Uru (transl.Dhow) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by E. M. Ashraf. It features Mamukkoya, Manju Pathrose and Manoj K. U. in the lead roles. The film follows the story of an expatriate who was assigned to the supervision of Uru construction in Beypore and the challenges he meets during its manufacturing.[3]

Uru
Theatrical release poster
Directed byE. M. Ashraf
Written byE. M. Ashraf
Produced byMansoor Palloor
Starring
CinematographySreekumar Permbadavam
Edited byHari G. Nair
Music byKamal Prashanth
Production
company
Zams Production House
Distributed by72 Film Company
Release date
  • 3 March 2023 (2023-03-03)[1]
Running time
97 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

The principal photography took place in Beypore and Mahe. Uru was released in theatres on 3 March 2023.[4]

Plot

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Rashid is an expat who has spent several years working in the Gulf. He and his wife Ayisha have two children: the eldest son, Fatah, and the youngest daughter, Fasna. Rashid's Arbab has assigned him the construction of two Uru. He wants his son to join him in the construction of Uru, but Fatah is more interested in music. After returning from the Gulf, Rashid visits the Uru construction site and meets the head carpenter, Sreedharan Aashari, and other carpenters. Rashid's friend Assainar approaches him one day with a desire to make him a partner in Uru construction. But Rashid tells him that Arbab will not consent to this.

Meanwhile, Fatah's friend Alwyn is hospitalized due to drug addiction, and an inspector from the Beypore police station visits Fatah's house and questions his friends about him. Rashid is concerned about the delay in receiving money for the Uru construction. The police inspector visits the construction site and informs Rashid that Fatah should appear at the police station the next day. Rashid comes home upset, gets angry with Fatah, and beats him. Sreedharan, on the other hand, is struggling to properly pay the carpenters. The carpenters decide to stop Uru's construction since they have not received their wages on time. Sreedharan tells his problems to Achuthan, the assistant head carpenter.

Rashid learns of Arbab's death over the phone one day, which worsens his health problems. Sreedharan meets Rashid at home and takes him to Uru yard. Rashid tells Sreedharan about his struggles and financial problems. Sreedharan informs Fatah about Rashid's financial problems and that his house is going to be confiscated. Bhaskaran, the owner of the timber mill, comes to Rashid's house and asks him to return the amount of timber bought for the construction of Uru. Rashid tells Ayisha that he returned the money to Bhaskaran by pledging the house. Rashid approaches Assainar and requests financial assistance, but he refuses. Rashid also meets his friend Sakkir but does not receive the expected financial assistance.

Rashid meets with the bank manager to talk about the loan he took. But the manager informs him that the amount has increased significantly, including the interest, and the next day Rashid's house will be confiscated. At night, Rashid left the house without telling anyone and attempted suicide by jumping from the bridge into the Kallayi river. But, at the time, a few people passing by saved Rashid and brought him home.

When Rashid and his family begin to leave their home, Sreedharan arrives with Fatah and Ansar Ahmed, the secretary sent by Arbab's son. Arbab's son informs Rashid through a video message that there has been some delay due to his father's death. He also says that the construction of Uru should be completed soon and that the money for it will be given shortly. Sreedharan tells Rashid that Fatah is the reason for solving all the problems and that he should end his separation with his son.

Cast

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  • Mamukkoya as Sreedharan Aashari
  • Manju Pathrose as Ayisha
  • Manoj K. U. as Rashid
  • Rajendran Thayatt as Achuthan
  • Ajay Kallai as Ajayan, Achuthan's son and carpenter
  • Albert Alex as Bhaskaran
  • Arjun S. Kulathingal as Fatah
  • Ubaid Muhsin as Police inspector

Production

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Development

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Uru is produced by Mansoor Palloor, a former expat of Qatar, under the banner of Zams Production House.[5] The first-look poster for the film was released in September 2021 by writer K. P. Ramanunni.[6][7]

Filming

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The shooting of the film took place in Beypore and Mahe.[8][9]

Soundtrack

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Uru
Soundtrack album by
Kamal Prashanth
Released2023 (2023)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length7:53
LanguageMalayalam
LabelMillennium Audios

Kamal Prashanth composed the film's music.[8] Deepankuran Kaithapram composed the background score.[10] Gireesh Ambra wrote, composed, and sang the folk song "Hailesa Hailesa".[11][12]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Kannerkadalin Thirayil"Prabha VarmaKamal PrashanthSai Balan4:37
2."Hailesa Hailesa" (Folk song)Gireesh AmbraGireesh AmbraGireesh Ambra3:16

Release

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Theatrical

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The film was theatrically released in Kerala on 3 March 2023.[13][14]

