Meet Shamla Hamza, the 'Feminichy Fathima' who makes waves at IFFK
Shamla Hamza came to the 29th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, carrying her toddler daughter. What brought her to the festival is the film, 'Feminichy Fathima,' in which she plays a mother of three children. Her extremely convincing
Shamla Hamza came to the 29th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, carrying her toddler daughter. What brought her to the festival is the film, 'Feminichy Fathima,' in which she plays a mother of three children. Her extremely convincing
Shamla Hamza came to the 29th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, carrying her toddler daughter. What brought her to the festival is the film, 'Feminichy Fathima,' in which she plays a mother of three children. Her extremely convincing
Shamla Hamza came to the 29th edition of the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, carrying her toddler daughter. What brought her to the festival is the film, 'Feminichy Fathima,' in which she plays a mother of three children.
Her extremely convincing portrayal of Fathima, a Muslim woman who fights patriarchy in her own way, has earned her much praise from the IFFK audience. A former radio jockey, Shamla was attracted to the topic of the film which she calls the kind of ‘feminism many want to see’.
Directed by Fazil Muhammed, Feminichy Fathima is Shamla’s second film after '1001 Nunakal' (1001 Lies), released in 2022. Fazil was the spot editor of '1001 Nunakal.' The director of '1001 Nunakal,' Thamar K V, is also the co-producer of 'Feminichy Fathima.'
“We all knew each other. That helped me get the role. I was interested in the film because of the way Fazil explained the idea to me. The film conveys a wonderful message. Many, after watching the film, told me they were waiting for such a simple definition of feminism,” Shamla told Onmanorama on the sidelines of IFFK after the film’s screening at Tagore theatre.
A native of Thrithala in Palakkad, Shamla worked in the film when her daughter was just six months. “It has been difficult like for any mother. But my director and the crew were extremely supportive and gave me the space and time to look after my baby even amid the shoot,” she said.
Asked whether she had any concern over the subject of the film which is a satirical take on religious orthodoxy as well, Shamla said: “Not actually. The issue we discuss is not something relating to a certain community. Everyone has been experiencing this for long, but no one told the story before.”