Feminichi Fathima is a Malayalam movie I had been waiting to watch for a long time. The film received strong appreciation at several film festivals. Many critics also spoke highly of it in their reviews. Now that it has finally released on OTT, the wait feels worth it. After watching the film, I can say it truly lives up to the praise it received.
The movieis a bold and thoughtful effort by director Fasil Muhammed to explore feminism from the perspective of a Muslim woman. This is a refreshing shift in Indian cinema, where feminist narratives are often shown through a cultural Hindu lens. Films like The Great Indian Kitchen (Mrs. in Hindi) and Thappad shaped much of that earlier conversation. Against that backdrop, this film feels timely and necessary. It adds a new voice to discussions on gender, faith, and everyday patriarchy.
What’s It About?
Fathima is married into a conservative and deeply religious family in the Malappuram district in Kerala. Her husband is a usthad (a religious leader) who expects his household to follow every rule without question. Life in the home is seen only through a strict, conservative lens.
Trouble begins when their young son wets the mattress. Fathima cleans it and leaves it outside to dry, but a dog later urinates on it. Since dogs are viewed as ritually impure, her husband reacts with anger and disgust. What follows is Fathima’s quiet struggle to fix the situation, facing resistance at every step.
The film makes a strong point that a woman in religious clothing can also be a feminichi (a slur often used by Malayalee misogynists to dismiss feminists).
Thoughts
Shamla Hamza and Kumar Sunil deliver standout performances. Shamla Hamza, in particular, is remarkable throughout the movie. It is hard to believe this is only her second project, after 1001 Nunakal, released in 2022. She performs with the ease and control of a seasoned actor. Her expressions carry much of the film’s emotional weight. Shamla winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress feels well deserved. The storyline is fresh and quietly rebellious, which makes her performance even more powerful.
In many ways, the film feels braver than other feminist movies. Dissent is rarely encouraged in conservative Muslim families, which makes this narrative more powerful. The story shows how questioning norms itself becomes an act of courage. That is what sets this Malayalam feminist film apart. It opens space for conversations that are often silenced. Ideally, it will inspire more Feminichi Fathimas to speak up and stand for their rights.
Even though the subject is heavy, the movie never becomes overwhelming. It avoids melodrama and keeps emotions grounded. Light comedy is woven into the narrative. This balance makes the film feel surprisingly breezy. The pacing is tight and engaging throughout. You can easily watch the full 1.5 hours in one sitting without needing a break.
I would call this movie a must-watch for anyone interested in meaningful Malayalam cinema. Feminichi Fathima is now streaming on Manorama Max. You can also watch it via Amazon Prime with a Manorama Max subscription. English subtitles are available.
I actually wanted to watch Paradha in the theatre, because I thought the cast was interesting. It had my lovely curly-haired favourites: Anupama Parameshwaran and Darshana Rajendran, who are known faces in the South. But then I got caught up with other priorities and missed booking a ticket that weekend. Later, I came across some reviews that made me second-guess whether it was worth watching on the big screen and decided to skip going to the theatre. Recently, when it was released on Amazon Prime, I finally decided to watch it.
The movie made me realize that not every review online is meant for you. Reviews often reflect the reviewer’s personal taste, but we tend to assume we’ll feel the same way. I’ve had similar experiences with other films, too, where the reviews were harsh, yet I ended up enjoying them. I still don’t get the importance of movie reviews, because whether we like a movie or not is subjective. But here I am, giving my own movie reviews from a highly subjective viewpoint. I think we should treat reviews as such: personal opinions of someone who loves watching movies, and not the absolute truth.
What’s It About?
Paradha, true to its name, centers on Subbu (Anupama Parameshwaran), a young Hindu woman from a remote Indian village where the tradition of paradha (dupatta veiling) is strictly practiced. While this custom is largely cultural in many parts of India, the film presents it as a religious mandate. The villagers worship Goddess Jwalamma, who they believe commanded that women remain hidden behind a veil. From puberty onward, every girl is forced to follow this rule, with severe consequences for defiance. Subbu, however, finds herself caught in a controversy that threatens her marriage to the man she loves.
