Sumathi Valavu on OTT: Does Arjun Ashokan's Appu unravel the mystery of the haunted road in Kerala?

Arjun Ashokan-led Sumathi Valavu is the latest Malayalam horror comedy to hit the digital space (streaming on Zee5 and OTTplay Premium). Helmed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar, the Malayalam film revolves around the spooky happenings on a particular road bend, which the locals believe are the antics of a ghost, named Sumathi. Arjun Ashokan plays a laid-back villager Appu, who also experiences paranormal happenings. So is Sumathi the ghost for real and does Arjun Ashokan’s Appu unravel the mystery of the haunted road? (Spoilers ahead, so stop reading now if you have not watched Sumathi Valavu yet)

What is the story of Sumathi Valavu

Set in the 1990s, Sumathi Valavu brings to life the spooky tale of a haunted road, which is based on a local lore. Appu and his friends also fear Sumathi’s wrath and avoid the road during nighttime. Nobody is known to have crossed the road during nighttime but for a woman named Malu who is said to have eloped with the help of Appu, a claim that he denies. Even amid the spooky happenings, the film focuses on Appu’s romantic tale with Bhama, who is also the sister of Malu

What happens in the climax of Sumathi Valavu

More drama gets added as Bhama’s family arranges her marriage with Bhadran, Appu’s long-standing Nemsis. In the climax, it is revealed that Bhama has gone missing with people assuming that she eloped with Appu. But Appu is present at the very house and he sets out to find her. However, Bhadran and cop Benjamin attack him. Bhadran wants to murder Appu at Sumathi Valavu but Benjamin warns him against it. However at Sumathi Valavu, it is shown that Appu fights back the two.

The next day, Malu returns to the village and tells everyone that Appu had no role in her elopement. The villagers then urge Bhama’s family to give into the wishes of the young couple and they do.

Even as happy scenes fill the screen, Appu thanks military man Mahesh (Gokul Suresh) for helping him the previous night. But Mahesh tells him that he is not that brave to venture into Sumathi Valavu in the night, now Appu is more confused about what happened the previous night. Arjun Ashokan’s Appu is as much in the dark about the mystery of Sumathi Valavu as the viewers.

Also read: Sumathi Valavu on OTT: Netizens criticise Arjun Ashokan film; says 'not all Malayalam films are well made...' 

Other than giving a backstory of how a pregnant Sumathi was sacrificed at that place, the film does not shed any light on the mysterious happening. Abhilash Pillai has scripted the film, which does not really do justice to its genre, as comedy works only in parts, and the horror path felt largely unexplored. The makers have already announced a prequel, Sumathi Valavu 2 The Origin, which might bring proper clarity.

FAQs

Q. Is Sumathi Valavu ghost real?

A. The film Sumathi Valavu is based on a local lore about a spooky place in Thiruvananthapuram which people believe is to be haunted.

Q. Where to watch Sumathi Valavu on OTT

A. You can watch Sumathi Valavu on Zee5 via OTTplay Premium.

Q. Which is better, SU from SO or Sumathi Valavu?

A. The Kannada film SU from SO won positive reviews from both viewers and critics. The Malayalam film Sumathi Valavu got negative feedback, especially after its OTT premiere.