From Stage to Screen: The Unlikely Stars of Malayalam Cinema
In the gentle embrace of Kochi’s evening breeze, a remarkable transformation takes place. Selvaraj Raghavan VR, a 63-year-old whose days are marked by hard labor, sheds his identity as a headload worker and steps into the shoes of a passionate actor. This is a nightly ritual at Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu, a modest theatre group nestled in the heart of Kerala, where the love of performance turns ordinary lives into stories worth telling.
The lives of Selvaraj and his ten comrades, all members of this humble theatre collective, took an unexpected leap into the limelight with the release of “Aattam”, a Malayalam film that resonated widely with both audiences and critics. Directed by Anand Ekarshi, a newcomer with a clear vision, the film clinched three prestigious national awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing. Yet, the magic of “Aattam” lies not just in its accolades but in the authenticity and sheer rawness its cast brought to the silver screen.
The ensemble cast of “Aattam” is as diverse as it gets, with ordinary individuals stepping out of their daily routines to bring the film’s complex narrative to life. Among them, Jolly Antony lays tiles for a living, Aji Thiruvamkulam paints buildings, Santhosh Piravom juggles running a vegetable shop with driving an auto-rickshaw, Sijin Sijeesh manages a motor-winding workshop, and Sudheer Babu shapes young minds as a drama teacher.
Every actor, including Selvaraj, temporarily left their day jobs behind, drawn by a project that asked of them nothing more than to be themselves. This authenticity extended to using their real names for their characters, blurring the lines between reality and cinema. Guided by Ekarshi and Vinay Fortt, an actor with a vision of bringing real life to the cinematic realm, the cast embarked on a learning journey that was both demanding and deeply rewarding.
“Aattam” is not your usual cinematic fare. Crafted with inspiration from Iranian cinema’s nuanced storytelling and the psychological depth of August Strindberg’s plays, Ekarshi aimed to create a film steeped in realism. The narrative centers on the grave consequences of a woman’s sexual assault and its ripple effect on the lives entangled in its aftermath. Zarin Shihab, portraying the lead character Anjali, alongside co-star Kalabhavan Shajohn, found depth and complexity in their roles, contributing to a story that transcends a mere quest for justice to reflect on society’s pervasive issues.
What makes “Aattam” stand out is not just its compelling narrative but the fact that its creators dared to dream. They harnessed the raw, unpolished talent of individuals whose lives are fundamentally removed from the glittering world of cinema. For many cast members, their passion for theatre never promised financial rewards, yet fueled their dedication to storytelling. Selvaraj, Aji, and their fellow actors discovered an unexpected path through “Aattam”, proving that the world of film could be enriched by the most unassuming talents.
The tale of “Aattam” and its cast is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the belief that art can indeed emerge from the most unexpected places. As the film continues to win hearts and accolades, it serves as a beacon of hope for those who dream of breaking into the world of cinema, not through stardom, but through the strength of their stories and the authenticity of their performances.
In a world where cinema often chases after the grand and the spectacular, “Aattam” stands as a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most impactful stories are those that echo the rhythms of everyday life. For Selvaraj, Aji, and their friends, the stage of Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu was just the beginning. The spotlight of Indian cinema has now shown on them, lighting up their path from the humble beginnings to the heart of the national phenomenon that is “Aattam”.