Thoughts
Though the story begins with a devout woman who strictly follows religious practices, Paradha is not just about her. It portrays women from different walks of life, each facing gender discrimination in unique ways.
The first woman is deeply religious, bound by the strict purdah or dupatta system. The second, married outside the village, has left purdah behind but remains traditional in other aspects. The third rejects religious traditions altogether, embraces modern values, and focuses on her career. The fourth is a policewoman who’s happily married, enjoying full freedom, and choosing to follow certain traditions out of personal preference rather than compulsion. The movie keeps the narrative balanced this way.
Paradha is a feminist film centered on women’s empowerment, and it may not appeal to everyone. It highlights how women, even the most progressive, continue to face discrimination, no matter how far they try to escape from it.
I really enjoyed the movie. The climax was chilling, and the performances, especially by Anupama Parameshwaran, Darshana Rajendran, and Sangeetha, were superb. It’s a brave film, because criticizing patriarchy is never easy. Often, women themselves defend restrictive practices by saying, “It’s our choice.” But true choice exists only when opting out doesn’t bring harsh criticism or punishment. Many women follow norms not out of freedom, but because they have no other option. The movie captures this truth powerfully.
Paradha is now streaming on Amazon Prime. I watched it in the original Telugu with English subtitles.
I have only completed one episode of Zard Patton Ka Bunn (I have no idea what this means) so far on YouTube, but I already have a feeling I will like this Pakistani drama better than Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Sharjeena and Mustafa were cute and the series started off well but I didn’t find the story engrossing enough towards the end.
The first episode of ZPKB is endearing. A girl is praying intensely that she passes her exams, while the Maulawi (religious scholar) requests everyone through the mic in the mosque to pray for her. He says it’s admirable that a girl in the village wants to study more.
This Maulawi is hilarious! When a village officer visits the mosque to announce a population control drive, the Maulawi asks, “What’s the population of Pakistan?” The officer replies, “It’s now 22 crore.” The Maulawi then mumbles to himself in a lighthearted moment, “What’s the use of these 22 crore people if they can’t even sponsor one motor for the mosque well!”
It’s funny how the Maulawi is shown as a comical character who no one in the village takes seriously. It’s surprising because I always thought Maulawis were treated with utmost respect. On the contrary, this series treats the Maulawi exactly like how some Indian movies show swamis and gurus in a funny light. In the first episode, the villagers are shown berating him for overusing the mosque mic. He’s on it every other minute, asking for donations for the motor.
Now, the shocking part was how casually a female character scolded her husband for waking up late, saying, “You’re a Muslim, not a kafir,” as if it were normal, everyday language. The way the word “kafir” (non-believer) was used so casually suggests it’s deeply ingrained in the cultural discourse. To a Hindu, like me, the word hit me like a jolt. In contemporary times, the word kafir can be seen as an insult by non-Muslims, especially when it is used to highlight the superiority of one religion over another. As a tolerant kafir, I’ll let it slide and move on, but it does make me wonder about its impact, especially among impressionable Indian youth who are into Pakistani dramas. My concern is that it could reinforce divisive ideas, encouraging people to see others through a binary lens of “believers” and “kafirs”. That’s a troubling thought in any diverse, multi-faith society. But here’s hoping Pakistani dramas will be more mindful of such polarized language in the future. As the world becomes more interconnected and local entertainment reaches a global audience, paying attention to details like language can help ensure you don’t alienate anyone who appreciates your work.
That said, I have no intention of boycotting the series. I look forward to watching the remaining episodes on YouTube. It’s not every day you come across such feel-good wholesome witty content. I will savor every moment of it.
Yesterday, a Muslim friend visited, and we ended up discussing religion. She’s a practicing Muslim but not overly devout; for instance, she only wears a hijab when her mother-in-law visits.
