Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol 2017

Ulahannan, a middle-aged secretary in Keezhattur panchayat, finds himself stuck in a life that no longer excites him, and he emotionally drifts away from his wife Annyamma. The two drift apart, sharing a bed less and less often, while Ulahannan drifts through a monotonous routine: dozing on the bus to the office, surrounded by a crew of idle coworkers, and a recurring encounter with Lillykutty, who flirts with him from time to time. Each night, he retreats to his terrace where he and a handful of neighbors—Venukuttan, Jacobettan, [Monai], and Benny—drink away the hours and exchange stories that rarely lift their spirits. The sense that life could offer more lingers in the backdrop as the days blend into one another.

At the urging of an old friend, Ulahannan agrees to attend a college alumni reunion, a decision that becomes a turning point. There, he crosses paths with his former lover, Indulekha, whose memories of college life as a fiery activist illuminate how far his life has strayed. Indulekha recognizes him as the same man he once was, even as she observes the quiet disappointment etched across his face. She counsels him to rekindle his passion and vitality, hinting that a more authentic love could still redeem his days. Motivated by her words, Ulahannan resolves to change his life and seeks guidance from Venukuttan, a charming philanderer who has his own way of coping with trouble. Venukuttan, curious and a little competitive, promises to introduce Ulahannan to a circle of his girlfriends and to impart tricks he believes will reignite his confidence.

Meanwhile, Ulahannan’s professional life intersects with Julie, an alluring NRI whom he begins to correspond with through messages and calls. Julie’s magnetism draws Ulahannan into a burgeoning secret, and he begins to rely on daily communication to feel desired again. But Venukuttan watches with a twinge of envy as Julie’s attention seems to outshine any of his own paramours. The tension grows when Julie’s husband, Augustine, arrives, injecting a fresh wave of anxiety into Ulahannan’s precarious arrangement. Ulahannan soon learns a hard truth: Julie is a flirt who keeps multiple men in her orbit, and he is simply another name on her long list of contacts.

On a night fueled by alcohol, Venukuttan teases Ulahannan about his fragile romantic gambit. Provoked, Ulahannan dares Venukuttan to place a call to one of his own girlfriends and hand over the phone to hear the response. After hesitating, Venukuttan makes the call. To his shock, Ulahannan hears the voice on the other end and realizes that the caller is actually his wife, [Annyamma], speaking in a romantic tone. The moment shatters his self-delusion, and he erupts in anger at Venukuttan. Yet the tension deepens when a voice with an alluring timbre—the voice of Jacobettan—answers the line. He discovers that Annyamma has been singing in her kitchen for a recording being watched by others, her talent unexpectedly rekindling memories of the young, vibrant Annyamma Ulahannan once knew. The revelation stuns him and begins to melt the resentment he has carried for so long.

The next morning, Ulahannan slips away in disguise to the church to offer thanks for a vow he made during his trouble with Julie. After praying, he catches the scent of his beloved wife’s perfume, though he cannot see her clearly as she is veiled by her sari. He muses about her beauty and even asks Jacobettan if he might glimpse her, but as he moves away, the veil of anonymity parts to reveal Annyamma herself. The moment crystallizes a simple truth he had forgotten: he has a remarkable wife, and he has neglected her for far too long.

Trouble at home resurfaces when a gift appears in Jini’s wardrobe, prompting Ulahannan and Annyamma to discuss Jini’s recent changes in behavior. They fear for their daughter’s safety and social influences, and they decide to investigate more closely. Their concern intensifies as they learn that Jini has grown close to a young man introduced through mutual friends. The fear deepens as Ulahannan and Annyamma watch over Jini’s movements, hoping to guide her toward healthier choices while protecting her studies. One day Ulahannan waits outside Jini’s school and sees her ride off with a new companion toward a hotel. Disguised, he sits in the establishment and overhears his daughter’s breakup with her boyfriend, who declares that she should focus on studying and will have time for love after marriage. The moment shakes Ulahannan, but he consoles his daughter with a hug, telling her that he is not worried about her behavior. Jini affirms that her boyfriend may not understand love as well as her father does. The scene becomes a turning point, prompting Ulahannan and Annyamma to resolve that the family must lean on love and responsibility to weather life’s temptations.

In the days that follow, Ulahannan and Annyamma share a renewed commitment to their marriage and to their daughter’s future. They plan a quiet retreat to a vineyard, hoping to witness the sprouts of new life in the grapevines as a symbol of renewal and growth. The story closes on a note of restorative honesty: Annyamma accepts responsibility for the family’s missteps and reaffirms the belief that children grow up best when they witness their parents’ love and tenderness. The tale leaves the family standing together, ready to face tomorrow with a more enduring bond and a clearer sense of shared purpose.