Two Countries

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Ullas (Dileep), a cunning procrastinator in his late 30s who makes a living by deceiving people in his hometown. Money is the only motivator that works for him and he wants it without any risks. For making money he decides to marry a disabled women, Simran. But when better proposal comes from an Indo-Canadian Malayali woman Laya, he chooses that. Immigration to Canada and easy money allures him. Only later does Ullas comes to the knowledge that Laya is a chronic alcoholic. The knowledge of funds deposited in her name, that Laya cannot claim due to her alcoholism, and the possibility of access entices him however and he adjusts with the troubles. In time Ullas falls in love with his alcoholic wife, and the call of a husband makes him care for Laya even in troubles. Laya comes to knowledge about Ullas's original plan through Avinash, Ullas's friend, accidentally. This leads to a divorce case. Initially Ullas gains the upper hand from the court, citing his wife is an alcoholic and she needs treatment and that the divorce case is resistance towards it. Laya gets treated through a de-addiction center. By the guidance of the doctor, Ullas goes with the divorce process to help Laya. Ullas returns and decides to marry Simran. Later Laya understands about the role of Ullas for her wellness, through certain unexpected turn of events they become together again.

Production

Originally, the film was entitled Canadian Tharavu, but this was later changed to "Two Countries" in August 2015. Principal photography started in July 2015 in Canada by CanEast Films Ottawa., About 80 percent of the film was shot in Ottawa at locations like ByWard Market, Rideau Canal, Almonte, Manotick, Brockville and Niagara Falls. Filming in Canada was completed on August 6, 2015. A large part of the film was shot in Ottawa, Montreal and a song sequence was filmed at Niagara Falls, becoming the second Malayalam film that shot Niagara, after I. V. Sasi directed Ezham Kadalinakkare in 1979. Filming took place over the course of a month. The second schedule for filming held in Kochi, Kerala. The filming was finished in November 2015..Namitha Pramod signed into play second female lead but was by Isha Talwar.

Release

The film was released in Kerala on 25 December 2015 in the Christmas day. It released in theatres outside Kerala from 22 January 2016, and released in 63 screens in the United kingdom on January 29.

Reception

The Times of India rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated "Packaged with umpteen laugh-out-loud moments, Two Countries is definitely what one would expect from a Dileep movie. The screenplay by Rafi is clean, situational humour with clever quips and the actors hit the ball out of the park with their comic timing".

Box office

The film received a good opening at the box office, grossing ₹10 crore (US$1.5 million) from theaters within five days. It grossed ₹17.8 crore (US$2.6 million) in twenty days from the Kerala box office. After 40 days, the film had collected more than ₹30 crore (US$4.5 million) from Kerala alone and the worldwide gross would come in much higher after adding the earnings from the rest of India and overseas markets. By this time, film already achieved the status of being one of the highest-grossing film in Malayalam. It grossed an estimated sum of ₹31.54 crore (US$4.7 million) with a net amount of ₹24.98 crore (US$3.7 million) from 60 theatres in Kerala after 44 days, with a worldwide collection of ₹50 crore (US$7.4 million). After 60 days, worldwide gross was over ₹55 crore (US$8.2 million).

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack contains 3 songs, all composed by Gopi Sundar and Lyrics by B. K. Harinarayanan.