Usurae Movie Review: Love’s Price and Its Consequences

Usurae Movie Review: Love’s Price and Its Consequences

 

Usurae is a love-centric film written and directed by Naveen D Gopal, and produced by Mouli M Radhakrishna. The film features music composed by Kiran Joze, which adds a soft and emotional layer to the narrative. Set in a semi-rural backdrop, Usurae explores the complexities of love, family, and greed through a unique storyline that revolves around a single mother and a romantic conflict.

The plot revolves around Anasuya (played by Manthra), a strong and protective single mother raising her daughter Ranjana (Janany Kunaseelan). On the other side is Raghava (Teejay Arunasalam), a carefree young man deeply loved by his mother, Nagamma (Senthil Kumari), and father. Raghava and Ranjana are neighbors, and Raghava soon falls in love with her. However, their love faces strong opposition from Anasuya, who insults Raghava and even slaps him in front of everyone.

As the story progresses, Ranjana tells Raghava that her mother is grasping with money, hinting that if he could arrange ₹10 lakhs, she might accept their relationship. Believing in his love, Raghava collects the money and hands it over. Anasuya then pretends to accept the marriage and returns the money, giving an innocent explanation. But in a shocking twist, Raghava is mysteriously murdered soon after, raising the suspense, who killed him and why?

The film slightly mirrors real-life incidents often reported on news channels, where certain women exploit marriage for financial gain by marrying multiple men. However, Usurae sets itself apart by portraying Ranjana as a sincere and devoted partner, genuinely in love with Raghava. Her emotional honesty becomes the heart of the film, standing in sharp contrast to the manipulative and materialistic nature of her mother, Anasuya. As the story progresses, the suspense intensifies, keeping viewers intrigued until the truth behind Raghava’s shocking murder is finally revealed.

Performance-wise, Teejay Arunasalam, originally from London, impresses with his natural portrayal of a village youth. His innocent expressions and body language suit the character perfectly. Janany Kunaseelan looks beautiful on screen and delivers a convincing performance as a torn lover. Manthra makes a strong comeback, taking on a fierce and layered role as the mother. Senthil Kumari also brings depth to her character as the affectionate mother of Raghava. Technically, the film is well-crafted, with subtle music by Kiran Joze enhancing the emotional moments without overwhelming the scenes.