Uppu Kappurambu Review: Keerthy Suresh starrer is entertaining political satire but loses its charm arbitrarily

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Here it goes: The much-anticipated movie “Uppu Kappurambu,” starring Keerthy Suresh, has arrived and can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video! This social comedy also stars Suhas as the co-lead, and is directed by Ani IV Sasi, who is the son of the late Malayalam filmmaker IV Sasi.

Is the politically-charged, humorous show a good use of your valuable time? Here’s a critique from TopMob to give you some insights.

The Plot

In the made-up hamlet called Chitti Jayapuram, you’ll find a colorful array of peculiar characters who adhere to their own unique traditions and beliefs rooted in superstitions. After the sad demise of her father, Apoorva (Keerthy Suresh) assumes the leadership role, becoming the Village Head.

In my role as a lifestyle guide, I find myself in an unusual predicament. Though I grapple with social anxiety and prefer to keep a low profile, fate has placed me at the helm of our quaint village, presenting a unique challenge: the local cemetery is rapidly running out of burial spaces.

In the heart of the tale, Chinna (Suhas) assists her in resolving a problem, all while dealing with challenges posed by two powerful, ambitious figures, Bheemayya and Madhubabu. This struggle becomes the main focus of the narrative.

The Good

Without a doubt, it’s clear that the author, Vasanth Maringanti, takes center stage as the main character in Uppu Kappurambu. By masterfully creating the setting, he weaves the tale of Chitti Jayapuram with such genuine detail that viewers find themselves accepting the characters’ quirks without hesitation.

Additionally, the author skillfully creates well-defined characters by assigning each one distinctive traits, thereby making every individual stand out in the bustling community.

The movie touches upon various social and political concerns, such as misogyny, feminism, religious tensions, caste discrimination, and political dynasties, among others. Yet, these themes are skillfully integrated within the narrative without appearing contrived or out of place.

In addition, Ani IV Sasi’s direction contributes significantly to making the village feel authentic and vibrant. The village setting, characters, and scenarios harmoniously blend together, which is crucial when creating a political satire.

To properly credit the film’s post-production process, it is essential to highlight the impressive editing work by Sreejith Sarang. This skilled editor skillfully knitted the movie together, creating a harmonious flow throughout the production.

In addition, Production Designer Sri Nagendra Tangala, Art Designer Prasad Penumarty, and Set Designer Laxmi Tamang merit particular recognition. The vividness of the imaginary village portrayed on screen was a testament to their unparalleled dedication and hard work.

The movie’s camerawork accomplishes its intended purpose perfectly, neither exceeding nor falling short. Divakar Mani skillfully operated the camera during the filming process. Similarly, Sweekar Agasthi crafted a background score that fulfilled its role admirably for the movie.

In some instances, the music seems to harmonize well, but at other times, it appears to overpower the scene, almost compelling the viewers to experience specific emotions.

The Bad

The main problem with Ani IV Sasi’s Uppu Kappurambu lies in its sound design, which attempts too much and feels quite similar to comedies from the ’90s and early 2000s. It was overly bombastic, not because of volume, but due to poor quality.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that as the movie progresses, it begins to follow a typical pattern found in other socio-political films, which is an aspect that cannot be overlooked when discussing its writing.

In a similar vein as movies such as Yogi Babu’s Mandela and Rajkumar Rao’s Newton, it follows a familiar pattern. However, there’s a brief transition where the tone changes from humor to seriousness, making the movie more didactic or moralistic in nature for a while.

As a devoted admirer, I must acknowledge that, despite the minor imperfections, the two hours and sixteen minutes spent on Uppu Kappurambu were well worth it.

The Performances

At Uppu Kappurambu’s performances, it’s crucial to highlight Suhas as he brilliantly played the role of the main character, Chinna. Chinna is a cheerful gravedigger who often chats with the dead to break the tedium of his everyday life.

Moreover, he understands that his mother’s life is drawing to a close, and he battles to grant her final desire. Chinna’s character carries such richness, filled with unrealized dreams, dreams he recognizes might forever remain unfulfilled.

Suhas masterfully plays his character, leaving the spectators emotionally moved at times, even causing them to shed tears, while making them laugh out loud in other instances.

In terms of Keerthy Suresh’s portrayal, she delivered well in the role given to her. However, it’s important to note that satirical roles often involve a touch of quirkiness. Unfortunately, her initial performance in the film was overly quirky, which left the audience feeling uncomfortable.

Yet, after the actress starts getting comfortable with her role, roughly at the 30-minute point, she turns out to be quite entertaining to behold, as her peculiar actions enrich the character of Apoorva too.

In the movie, it’s worth noting Babu Mohan and Shatru, often referred to as Bheemayya and Madhubabu respectively, play significant roles. These two characters, who could be seen as the main adversaries, are self-serving individuals with a strong desire for power. They find it difficult to accept that the village leader is a woman and aspire to seize the position for themselves.

In the TV series Uppu Karppurambu, both actors deliver impressive performances as they bring their feuding lord characters to life. Notably, all other cast members in this production also excel in portraying their individual roles convincingly.

Watch the trailer here

The Verdict

Without a doubt, Uppu Karppurambu ranks among the most outstanding political satires produced lately. Though it has its imperfections, the movie truly shines through its well-crafted characters and the nuanced manner in which it tackles societal problems.

1. The movie should be seen by more people, not just because of its impressive technical features, but for the meaningful message it delivers and the way it communicates that message.

2. Uppu Kappurambu is certain to make you laugh heartily, but it also encourages deep thought about various socio-political circumstances we face in our everyday lives.

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2025-07-04 12:07