Two Countries
Two Countries is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Shafi and written by Rafi, starring Dileep in the lead role as Ullas Kumar, an opportunistic young man from Kerala who engages in small-scale deceptions to fund his dream of emigrating to Canada, and Mamta Mohandas as Laya, a divorced non-resident Indian woman settled there.[1] The plot follows Ullas as he impersonates a prospective groom to secure a marriage with Laya, leading to comedic situations and personal growth upon relocating to Canada, where he confronts cultural clashes and reevaluates his life choices.[2] Released on December 25, 2015, the film runs for approximately 150 minutes and features supporting performances by Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese, and Mukesh, with music composed by Gopi Sundar.[3] Produced by M. Renjith under the banner of Rejaputhra Visual Media, it achieved commercial success at the box office, grossing approximately ₹50 crore worldwide,[4] and received praise for its humor and Dileep's portrayal, earning a 6.9/10 rating on IMDb from 2,848 users as of November 2025.[1] The film was remade in Telugu as 2 Countries in 2017, directed by N. Shankar and starring Sunil.[5]Synopsis and Characters
Plot
Ullas Kumar, a cunning and opportunistic young man from a small town in Kerala, India, approaches life with a singular focus on financial profit, often resorting to small-scale cons and schemes to achieve his goals of wealth and migration abroad. His philosophy dictates that every action must yield monetary benefit, leading him to plan a marriage with Simran, a disabled woman, to gain her family's wealth and secure a visa. However, he intercepts a marriage proposal intended for another by deceiving a priest, resulting in an arranged union with Laya, an affluent Indo-Canadian woman of Malayali descent whom he initially views solely as a ticket to prosperity in Canada.[6] Following the marriage, Ullas relocates to Canada, where stark cultural clashes emerge between his traditional Indian sensibilities and Laya's Westernized lifestyle, compounded by the revelation of her chronic alcoholism, which stems from personal traumas and strains their relationship from the outset.[7] Despite his initial mercenary intentions, Ullas gradually develops genuine affection for Laya as he navigates the challenges of her recovery process, including her struggles with addiction and emotional vulnerabilities, while adapting to life in a foreign land.[8] When Laya learns of Ullas's original plan through his friend Avinash, she initiates divorce proceedings, prompting Ullas to support her treatment while deciding to honor his prior commitment by preparing to marry Simran. Laya, realizing Ullas's positive influence on her recovery, returns to India, but Ullas initially rejects her. Ultimately, Simran's brother deceives Ullas to facilitate his reunion with Laya, leading to reconciliation and mutual growth. The narrative explores themes of cross-cultural relationships, personal redemption through empathy, and the triumph of authentic emotional bonds over superficial pursuits of wealth.[9]Cast
Dileep stars as Ullas Kumar, the cunning yet heartfelt protagonist whose opportunistic schemes drive much of the film's humor and emotional core. Initially portrayed as a procrastinator who cons locals for quick gains, Ullas's character arc showcases his evolution from self-serving opportunist to a devoted husband, blending comedy with heartfelt moments that underscore the film's romantic themes.[6] Mamta Mohandas plays Laya, a strong-willed Indo-Canadian woman grappling with personal demons, including alcoholism, which adds depth to the story's exploration of cross-cultural relationships. Born and raised in Canada, Laya embodies independence and resilience, with her arc focusing on addiction recovery and reconciling her cultural identity amid familial pressures, contributing significantly to the film's emotional resonance.[10] Her performance highlights the character's vulnerability and strength, balancing the comedy with poignant dramatic elements.[6] In supporting roles, Suraj Venjaramoodu portrays Jimmy, a taxi driver in Canada who becomes Ullas's friend and provides comic relief during his adjustment to life abroad.[11] Aju Varghese as Avinash offers additional levity as Ullas's best friend in India, enhancing the ensemble's humorous dynamics in the village sequences.[12] Mukesh appears as Simon, the president of the Ottawa Malayali association, bringing authoritative yet comedic presence to the Canadian expatriate community scenes.[13] Notable minor roles include family members that amplify the comedy across settings, such as Kalasala Babu as Ullas's father, whose exasperated reactions to his son's schemes add domestic humor in the Indian portions, and Vinaya Prasad as Revathi, contributing to Laya's familial backdrop in Canada with subtle cultural clashes.[11] These portrayals collectively enrich the film's tone, blending lighthearted banter with the leads' transformative performances.Production
