‘Aattam’ makers address harassment in arts

As the Indian film industry grapples with ongoing discussions on sexual harassment, the Malayalam-language film “Aattam,” a National Award winner and potential Oscar contender, has garnered renewed attention for its prescient exploration of the subject.

Director Anand Ekarshi and star Zarin Shihab spoke to Variety on the film’s impact, its chances on the international scene and its relevance to current industry concerns.

“Aattam” follows the aftermath of an alleged sexual assault within a theatre troupe. After a post-performance party, Anjali (Shihab), the troupe’s only female actor, becomes the victim of a crime committed by one of her male colleagues. As the group comes together to deal with the incident, long-simmering tensions resurface, suspicions flare and the ensuing clamor threatens to tear the troupe apart. The troupe also features Vinay Forrt (Rotterdam hit “Family”) and Kalabhavan Shajohn (“Lucifer”).

The film’s themes have become even more relevant in light of recent events in the Indian film industry, including the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The report, commissioned by the Kerala state government in response to a 2017 assault case against an actress, documents the challenges faced by women in Malayalam cinema.

Submitted in December 2019 but only recently made public after a lengthy legal process, the report reveals the existence of an all-male power group of 15 leading industry figures who allegedly control casting decisions and access to the industry. The findings have reignited discussions about gender discrimination and harassment in the Indian film industry. While allegations of harassment have been made in several of India’s many film industries, only Kerala has taken the lead and commissioned a report.

Ekarshi explained the film’s approach to this sensitive subject: “I started working on the dynamics of a group and the dynamics of an individual. I wanted to see how a group of people, a crowd, a society or whatever, would react to a crime or an allegation of a crime, and how they would seek the truth, what are the dynamics of a group when they are seeking the truth or the sense of justice, and how an individual goes about it.”

The director said that while “Aattam” was not directly inspired by a specific incident, it was based on a broader understanding of systemic issues. “I have heard so many stories in the media and in my circle, from many women I have met in my life. So probably whatever went into my subconscious could have found its way into the script,” Ekarshi said.

Shihab, reflecting on her role and the impact of the film, added: “As a woman, I have heard many instances of oppression and harassment in my own social circles, which have affected me within my family. All of this has given me an understanding of how such an experience could play out.”

The actress highlighted the emotional resonance that “Aattam” has had with women viewers. “Every screening of ‘Aattam’ that I’ve attended, women who have seen the film have been very shocked by what has just happened,” she said. “It has always left me in a mixed emotional space because when a woman who has seen ‘Aattam’ comes to me and tells me how much she felt connected to the film, it feels positive and negative. Positive because people appreciate your performance. Negative because you know why it feels relevant to them.”

Interest in “Aattam” was renewed following the publication of the report and its victory at India’s National Film Awards, where it won the awards for best film, best screenplay and best editing.

Shihab said, “Today, with what is happening in the country, the film has become more relevant. A film becomes cinema when people leave the theatre and start discussing it, there are different meanings, different interpretations for them. So I am really happy that the film has stayed with people and created this impact.”

Since its theatrical release, the film has found a new lease of life on Prime Video, with Ekarshi noting a significant increase in viewership after the National Awards were announced. “The National Awards really gave the film a boost. I know the stats now that it’s on Amazon, so I know the scorecard as well, so that created a huge boom, and there was a lot of viewership after the National Awards as well.”

While “Aattam” is in the running to be the Indian film that will be nominated at the Oscars, Ekarshi expressed cautious optimism about its international appeal. “I hope we get through the first level of nomination and we will be the official film,” he said. “I think ‘Aattam’ by its structure, consciously or unconsciously, has a certain international structure. Of course, the theme is very universal, the theme is very relevant.”