Home media

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Highrich OTT obtained the digital rights of the film and began streaming it on 4 September 2023.[15][10]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Jithin of Manoramaonline wrote, "The film has a simple storyline. It tells about the hunger of the human mind for luxurious life, the trouble of the misunderstood new generation and the depth of family ties."[16] Subhash K. Jha of Times Now gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "In spite of its tendency to lapse into over-sentimentality, Uru is a fine attempt to serve up a heartwarming homily on the wages of sudden insolvency."[17]

Accolades

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Uru bagged three awards when the 4th Prem Nazir Film Awards were announced in 2022.[18][19] The film also received four awards from the Escol Malabar Film Fest Awards held in 2023.[20][21]

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2022 4th Prem Nazir Film Awards Special Jury Award E.M. Ashraf Won [22][23]
Best Social Responsibility Film Mansoor Palloor Won [22][23]
Best Lyricist Prabha Varma Won [22][23]
2023 Escol Malabar Film Fest Awards Best Actress Manju Pathrose Won [24][20]
Best Lyricist Prabha Varma Won [24][20]
Best Background Score Deepankuran Won [24][20]
Best Colourist Hari G. Nair Won [24][20]

References

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  1. ^ "Uru (2023) (2023) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date". in.bookmyshow.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ^ "UruU". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ^ Niaz, PK (27 January 2022). "Ex-Doha resident's film tells strong bonds between Indians and Arabs". The Peninsula. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  4. ^ "'ഉരു' മാർച്ച് 3ന് തിയറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക്, ട്രെയിലർ പുറത്തിറങ്ങി". Mathrubhumi. 24 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Film on Arab-Kerala maritime ties sailing soon for its global release". Gulf Today. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. ^ "'മൂത്താശാരി'യായി മാമുക്കോയ; 'ഉരു' പോസ്റ്റർ റിലീസ് ചെയ്തു". Mathrubhumi. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. ^ "മാമുക്കോയ മൂത്താശാരിയായി അഭിനയിച്ച 'ഉരു' പോസ്റ്റർ റിലീസ് ചെയ്തു". Janayugom Online. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b Web Desk (24 September 2021). "Former expatriate journalist's film 'Uru' to release soon". english.madhyamam.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  9. ^ Desk, C. T. "Film showcasing Arab-Kerala ties set for global release". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ a b "Uru | ഉരു (2023) - Mallu Release | Watch Malayalam Full Movies". Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Uru | Song - Hailesa Hailesa | Entertainment - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  12. ^ "ഗിരീഷ് ആമ്പ്രയുടെ നാടന്‍ ശീലുകള്‍". Janayugom Online. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Uru (2023) Movie: കാസ്റ്റ് & ക്രു, റിലീസ് ഡേറ്റ്, ട്രൈലെർ, സോങ്‌സ്, നിരൂപണം, ഉരു വാർത്തകൾ, ഫോട്ടോസ്, വീഡിയോസ് - Filmibeat Malayalam". FilmiBeat (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  14. ^ "ഉരു മാർച്ച് 3ന് റിലീസ്". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Uru Malayalam Movie OTT Release Date - HR OTT (Highrich) Bagged The Digital Online Streaming Rights". 9 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  16. ^ "കേരളത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രവും സംസ്കാരവും; ഉരു റിവ്യൂ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Uru Movie Review: Mamukkoya's Film Is Touching Though A Tad Trite Take On Indigence". TimesNow. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  18. ^ ഗാർഗി (13 February 2023). "മാമുക്കോയയുടെ വ്യത്യസ്ത വേഷവുമായി 'ഉരു' തിയേറ്ററുകളിലെത്തുന്നു". Malayalam Film News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  19. ^ "ഉരുവിന് പ്രേം നസീർ അവാർഡ്". www.doolnews.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e Admin (6 May 2023). "ഇഎംഎഫ്എഫ് അവാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു . ഉരുവിന് നാല് അവാർഡുകൾ .മാമുക്കോയക്ക് ലൈഫ് ടൈം അച്ചീവ്മെന്റ് അവാർഡ്". Silma.in. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  21. ^ "ഇഎംഎഫ്എഫ് അവാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു". Deshabhimani (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "പ്രേം നസീർ ചലച്ചിത്ര അവാർഡുകൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു; മികച്ച ചിത്രം വെള്ളം, മികച്ച നടൻ ഇന്ദ്രൻസ്, നടി നിമിഷ സജയൻ, സംവിധായകൻ പ്രജേഷ് സെൺ". Janmabhumi (in Malayalam). 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b c "Prem Nazir Film Awards: Indrans, Nimisha Sajayan win top honours; 'Vellam' bags best film". English.Mathrubhumi. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d ""ഉരു" വിന് നാല് അവാർഡ് - Panorama Flash". 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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