Utharam (1989) is a mysterious drama thriller movie where a journalist embarks on a journey to investigate a mysterious death. Along the way, she uncovers repressed memories of a traumatic event and tries to uncover the truth. The plot is filled with suspense and mystery, keeping the audience engaged throughout the movie.

Story begins when old patriarch Moosa Meleri arrives in a quiet Kerala village with his adopted son Abu and daughter-in-law Amina. He has lost all his money in litigation. Despite their hardships they are happy until their rich landlord covets Amina. Heartbroken, Amina is forced to divorce Abu and become the landlord's second wife. Twenty years later Amina is alone while her father still indulges in litigations, her son leads a dissolute life and her daughter elopes with the chauffeur.

Sukumari, a saleswoman, struggles to run her poor family. Her life takes a turn when she meets a business tycoon, Vishwanathan.

After a college dare goes wrong, the investigating officer arrests his son and locks horns with his estranged wife while trying to find the truth.

Aaro Oral introduced to Malayalam a genre of personal cinema, which is deliberately anti-realist.