Usha Thenginthodiyil

Usha Thenginthodiyil, a name that pops up if you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of Malayalam cinema from the 90s. She’s got this knack for slipping into roles that stick with you—no matter how small or weirdly niche the character. Take “Nagarathil Samsara Vishayam” from ’91. The film’s basically a wild ride through the ups and downs of family drama, with Usha handling her part like she’s lived a hundred versions of that life already. It’s not just about her looking sad or worried, either—there’s a spark, a bite to her delivery that keeps things from ever feeling dull. Jump to “Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Aana” in ’95, and it’s a different vibe altogether. The movie is this oddball mix of comedy and chaos, a little bit bonkers, honestly, and Usha? She rolls with it. There’s this energy she brings, like she’s in on the joke but also playing it straight enough to keep the plot from flying off the rails. And then there’s “Ponnaranjanam” from 1990—a drama that takes itself way more seriously, and honestly, she just nails the emotional beats. There’s this rawness to her performance, like she’s not acting at all, just reacting. That’s the thing with her: she doesn’t chew scenery or go overboard, but she makes you look twice. Even if you’re not a diehard fan, you remember her face, her voice, the way she says a line like she means it. That’s Usha for you—quietly unforgettable, even in the chaos of 90s Malayalam cinema.