GROWING SISTERHOOD OF INDIAN CINEMA

AS I write this piece, Christo Tomy's Malayalam film Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) is riding a rightful wave of appreciation.

- NAMRATA JOSHI

It's about two flawed but wonderful women-Leelamma and her daughter-in-law Anju-who confront the secrets and betrayals underlying their relationship and rise above them to find strength and support in each other, the film is an unusual exploration of female solidarity in adversity. Two powerful actors-Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu are in perfect sync in por traying their characters' fractious fondness for each other.

Earlier this year, Shuchi Talati's Girls Will Be Girls showcased Mira and her mother Anila braving their stormy relationship to discover that they are each other's greatest allies. Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti pin down the tumult and the tenderness of a complicated mother-daughter bond to perfection.