Uyare – Movie Review
Uyare is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Manu Ashokan, written by Bobby & Sanjay and produced by the sister-trio Shenuga, Shegna, and Sherga. The film stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Asif Ali and Tovino Thomas. Music was done by Gopi Sundar, Cinematography by Mukesh Muraleedharan and edited by Mahesh Narayanan. The story follows the life of Pallavi Raveendran (Parvathy), an aviation student who survived an acid attack that disfigured her face and jeopardized her career.
Uyare was released in India on 26 April 2019. It received widespread critical acclaim and was a major box office success of the year in Malayalam. It was nominated for the Best Debut Feature Film of a director at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held from 20 to 28 November 2019.
The story revolves around the life of Pallavi Raveendran (Parvathy Thiruvothu), a girl whose ambition is to become a pilot. She is in love with Govind Balakrishnan (Asif Ali), who is highly possessive of her. She gets admission at a pilot training centre in Mumbai. However, after completing her training successfully and when she is set to embark on her flying career, her life changes; she is attacked by Govind, who throws acid on her face as revenge. Pallavi’s face is disfigured and her eyesight is damaged, she loses her flying license and her dreams come shattering down.
Pallavi takes her case to court but is dismissed since there is not enough proof that Govind is the one who disfigured her. She goes back home and her friend at the academy insists on taking a flight to instil courage back in Pallavi. She meets Vishal Rajashekharan (Tovino Thomas) again on the flight and reveals what happened to her. Vishal tries to assure her that she can be anything she wants, but is quickly shut down by Pallavi, who says, that’s only possible if you’re beautiful. After the flight, Vishal decides to take up the challenge and puts forward the idea of hiring her as cabin crew on account of her efficiency. Despite resisting the offer, she decides to give in and begins training as an air hostess with her friend.
On her first flight, in spite of all her apprehensions, she is welcomed warmly by the passengers. This flight becomes the pivotal part of the plot when the pilot loses consciousness and Pallavi courageously steps into the shoes of the pilot and steers the aircraft. What unfolds next forms the climax of the movie.
This movie highlights the different elements of patriarchy which is subtle and misunderstood to be care and affection.
a. An obsessive and chauvinist partner who wants Pallavi to conform to his ideals, which is a red flag always in a relationship
b. When Pallavi denies continuing her relationship with her partner, her consent is not respected but ego plays its evil role
c. When the court turns a blind eye to Pallavi due to lack of evidence, which happens with a lot of cases shows the inadequacy in the system
d. A girl is always at the receiving end of the crime she is subjected to
How much longer are we going to misguide our girls and boys? During this lockdown watch Uyare on Amazon Prime.
Durga will be suggesting a movie every week for a meaningful watch! More power to you, Parvathy and Tovino Thomas