During our conversation, she shared something beautiful:
People do things in the hope of reaching paradise. There’s so much fear surrounding it. But no one has ever returned from death to confirm if paradise truly exists. What we have now is paradise, isn’t it? You and I, of different faiths, sitting here together, conversing, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company—what better paradise could there be?
I asked her how she developed this perspective when everyone around her follows religious rules so strictly. She said it might be because she attended a non-religious school instead of an Islamic one. She emphasized how important it is to interact with other communities rather than only associating with people from our own. Her husband shares the same outlook. While he offers Namaz five times a day, he hasn’t imposed any religious restrictions on his wife or children. They are the only ones in their family who approach religion this way.
This principle is applicable to all communities. The more we engage with people from different backgrounds, the more open-minded and accepting we become of diverse ideas and perspectives. Conversely, isolating ourselves can lead to more rigid and extreme viewpoints.
I believe this may be why Indians tend to integrate more easily in foreign countries. Growing up in a society where different faiths coexist has shaped our ability to adapt. This is why I feel we should be sharing our culture with the world rather than adopting foreign ones. India’s inclusive culture, which embraces all faiths, is truly beautiful. I hope we continue to honor and preserve it.
The recent controversy surrounding TM Krishna made me ponder: Is there a rise in intolerance in India, or are Hindus simply becoming more vocal about disrespect toward their culture and religion?
Nirmalyam, a Malayalam movie released in 1973, showed a man spitting on the idol of a goddess. There was no controversy back then. Maybe Hindus took offence but they endured the insult. No one can dare imagine releasing a movie with such a scene now. Some might call it the death of art, but is the survival of art dependent on humiliating Hindu religious beliefs? How often do you see an Indian artist scrutinizing other religions? If we’re going to engage in this game, let’s do so fairly. Selective activism is no longer accepted or praised.
Times have changed. Hindus are no longer silent. They are defending their religion. So does this mean Hindus have become intolerant? Or does this mean they have finally found their voice under the leadership of Modi after decades of suppression? It’s a matter of perspective, but one thing is certain: Criticizing Hinduism in India now comes with greater scrutiny and potential consequences. It’s no longer forgiven as easily as before.
Sidharth was found dead at a college campus in Wayanad. The police initially downplayed things and declared that it was death by suicide. It was when a few friends visited Sidharth’s dad and emotionally told him there was more to the issue than what meets the eye that things started falling to light.
A post-mortem was conducted. Several attack wounds were found on Sidharth’s body. His stomach was found empty, indicating he had not eaten (or was not allowed to eat) for a day (or more). There were wounds on his neck, which experts say is unusual in a typical case of suicidal hanging (reference).
SFI students were found guilty of torturing Sidharth. He was stripped to his underwear, beaten mercilessly to exhaustion, had his phone taken away so he couldn’t contact anyone, and left without food and water (allegedly for days).
Why Was Sidharth Tortured?
Why SFI members in the Wayanad campus tortured Sidharth is unknown. Many stories are floating online:
Some SFI members say Sidharth was involved in a sexual molestation case (which was filed days after his death). SFI has been using that reason to justify the beatings and wounds.
Yet some others say it’s a severe case of ragging. However, which student faces ragging in his second year?
Some say it is because he proposed to a Muslim girl on Valentine’s Day. Prominent personalities, like the Governor of Kerala, have constantly accused SFI of harboring members of the PFI (a banned terrorist group) (reference). PFI (like ISIS) is said to be strictly against men from other communities pursuing Muslim women. They are said to “school” such people violently so that no one else would dare to commit such a “sin” again.
Then there are others who say it was a case of jealousy. The boys around Sidharth apparently did not like his growing popularity.
One section of the media says Sidharth was beaten up simply because he danced with senior female batchmates on Valentine’s Day.
However, nothing justifies his death. No student deserves to be brutally tortured this way, no matter what the issue.
Arrest of SFI Members
All SFI members accused of torturing Sidharth have been arrested (details).
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, is painfully silent. The champion of free speech and democracy has nothing to say about the issue. No condolences, no visits to Sidharth’s parents, and no strict actions against the SFI cadre. Why? Because his own student party is involved. If other parties had committed the same crime, he would have been the first person to thrash them.
