Malayalam movie ‘Izhakalkkappuram’ calls for a critical approach to Gandhian ideals

Does Gandhian ideology need a re-reading and re-think? Venu Nair’s film Izhakalkkappuram tries to address this pertinent question. The film, which released in theatres on Gandhi Jayanthi, October 2, is a ‘philosophical chamber drama’, which tells the story of a Gandhian, Anand Sivan, a retired academic, and his progessive daughter Karthi, a documentary filmmaker.

The narrative unfolds when Karthi decides to make a documentary on Mahatma Gandhi. As the father and daughter begin discussing Gandhian ideology, the nation’s past, present, and other topics, there is friction. Anand goes on the defensive when Karthi questions certain Gandhian ideals and principles. He goes silent when his convictions are in conflict with facts put forth by Karthi. Acting as a bridge in their tense conversations is Jagadeesh, Anand’s confidant.

The core of the film is that ideals should benefit human kind and not the other way round where humanity is sacrificed for the sake of those ideals. Instead of blindly following or rejecting the Gandhian principles, the films calls for a critical approach to Gandhism.

Dinesh Paniker in Izhakalkkappuram
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Set in an ancestral home, the film has Dinesh Paniker as Anand Sivan, Gautami as Karthi and Vanchiyoor Praveenkumar as Jagadeesh in the cast.

Besides writing and producing the film, Venu has handled music and sound design. Jijo Johny Cheruvathoor is the executive producer. DOP is Pushpan Divakaran and editor is Pradeep Chandran.

Venu, who has over three decades of experience in the industry, has directed the feature film Jalasamadhi (2019), winner of multiple awards and documentaries such as Raja Ravi Varma: The Father of Modern India Art and Sanctuaries of the Spirit: The Sacred Groves of Kerala.