Imagine watching a movie that never leaves a small, dimly lit room and has only one face on screen. That’s Oththa Seruppu Size 7 for you. Written, directed, and acted by R. Parthiban, it’s one of those risky ideas that usually sound better on paper — yet somehow, he pulls it off. Right from the first scene, you’re trapped in the same world as Masilamani, a murder suspect being questioned at a police station. No big sets, no flashy action. Just one guy telling his side of the story.
Parthiban’s Show, Every Bit of It
This entire film rests on Parthiban’s shoulders, and he enjoys every second of it. Whether Masilamani is cracking jokes at the cops, ranting about his past, or hinting at some deep, darker secret, Parthiban keeps you glued to the screen. Sure, he hams it up here and there, and at some points, you can tell he’s playing to the balcony. But there’s also this charm in watching someone pour every bit of himself into a crazy idea like this.
And then there’s the way the dialogues jump between sarcasm, fear, and sadness. It feels like you’re sitting across the table, wondering if you can trust anything he’s saying. That mix — funny one moment and tense the next — keeps the story alive.
The Magic of Sound
More than anything, this is a film you listen to. Even though you never see other characters, you feel like they’re right there in the room. That’s all thanks to Resul Pookutty, the Oscar-winning sound designer who paints the movie with tiny details — someone turning a doorknob, the faint voice of Masilamani’s wife Usha, even the sound of waves from outside. It’s like your imagination is doing the camerawork.
That’s where this film feels special: it trusts you to fill in the gaps. Some movies force-feed you every visual. Here, the sound alone is enough to make you see.
A Risk That Mostly Pays Off
Of course, sticking to one character means the pacing isn’t perfect. The story slows down every now and then — especially near the end — and if you’re someone who loves twists every two minutes, you might feel a bit restless. Plus, the fact that every other character is invisible can make the whole thing feel like a one-man stage play at times.
But honestly, those little flaws don’t take away the fact that this is one bold film. Even the clever bits — like how the songs from Ilaiyaraaja pop up at just the right moments — feel handmade, like a personal touch rather than some big-budget move.
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Why It Stays With You
By the time Oththa Seruppu Size 7 reaches its last scene, you realize you’ve been part of something a bit different. The murder mystery is smart enough to keep you guessing. The filmmaker is brave enough to do what most others wouldn’t dare. And Parthiban, with all his quirks and intensity, proves that sometimes all you need is one actor and a good idea.
This isn’t a perfect movie, and it doesn’t try to be. But it’s real — a small, scrappy thriller that hits you in surprising ways. And if you appreciate movies that take risks, you’ll probably remember Masilamani long after you leave the theater.
Writer – Subham Choudhary