In Wake Of Domestic Violence Deaths, These Short Films Shed Light On The Social Evil

Domestic Violence Deaths: The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has released two short films, which intends to raise awareness about the social evils- domestic violence and the dowry system- in association with Indian ad filmmakers. The short film features Sreekanth Murali, Manju Warrier and Esther Anil in lead roles.

Manju Warrier took to social media to announce the project and wrote, “Happy to share this short film against dowry system and domestic violence in the society. This has been created by FEFKA with participation from Indian Ad Film Makers”.

The short film features Esther Anil, who starred in Drishyam, as presumably a student who hears loud screams of a woman and a man yelling in her neighbourhood. A man, who could be her father, played by Sreekanth Murali, shuts the windows and moves away from the hall ‘minding his own business’.

Esther, on the other hand, steps in to stop the abuse and calls up the man next door. “Chetta, venda, pani kittum (Don’t, brother, you will be punished),” she warns him.

As the video concludes, Malayalam actor Manju Warrier says, “For sure, you will get it. This is not old Kerala. No woman is alone here”.

“Harassment of women, giving and receiving dowry are all punishable (by law). Every woman facing such injustice should remember, you are not alone, a society is with you,” she adds.

Besides actors like Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Dulquer Salmaan, Health Minister Veena George shared the one-and-a-half minute film on her Facebook page.

The film came in after the latest incidents of dowry and domestic violence deaths, particularly the death of Vismaya which triggered a massive outrage across Kerala.

Vismaya Nair was found dead on June 22 and further investigation suggested that the 24-year-old was facing dowry harassment and marital abuse, including domestic violence, from her husband Kiran Kumar. The victim’s husband was arrested a day after she died and has reportedly admitted to police authorities he used to assault her.

Check out the film here: