Panaji: Dr. Biju Kumar’s Kaadu Pookkunna Neram turned out to be a crowd puller at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here Tuesday. A realistic narrative that questions the odd ways and functions of the state apparatus that oppresses the marginalized and represses the dissenters, the film was featured in the Indian Panorama section of the 47th edition of IFFI.
The film was screened before a packed audience with many failing to find a seat. Highly political in content, technically sound and with a flowing content, the film became a talking point at the IFFI town soon after the screening.
Rima Kallingal 'happy' to be part of 'Kaadu Pookkunna Neram' | Video
Set in a tribal area deep inside a forest, the film features the incidents that unfurl after a team of Kerala police set up an anti-Maoist camp inside a tribal school for young children. Indrajith plays the role of a nameless cop who loses his way in the deep woods in his bid to capture the extremists. He is left in the company of a woman activist whom he wants to arrest. The narrative gets compelling as it becomes clear that only the woman can help him get out of the forest.
The following events brings to the fore the concept of the hunter and the hunted. It also underscores how the poor, the marginalized, the downtrodden and those who voice for their rights are branded as extremists by the state -- Maoists in Indian scenario.
"This film is a representation of the contemporary politics. In Kerala, I think over 200 people have been slapped with UAPA in recent years. The recent such case is that of Gouri (a woman who was slapped with the UAPA charges for calling to boycott elections). The film tries to address how civilians who voice out their opinions against authorities are being branded as Maoists," director Biju told Onmanorama on the sidelines of the festival.
Actor Rima Kallingal with her filmmaker husband Aashiq Abu at the IFFI, Goa. Photo: G. RageshActor Rima Kallingal said that she was happy to be part of the film that addresses a contemporary issue from two sides. Calling the movie, a conversation, she said it presents social issues in a realistic manner without being judgmental.
Apart from Biju and Rima, actors Indrajith, Prakash Bare and Arun Punaloor, cinematographer M.J. Radhakrishnan and other crew members attended the screening.
