Sometimes, a film doesn’t try to impress—it just tells its story in its own weird little way. Uppu Kappurambu, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, does exactly that. Set in a 90s village, it takes a bizarre issue—a graveyard running out of space —and turns it into something funny, emotional, and surprisingly relatable.
The story begins with the death of Subbaraju, the village head. His daughter Apoorva (Keerthy Suresh), who just wants to catch some sleep, is suddenly pushed into his role. It's a family tradition—no one asks if she’s ready. Meanwhile, we meet Chinna (Suhas), the village grave caretaker, who takes care of the final rites of the dead. At Apoorva’s very first panchayat meeting, he raises an odd but serious issue —only a few burial spots are left.
That’s when things start getting chaotic. Villagers begin panicking over where they’ll be buried, lottery systems are introduced, and pride, fear, and long-standing village egos take over.
What works is how naturally the humour fits in. No forced jokes. The comedy comes straight from how absurd the situations get. From graveyard bidding wars to confused public meetings, the madness feels entertaining without losing its grounding.
Suhas does a great job. His character isn’t loud or overly emotional—but his bond with his mother brings warmth to the story. Rameshwari, who plays his mother, leaves a good impact in her limited screen time. Keerthy Suresh starts off feeling a bit out of place—her body language and behaviour are a bit too quirky at first— but as the film goes on, she gets into the groove. Her character isn’t someone trying to be a leader— she’s just trying to handle whatever’s thrown at her, and that works.
There’s one moment in particular that sticks—when villagers start painting the graves of their ancestors to claim them. It’s a simple act, but it quietly speaks volumes. Even after death, people still find ways to draw lines—caste, status, ownership—everything still matters.
Of course, the film isn’t flawless. The first half could’ve been more engaging. Some scenes drag, and the pacing wobbles. A little more emotional weight across the film would’ve made it stronger. But even with its flaws, it doesn’t get boring.
It’s not the kind of story you come across often, and definitely not the kind we usually see in Telugu OTT space. It’s a simple, weird, emotional ride—and sometimes, that’s enough.
Verdict:
Uppu Kappurambu is a quirky and simple film with a fresh concept. It’s not perfect, but it keeps you watching. If you’re okay with something different and offbeat, it’s worth a shot.
Rating: 3/5
