Challenging a religious taboo is no cakewalk in our society and when a character, especially a female protagonist, does it in a film, it offers a good trope for a thrilling watch right at the outset. Vaanku, directed by debutant Kavya Prakash, is the story of a girl who stirs up a hornet’s nest with an unorthodox take on azaan, the Islamic call for prayer.
Raziya (Anaswara Rajan) is a bright student and is a potential university rank holder. An interesting thought instilled in the minds of Raziya and her classmates by a teacher urges Raziya to reveal her biggest wish – to recite the azaan. And all hell breaks loose, predictably.
The film, which portrays religion-supported sexism well, has a narrative that decently keeps the audience engaged, wondering till the end whether Raziya will be able to fulfil her wish. It convincingly shows the plight of women who remain dependent on their man till the end, thanks to early marriages that hamper their education, and how radical ideas are creeping into the minds of the once-progressive folks, among other things.
Director Kavya Prakash makes a confident debut and has a good grip on the story by Unni R. Lead actress Anaswara has breathed life into an assertive, yet often quiet and submissive Raziya, well enough. Though the bits on how she remains true to her wish becomes occasionally theatrical, she has done justice to the character, overall. Sarala Balussery, though in a brief avatar, brings so much strength to her role, and one can’t help rooting for her. Vineeth is wonderfully restrained; and Shabna who essayed his wife’s role and those who played Raziya’s friends also did their parts eloquently. It’s also great to see the film effortlessly weaving in the angle of homosexual relationships into the narrative.
The film wobbles in certain portions, like in a couple of sequences that may have come across as a good read, but not realistic enough as film sequences. A song in the second half unnecessarily lengthens the film and affects its pacing. Some taunt editing could have sharpened the film. Also, one can’t help wishing Raziya didn’t have to go to such lengths, in private, to fulfil her wish.
The movie strikes a chord, it sets you thinking about how much more women have to fight sexism especially within their families and how more should speak up rather than staying quiet.
Raziya (Anaswara Rajan) is a bright student and is a potential university rank holder. An interesting thought instilled in the minds of Raziya and her classmates by a teacher urges Raziya to reveal her biggest wish – to recite the azaan. And all hell breaks loose, predictably.
The film, which portrays religion-supported sexism well, has a narrative that decently keeps the audience engaged, wondering till the end whether Raziya will be able to fulfil her wish. It convincingly shows the plight of women who remain dependent on their man till the end, thanks to early marriages that hamper their education, and how radical ideas are creeping into the minds of the once-progressive folks, among other things.
Director Kavya Prakash makes a confident debut and has a good grip on the story by Unni R. Lead actress Anaswara has breathed life into an assertive, yet often quiet and submissive Raziya, well enough. Though the bits on how she remains true to her wish becomes occasionally theatrical, she has done justice to the character, overall. Sarala Balussery, though in a brief avatar, brings so much strength to her role, and one can’t help rooting for her. Vineeth is wonderfully restrained; and Shabna who essayed his wife’s role and those who played Raziya’s friends also did their parts eloquently. It’s also great to see the film effortlessly weaving in the angle of homosexual relationships into the narrative.
The film wobbles in certain portions, like in a couple of sequences that may have come across as a good read, but not realistic enough as film sequences. A song in the second half unnecessarily lengthens the film and affects its pacing. Some taunt editing could have sharpened the film. Also, one can’t help wishing Raziya didn’t have to go to such lengths, in private, to fulfil her wish.
The movie strikes a chord, it sets you thinking about how much more women have to fight sexism especially within their families and how more should speak up rather than staying quiet.
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