Development
The screenplay for Two Countries was written by Rafi, who handled the dialogues, with Shafi directing the film.[1][14] The film was produced by M. Renjith under the banner of Rejaputhra Visual Media.[15] Initially titled Canadian Tharavu, the project underwent a title change to Two Countries during pre-production to better encapsulate the cultural and geographical divide between India and Canada that forms the story's core conflict.[16][17][18] This shift emphasized the film's exploration of cross-cultural misunderstandings and the allure of emigration among Malayalis. The production was allocated an approximate budget of ₹12 crore, with a notable emphasis on funding international shoots to achieve visual authenticity in depicting Canadian settings alongside Indian locales.[19] Casting focused on actors suited to the blend of comedy and drama; Dileep was selected for the male lead, leveraging his proven comedic expertise from prior hits like My Boss.[1][20] Mamta Mohandas was chosen for the female protagonist after her hiatus, valued for her dramatic versatility that could contrast the film's humorous elements.[21][10]Filming
Principal photography for Two Countries began in July 2015, with the initial schedule taking place in Canada under the production support of CanEast Films Ottawa.[22] The team shot extensively in locations such as Ottawa, Montreal, Brockville, and Almonte in Ontario, capturing romantic sequences including a song at Niagara Falls.[23][21][24] This Canadian portion lasted approximately 35 days and concluded on August 7, 2015.[25][26] The second schedule commenced on September 1, 2015, in Kochi, Kerala, where the crew filmed the Indian family scenes over about a month. By late September, the production was in its final stages, with director Shafi indicating only a week of shooting remained at that point. The entire principal photography wrapped up on November 19, 2015.[27][28][29] Filming faced logistical challenges typical of an international production, including coordination with Canadian authorities for permits and navigating the unfamiliar summer weather, which the cast and crew had to "brave" during outdoor shoots. The debut cinematography by Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran emphasized the visual contrasts between the urban and natural Canadian settings and the vibrant Kerala locales, utilizing practical locations throughout to underscore the film's cross-cultural narrative.[30][11]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Two Countries was composed by Gopi Sundar, who crafted three original songs to complement the film's romantic comedy narrative, blending melodic elements that underscore the protagonist's cross-cultural journey between India and Canada.[31] The lyrics for all tracks were penned by B. K. Harinarayanan, emphasizing themes of love, cultural fusion, and lighthearted escapades that align with the story's emotional highs and humorous undertones.[32] "Chenthengin," rendered by Najim Arshad, serves as a melodic anchor with its engaging vocals and familiar romantic tropes, evoking the tender budding romance central to the plot while providing a soothing contrast to the film's comedic beats.[32] The duet "Thanne Thanne," featuring Karthik and Abhaya Hiranmayi, delivers a groovy, hummable tune with rhythmic claps and whistles that infuse upbeat energy, mirroring the playful flirtations and joyful moments in the characters' interactions.[32] "Veluveluthoru," sung by Afsal, stands out as a peppy celebratory number incorporating Central Asian choral elements and Celtic influences, which enhance the wedding sequence and reflect the film's "two countries" motif through its inventive cross-cultural sound.[33] This track was picturized near Niagara Falls, amplifying its thematic resonance with the story's Canadian backdrop.[24] Sundar's background score integrates subtle Western and Indian instrumental textures, such as orchestral swells alongside traditional percussion, to support the film's tonal shifts from heartfelt drama to comedic relief, thereby reinforcing the narrative's exploration of cultural duality without overpowering the dialogue-driven humor.[33]Release and reception
The soundtrack for Two Countries was released in November 2015 by Sony Music Entertainment, ahead of the film's theatrical premiere on December 25, 2015.[34] The album features three songs composed by Gopi Sundar, with lyrics penned by B. K. Harinarayanan, blending melodic elements suited to the film's romantic comedy tone.[34]| No. | Title | Singers | Duration | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chenthengin" | Najim Arshad | 4:08 | B. K. Harinarayanan |
| 2 | "Thanne Thanne" | Karthik, Abhaya Hiranmayi | 4:55 | B. K. Harinarayanan |
| 3 | "Veluveluthoru" | Afsal | 4:46 | B. K. Harinarayanan |