Ulsavapittennu

Ulsavapittennu

Year: 1989

Runtime: 114 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Gopi

ComedyDrama

Aniyan Thampuran, a naive heir of a once‑royal Kerala family, inherits his brother Chettan’s crushing debts after the latter’s sudden death. Forced to surrender his house and assets, Aniyan spirals into poverty. He discovers his wife Parvathy’s marriage to his friend Balan was driven by her family’s destitution, a betrayal that drives him to a tragic suicide.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Ulsavapittennu yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Ulsavapittennu (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ulsavapittennu (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Poovulla Kovilakom, village

The story centers on the grand Brahmin family compound Poovulla Kovilakom and the temple festival that frames its annual rhythms. The estate and its temple act as hubs of tradition, honor, and social scrutiny. The surrounding village atmosphere amplifies caste norms and communal expectations that shape every major decision.

🏠 Brahmin household 🕍 Temple festival 🌾 Rural life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:38

Main Characters – Ulsavapittennu (1989)

Meet the key characters of Ulsavapittennu (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ravi (Sukumaran)

Ravi, known as Ettan Thampuran, is the patriarch whose reckless management drives mounting debts and family tension. His extramarital affair and domineering nature contribute to a high-pressure household that frays at the edges. His sudden death from a snakebite catalyzes the final unraveling of Poovulla Kovilakom.

🏠 Patriarch 💔 Scandal 🐍 Tragedy

Madhavan Kutty (Jagathy Sreekumar)

Madhavan Kutty is Aniyan Thampuran's lower-caste friend who embodies rebellion against rigid social codes. His elopement with Indira triggers village gossip and exposes caste tensions. He represents a freer, impulsive streak within the community that unsettles traditional norms.

🤝 Friendship 🧬 Caste 🔥 Rebellion

Balan Master (Devan)

Balan Master is a college professor who befriends Aniyan and encourages him to speak up and express his opinions courageously. He stands as a modern, reformist voice amid traditional constraints. His guidance foreshadows the changes Aniyan seeks within the family and village.

🎓 Mentor 🗣️ Courage 💡 Modernity

Karthika (Parvathi)

Karthika is Aniyan's wife from the Nair caste who offers steadfast support and stability. She navigates the pressures of marriage and caste expectations with quiet strength. In the end, she mourns yet remains a pillar for the memory of her late husband.

💞 Spouse 💡 Loyalty 🌸 Caste

Pangunni Nair (Sankaradi)

Pangunni Nair is the conniving caretaker whose scheming adds to the family's troubles. He embodies the underhanded pressure and manipulation that complicates the household's finances. His presence highlights the corruption that can thrive in vulnerable circles.

🕵️‍♂️ Manipulation 🏚️ Household 💼 Corruption

Bhageerathi (Sukumari)

Bhageerathi is a senior matriarch whose voice anchors tradition within the family. She represents elderly wisdom and the weight of ancestral expectations. Her role reminds of the social guardrails that govern behavior.

👵 Matriarch 🏛️ Tradition 🔒 Authority

Kalyaniyamma (Kaviyoor Ponnamma)

Kalyaniyamma is a senior family member whose presence highlights caste, class, and kinship dynamics. She embodies the old-world boundaries that the younger generation pushes against. Her stance reflects the social order that sustains the family.

🧓 Elder 🗝️ Status 🏷️ Caste

Pushpangadan (Kuthiravattam Pappu)

Pushpangadan is the household caretaker whose actions contribute to the power struggles within the family unit. He adds another layer of complexity to the domestic theater. His role underscores the influence of service staff in large households.

🧰 Steward 🌀 Influence 🧨 Conflict

Muthassi (Philomina)

Muthassi is the grandmother who carries the history and rituals of the family. Her perspective provides a bridge to memory and tradition across generations. She embodies the continuity of values amid upheaval.

👵 Grandmother 📜 Tradition 🕊️ Wisdom

Rajan (Jayaram)

Rajan is a friend of Aniyan who embodies the complexities of modern desires and personal crisis. His choices contribute to village reactions to changing norms and the tension between tradition and personal liberty.

🤝 Friend 💡 Crisis 🧱 Change

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:38

Major Themes – Ulsavapittennu (1989)

Explore the central themes of Ulsavapittennu (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏠 Family Duty

The tale threads duty to family and legacy through a once-proud household now facing debt and ruin. Personal desires are routinely sidelined to preserve appearances and survival. The tension between tradition and individual choice drives key conflicts, including the patriarch's missteps and the younger generation's attempts to push back.

⚖️ Caste & Society

Caste distinctions and social expectations shape who marries whom and how households operate. Aniyan's inter-caste marriage with Karthika tests inherited norms, while Madhavan Kutty's elopement exposes rigid social codes. These pressures reveal the rigid social order that governs village life.

💔 Tragedy & Loss

A cascade of misfortune undercuts the family balance: mismanagement, betrayals, and searing losses. Ettan Thampuran's death and Aniyan's eventual suicide seal the collapse of the once-esteemed lineage. The ending focuses on memory, resilience, and the widow's resolve to honor her late husband.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:38

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Ulsavapittennu

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ulsavapittennu in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ulsavapittennu is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ulsavapittennu Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ulsavapittennu, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ulsavapittennu Summary

Ulsavapittennu Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ulsavapittennu with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ulsavapittennu Timeline

More About Ulsavapittennu

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Ulsavapittennu: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Ulsavapittennu

Similar Movies to Ulsavapittennu

Discover movies like Ulsavapittennu that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.