Aattam review: A magnificent film that brilliantly explores male hypocrisy

Anjali (Zarin Shihab) is the sole female member of a drama troupe called Arangu, which consists of 12 male actors, in addition to the director. The film begins by depicting their preparations for staging a play. Anjali assumes the central female role, while Hari (Kalabhavan Shajohn) takes on the male lead and Vinay (Vinay Forrt) plays a significant role in the cast. Following the play’s conclusion, two of Hari’s non-Indian friends visit backstage to congratulate them and extend an invitation for a stay at their resort in Kochi.

The team accepts the invitation and enjoys the night together. However, after the party, at midnight, Anjali, who is sleeping on a diwan cot by an open window, is groped, leaving her traumatised. A few days later, she confides in Vinay, her romantic partner, about the incident and says that Hari did it. Vinay escalates the matter, though Anjali does not want anything to be done about it and just wanted to erase it from her memories, and brings it to the attention of team leader Madhan who urgently calls for a team meeting of all male actors, excluding Hari. They convene at Madhan’s house to discuss the issue and seek an ‘amicable solution’.

The remainder of the film follows their discussions, arguments and the unravelling of their true selves as tensions rise, especially when personal matters come into play.

The film’s greatest strength lies in its intricately crafted screenplay, deftly transforming a sexual assault into a play, a discussion topic and even a case to be investigated, all without diminishing the gravity of the incident or the fact that it was a crime. Early on, the film employs sharp scenes to effectively explore and reveal the characters, their traits, nature and socio-economic backgrounds through dialogues, actions, attire and even subtle glances, laying the groundwork for the unfolding narrative.

As the actors ‘enter the stage’ for the ‘discussion’ play and gather around a roundtable, reminiscent of Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men (1957), the film takes on the tone of a courtroom drama, with arguments and counterarguments presented by parties with little to no knowledge of the situation. Apart from seamlessly allowing the narrative progress in a gradual real-time pace, in contrast to a play or even a movie, Aattam continually provides new masks and attire to each actor as well, while also disrobing and exposing them in tandem. At the same time, the meticulous precision in the writing of each dialogue enhances the depth of the film. Even with its real-time progression, Aattam maintains its essence as a play, divided into acts, allowing us to witness actors entering and exiting each setting or, at times, the stage itself.

Writer-director Anand Ekarshi adeptly exposes the blatant misogyny, sexism, hypocrisy, ego, envy, lust, selfishness, pseudo-righteousness and more from all the characters evenly, leaving no one untouched. It also ensures that Hari’s presence and command are felt throughout, even when he is absent on-screen. Special commendation is deserved for the emphasis placed on the hypocrisies of the holier-than-thou teacher and former newspaper editor, as people often mistake such superficial persons for good ones.

While Aattam delves into the flaws of these men, it consistently keeps Anjali in focus. The film avoids attempting to victim-blame her in any manner, even when almost all characters utter such dialogues and eventually become rape apologists towards the end for personal gains. The film provides Anjali proper agency and never casts doubt on her for even a single moment, which is indeed laudable for a mainstream Malayalam film.

While every actor, nearly all with theatre backgrounds, delivers spectacular performances, Zarin Shihab stands out with her flawless portrayal, skillfully navigating and effectively expressing all the emotions of Anjali. Vinay Forrt and Kalabhavan Shajohn also excel in their respective roles.

Anand Ekarshi’s adept framing of each shot and the strategic use of various shots, especially close-ups that evoke a sense of necessary suffocation, align with the tone and mood of the respective moments, making the film a true gem. Thanks to his decision to conduct a 35-day workshop before filming, every shot in the film appears nearly perfect, with absolutely no flaws. Cinematographer Anurudh Aneesh and Anees Nadodi’s art direction also warrant special praise for the overall brilliance of the film. Mahesh Bhuvanend’s masterful editing contributes to the seamless flow of the movie. Basil CJ’s music, though filling the screen only when required, effectively enhances instances that demand it.

Aattam movie cast: Vinay Forrt, Zarin Shihab, Kalabhavan Shajohn
Aattam movie director: Anand Ekarshi
Aattam movie rating: 4 stars