Every film that has spread on the screen is rooted in the audience. A film that will delight, think, laugh and bring tears to the eyes of the viewers. Languages are not a shackle to it. Cinema is the world language of visions that break through the four corners. It would be interesting to count how many movies are born in the world every second. It was a short film I saw the other day that pushed me into such thoughts. It is a 24-minute film called “Nirbhayaum Vethalavu” written and directed by journalist Ayyappan Ramachandran.
Millions of people live in the world like a swarm of ants, each individual being a beehive of various thoughts. A man who flings human values to the wind and lives like a madman. He has no truth and no justice. One who was caught only in the circle of me, frozen in the final grip of war-splitting fetters and the spilling stream of blood. A girl who hates and resists the invasion of his nuclear pride. The fight between them is the plot of the children’s movie ‘Nirbhaya Yum Vethalavu’. The film spreads to the audience as a candlelight vigil with the anxieties of humans searching for light in the dark. One who leaves no stone unturned in extraordinary deeds.
A monstrous figure whose attitude is that nothing in this world is bigger than his own will and madness. A girl who tore him apart at first sight. Even when he was bound, he was a brave spit. I read Nirbhaya and Vethalam as glimpses of the many intrusions that the world reveals to us. Why such a subject..? Such a short film? Definitely just want it to be seen and discussed. Let’s talk about some of the presences in the film. It was Devikrishnamar who became Nirbhaya. Devi has been seen through many showreels.
Famous director and actor P. Devi, the daughter of Sreekumar, has reached a goal that she got very freely and without hesitation. Good dialogue presentation, sound modulation and burning eyes help Devi to become fearless. Sajesh’s performance as Vethalam was also impressive. Sajesh spreads fear on screen with Karuna’s dry facial expressions. Director Ayyappan’s script was excellent. Scenes and dialogues with connectivity. Excellent making. Nirbhaya and Vethalam’s main plot is inside a closed house. Sonu Nair has shot the camera shots effortlessly. Sonu’s rhythmic camera movements only add to the matteness of this film.
Malayalam movies are coming out of theaters after covid. Smaller films are doing well on OTT platforms, even as big films lack viewership. Every little movie is expectations. Hope anyone can make movies.