Students in Kerala are scared to speak up against SFI. They wish to complete their studies in peace. It took a few North Indian students to report this case to the police. Only one Malayalee girl so far has been brave enough to come forward (details), requesting anonymity, condemning the SFI members of their crime. She revealed with tears how even friends turned foes and acted like vultures preying on the victim. She said she was scared, which is why she didn’t speak up sooner.
The same youngsters who are quick to criticize BJP and RSS maintain pin-drop silence when SFI/CPM is involved. This is concrete proof of the unprecedented authority SFI/CPM commands in Kerala – people are scared to criticize them. This stands in contrast to the type of authoritarianism attributed to the BJP, as criticism of the BJP does not evoke fear among the populace.
The Kerala Story
It is saddening that students in Kerala are threatened and bullied by party goons and are stopped from speaking against injustice.
How can parents send their kids to a college in Kerala with peace of mind if even our Chief Minister turns a blind eye to crimes in the state? Pinarayi has come up with many reforms to improve education, but why isn’t he focusing on the safety and security on college campuses? Why doesn’t his government take strict actions against SFI members who commit crimes as soon as he hears such news that is backed by concrete evidence? It took the governor, Mr Arif Khan, to suspend the VC after he was found incompetent to ensure decorum in the Wayanad campus.
SFI seems to have autonomy in many colleges. They are the only party present because they don’t allow the formation of other parties. Is this democracy? Is this freedom of speech?
Kerala is not the perfect peaceful state as it is portrayed to be.
Justice for Sidharth
How far will this case go? Will it be buried from the limelight in a few months? Will Sidharth’s parents get justice?
It’s heartbreaking to see his father’s emotional, tear-laden eyes in news channel discussions, while the SFI members watch on impassively without an iota of regret or compassion. Instead of defending their party, SFI and CPM members should be focusing on how to prevent such incidents in the future. Their lack of accountability is infuriating.
Congress party members, especially the Youth Wing, have shown remarkable solidarity by organizing marches against SFI and CPM in Kerala. In my opinion, Congress and other parties should call for the ouster of CPM from the I.N.D.I.A block until they ensure all criminals involved in Sidharth’s death are sentenced to several years of non-bailable imprisonment. They shouldn’t be released on meager grounds, which the CPM is capable of doing once the election is done and dusted. Many have lost hope in the state government. They don’t expect a fair trial.
BJP and RSS have been disappointingly absent. BJP members have supported Sidharth, but it is not the aggressive type we would have expected out of them. To win in Kerala, they must step up, be on the ground, and fight for causes with vigor. They should openly show solidarity, walk with the people, and address their issues.
Social Media Awareness
Social media is uncomfortably silent about this issue. Many in India would have fought for Sidharth if they knew there was a problem. But they aren’t aware because the media is not reporting the issue enough, and people in Kerala are scared to speak up about it. The ruling party in Kerala also knows how to cover up and downplay issues with lies and excuses, which their leftist supporters endorse without question.
I would request all political parties, whether the left or the right, and their supporters to forget their ideological & political differences and unite to fight against such crimes in Kerala. Only then will there be faith and forgiveness, a feeling of safety and security.
I wish I could link an explainer video for those unaware of Sidharth’s case. But sadly, no mainstream English-speaking or Hindi-speaking YouTuber, like Dhruv Rathee or Soch by Mohak Mangal, has covered this issue. More people should speak up so that no other student here again faces this kind of crime.
If you are a Keralite who prefers not to speak against political parties, I would advise you to use the most powerful tool in your possession – your vote – to express your disappointment. Similar crimes have happened way too often in Kerala, and we keep forgiving them. We should stop being lenient.
If you wish to learn more about Sidharth’s case, search for #JusticeForSidharth or #JusticeForSidharthan on Twitter or Facebook. Here’s hoping you would lend your voice to this fight against injustice.
The Monkey Dilemma 
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