'Thira' to 'Kalimannu': Six Underrated Feminist Malayalam Films You Should Watch

Every film industry has its own set of toxic thoughts and archetypes and Malayalam Film Industry is no different. However, the film industry has also produced the greatest number of films that have given women equal footing in reel life which could be well divorced from real life.

Filmmakers have dared to break away from conventions and create gems for the audience where women are not damsels in distress; rather they are their own saviours. This was the much-needed breath of fresh air. New-age directors like Ashiq Abu, Rosshan Andrrews, Jeo Baby and others are presenting women on screen like they should be and deserve—a real representation.

The Malayalam Film Industry has surely produced many great films with feminist themes in the past two decades. Films like 22 Female Kottayam, How Old Are You, The Great Indian Kitchen, and Uyare has transcended the linguistic barriers and achieved popularity amongst the global audience. However, there still are films that need equal appreciation and we have compiled a list of them for you to watch.

Here are Six Underrated Malayalam Feminist Films that are worth a watch

Thira

Starring Shobhana, the Malayalam thriller revolves around a cardiac surgeon Dr Rohini Pranab who also has a rescue shelter where women who were trafficked seek refuge. She is charged with illegal trafficking when women are kidnapped. She meets another youth named Naveen whose sister was also kidnapped.

By accessing her dead husband Pranab Ray, an investigative journalist’s bank locker, the doctor gets a clue about the girls’ whereabouts and she embarks on a mission to rescue the girls. Created by Vineeth Sreenivasan, the film was reportedly inspired by book The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam, a Cambodian anti-trafficking advocate.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Still from Thira (IMDb)

Puthiya Niyamam

Puthiya Niyamam (New Law) is a Malayalam Thriller film starring Nayanthara, Mammootty in the lead roles. The film revolves around Louis Pothen (Mammootty) who is an artist, divorce lawyer, part-time film critic and his wife Vasuki (Nayanthara) who is a Kathakali artiste. The film takes a turn when Vasuki is raped by two of her neighbours a laundryman.

She is withdrawn until she meets new Police Commissioner Jeena Bhai. The twists and turns make this a must-watch thriller. Written and directed by AK Sajan, this film is relatively better at tackling sensitive issues like rape and also addiction.

Where To Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video

Suggested Reading: Five Women-Led Shows Like ‘Russian Doll’ To Look Forward To

August Club

Starring Rima Kallingal, Murali Gopy, Sukumari and others, August Club is a woman-centric film based on a chess champion, her married life and her attraction toward her rival at the club she attends. Savithri (Kallingal) is a young upper-middle-class homemaker who is an unrivalled champion in chess in a local club.

Her life changes with her husband Nandan (Gopy), for better or worse, when a new member Shishir (Praveen Anidil) enters the club and her life. Directed by KB Venu and written by Anantha Padmanabhan, the film marked their debut as filmmaker and film writer respectively.

Where To Watch: MX Player

Rima Kallingal in August Club (IMDb)

Trivandrum Lodge

Trivandrum Lodge is a film set in Kochi where the residents of the lodge form the backdrop of the film. The film revolves around Dhwani Nambiar (Honey Rose) who comes to the lodge to write her novel based in the city after divorcing her husband. She receives unsolicited offers from men, who all crave physical intimacy, which she turns down.

The story focuses on each one of their individual journeys along with that of Arthur (Janardhan), Peggy Aunty (Sukumari) and lodge-owner Ravisankar (Anoop Menon) and his love for his deceased wife. The VK Prakash film discusses themes of love, sex, and the desire of people, especially women in a poetic way. There’s no shame attached to it which makes this Black comedy a great watch.

Where To Watch: Disney+ Hotstar

Kalimannu

The Swetha Menon starrer ">revolves around a club dancer in Mumbai, Meera who aspires to become an actor but is always let down. Frustrated, she resorts to suicide but the unexpected arrival of taxi driver Shyam changes her life. The couple get married and her career also progresses. Things don’t stay hunky-dory for long as Shyam is fatally injured in an accident.

She wants to have his child through artificial insemination but has to fight an uphill battle for parenting rights. The film definitely was a culture shock but Blessy’s directorial venture was released to mixed responses with applause for the subject picked by the filmmaker who also wrote this film.

Where To Watch: MX Player

Rani Padmini

The Aashiq Abu directorial, Rani Padmini starring Manju Warrier and Rima Kallingal is a story of two women who befriend each other on a road trip in Himachal Pradesh. Padmini (Warrier) reaches Manali to resolve issues with her husband while Rani (Kallingal) is running away from a wanted criminal who has posed a threat to her life.

Their journey begins with pleasantries and develops into a deeper bond throughout the film. It is endearing to watch the two women become each other’s support through the difficulties of their lives. It is a refreshing film to watch.

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Still from Rani Padmini (Onlooker Media)