Utharam

Utharam

Year: 1989

Runtime: 123 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: V. K. Pavithran

ThrillerMystery

Saleena, happily married to wealthy estate owner Mathew, unexpectedly takes her own life, leaving him in disbelief. Convinced there must be a hidden cause, Mathew enlists his journalist friend Balu—who also knew Saleena well—to investigate. Balu delves into her past, gathering clues to uncover the reason behind her tragic decision.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Utharam (1989)

Trace every key event in Utharam (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Selina's suicide at home

Selina shoots herself with her husband's gun on an otherwise ordinary day, ending her life at home. The police dismiss it as a freak accident, leaving Mathew bewildered about any hidden motive. The sudden loss shakes the family and sets the stage for an investigation.

Selina's house
2

Mathew's grief and descent into alcohol

In the wake of Selina's death, Mathew grows deeply troubled and withdrawn. He spirals into depression and drowns his pain in alcohol, letting his health and routines suffer. Those around him wonder if a motive might ever be found.

Home
3

Balachandran Nair begins the investigation

Balachandran Nair, a Delhi-based journalist and close friend of Mathew, decides to uncover the reasons behind Selina's suicide. He retraces her past, interviewing people who knew her and piecing together fragments of her life. His goal is to find a motive that the police may have missed.

4

Journey to Bengaluru for clues

Balu travels to Bengaluru to gather records and speak with former teachers and friends who knew Selina during her school days. He promises to keep Mathew informed through letters and calls as the investigation unfolds. The trip marks a shift from speculation to evidence.

Bengaluru
5

School principal reveals the hidden past

The school principal reveals that there was no bus accident; Selina was dismissed after it was found she was pregnant. The revelation reframes her history and suggests a secret that may have shaped her later life. Balu records this as a crucial turning point.

During school years Selina's school
6

Shyamala Menon shares memories

Balu meets Shyamala Menon, Selina's former schoolmate and best friend. She hesitates before recounting events from their school days and hints at a secret surrounding the pregnancy. Her testimony begins to connect the dots of Selina's hidden past.

During school years Past school setting
7

The truth about the pregnancy is revealed

Shyamala explains that Selina's father arranged for the delivery to hide the pregnancy, and Selina believed she was a virgin. She names her son Immanuel, meaning the son of the Holy Virgin Mary, and grows up unaware of the real circumstances. The child is moved to an orphanage without her knowledge.

Years ago Past
8

Memory loss after the car accident

Selina's father Antony moves the child to an orphanage, while Selina remains unaware of the true events. A car accident later causes Selina to lose memory of the pregnancy and her child, masking a painful truth for years to come. Her amnesia preserves the lie that shaped her life.

Years ago
9

The rag picker clue surfaces

On the day of Selina's inquiry, a rag picker boy is caught stealing from the house. Selina asks the boy for his name and the boy reveals himself as Immanuel Antony. The realization connects her past to a present encounter she had forgotten.

Day of the inquiry Selina's house
10

The moment of truth and tragedy

Seeing Immanuel after a decade as a rag picker, Selina suddenly realizes he is her son. Overwhelmed by the revelation, she is unable to cope and dies by suicide. The discovery reframes the entire investigation and Selina's life.

A decade after Immanuel's birth Home
11

Bal u shields Mathew from the truth

Balachandran decides not to reveal the full truth about Selina's past to Mathew in order to spare him further pain. The decision underscores the theme of memory, mercy, and the limits of knowing.

12

Love, discovery, and adoption

Shyamala and Balachandran fall in love as they pursue answers and locate Immanuel, Selina's son. They decide to adopt him, honoring Selina's memory and giving the boy a new family. The film ends with a hopeful union built on shared pasts and a second chance for Immanuel.

Ending

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:23

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