popular Movie Reviews

Nadanna Sambavam

Level Cross