The recently released Malayalam movie Aabhaasam is grabbing the attention of the movie lovers for its unique and socially relevant theme. The movie, which is the directorial debut of Jubith Namradath, is an amazing satire which unfolds through an overnight bus journey.
Actress Divya Gopinath recently revealed that she had faced an incident similar to the one portrayed in the movie in real life. Divya took to the Facebook to share the harrowing experience she had during a bus journey some time ago.
“A man who stood beside me began to bother me by asking unnecessary questions. When I reacted crossly, he apologised by addressing me as ‘sister’ and told that he talked to me out of admiration. I informed the conductor and made him sit away from me. But about 10 minutes later, he came back and sat behind me, and tried to touch my neck. I was so angry that I grabbed his collar and hit hard on his face. I warned the man that I would strike him again if he attempts such acts. But what stunned me was his reply, ‘no sister, I will not touch you anywhere else without your consent’. I couldn’t believe my ears. Even after the man was thrown out of the bus by the driver and conductor, I kept wondering what gave him the courage to believe that it was his right to talk to me like that” writes Divya.
The actress also shared another incident when she witnessed a sozzled man trying to harass a girl at one of the venues of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala. Divya says that the man had to be taken out by his friends when the girl reacted harshly. She added that she felt utter despise for the man when she chanced upon a picture on the social media in which he was seen holding a placard demanding justice for the minor girl in Kathua who was raped and killed.
Divya says, “The reason why I told all these is to talk about my decision to act in 'Aabhaasam' directed by Jubith, which is also based on a bus journey. As a woman, I have been able to relate to the script of this movie. I became so close to this movie because through the art form called cinema, we were able to present many bitter experiences and frustrations that we go through in real life. I am sure that all the characters in this movie have been portrayed in the most realistic way.”
The actress says that there may hardly be any woman who hasn’t had any horrible experiences like the one she went through, though some may choose not to open up about it. She hopes that everyone would realise the awful realities of the society after watching the movie. “Some so called keepers of morality who pretend themselves as nobles believe that it is their right to harass others. Aabhaasam clearly portrays the realities of the contemporary Indian society through a number of experiences. I express my support to Jubith and (film producer) Sanju who showed the courage to expose the truth with much honesty and also making me a part of it,” writes Divya.
Divya adds, “The movie will provoke everyone to introspect about our experiences, beliefs and deeds. We will definitely begin to raise questions and it is up to us to find the answers to it.”
Actors Rima Kallingal, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Alencier, Divya Gopinath, Sheetal Syam, Indrans, Sujith Sankar, Abhija and Sudhi Koppa play pivotal roles as the passengers in the bus. Aabhaasam is financed by Sanju S Unnithan for the banner of Spire Productions, in association with Collective Phase One owned by ace cinematographer-turned director Rajeev Ravi.
