Acclaimed actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, who earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Critics’ Choice Awards 2025 for her powerful performance in Ullozhukku, recently opened up about her intense journey while working on the Malayalam film. In an interview with the Film Critics Guild, she reflected on the physical and emotional toll the role took on her, her evolving dynamic with director Christo Tomy, and how the film reshaped her understanding of vulnerability and regret.
Parvathy recalled a pivotal moment in the film that unexpectedly drew from her real-life physical discomfort. She described how, during the emotionally charged interval scene where her character Anju desperately asks, “Is this my son’s baby?”, she was battling a bout of vertigo on set. Instead of letting it derail her performance, she channeled the dizziness into the character’s emotional state. “I had shallow breathing because of the vertigo, and weirdly, that worked in my favor. It made me feel Anju’s guilt and vulnerability more instinctively than I ever could have planned,” she explained.
The actress also spoke candidly about the creative clashes she had with director Christo Tomy. She described how they often misunderstood each other, leading to tense moments on set. “There were days when we had to stop shooting for 30 to 45 minutes because we were completely done with each other,” she admitted. “Now, when we meet, we laugh about it, but back then, it was tough. It was about trusting the process, even when we weren’t seeing eye to eye. In the end, we pushed through because we both believed in the story we were telling.”
Parvathy delved deeper into her emotional journey with the character of Anju, a woman grappling with guilt, grief, and the weight of her past decisions. Initially, she felt no personal connection to Anju. But over time, she began recognizing subtle parallels between her own life and Anju’s struggles. “At first, I didn’t see any similarities. But slowly, I noticed microscopic connections — especially in the poor choices I’ve made and the consequences I’ve had to live with. That realization hit me hard. It’s rare to walk away from a role feeling like you’ve gained a piece of yourself in the process.”
Directed by Christo Tomy, Ullozhukku — which translates to Undercurrent — explores complex family dynamics, unspoken secrets, and the emotional aftermath of tragedy. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, with veteran actress Urvashi delivering a standout performance alongside Parvathy. Supporting performances by Arjun Radhakrishnan, Alencier Ley Lopez, Prashanth Murali, and Jaya Kurup further enrich the narrative.
The film, which premiered in theaters on June 21, 2024, quickly garnered critical acclaim, particularly for the raw, layered performances by Urvashi and Parvathy. Critics praised the film’s unflinching exploration of moral ambiguity and its ability to balance emotional depth with visual poetry. Following its successful theatrical run, Ullozhukku landed on Prime Video on August 2, 2024, allowing a wider audience to experience its haunting, thought-provoking narrative.
As Parvathy continues to receive praise for her role — and with her Critics’ Choice Awards nomination adding momentum to her career — she remains reflective about the project’s impact on her. “It’s one of those rare films that stays with you, reshaping how you see yourself. Anju’s journey broke me open in ways I didn’t expect, and for that, I’m deeply grateful,” she said.
