Man lives for food. There may be several other needs like money, happiness, politics, beliefs, art and mental peace. But each and every living being needs food to survive. Only if hunger is satiated can the mind and thoughts be functional. Let us examine a few films in which hunger was the major theme.
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum deals with a crime and the police investigation to prove the case. Though it may seem to be a simple plot, the 2017 film discusses a major issue - hunger.
Prasad, the main character, works as a porotta maker at a night shop in Mangaluru. He says that he carried out the crime to keep away hunger. The police produce Prasad before the magistrate at his house. A policeman comments on seeing a boy having puttu and bananas on the verandah. Prasad replies, “Don’t make fun of him; at his age you will be always hungry.” Prasad suggests that he became a thief due to hunger. Even his name is fake, but Prasad utters the truth about the hunger he experienced during his childhood.
Chaplin’s hunger
In many films of Charlie Chaplin, the main antagonist is hunger. For instance, in 'Gold Rush,' Chaplin bites his own shoe due to hunger. In 'Modern Times', when the siren sounds in the afternoon, Chaplin stops his work and eagerly laps up his food. It is obvious that he had worked till then with the sole aim of having food.
Kittunni’s hunger
In 'Kilukkam', one of the most favourite films of Keralites, hunger is touched upon. Kittunni, a servant, is frequently harassed by his master, the judge, who is very particular about his food habits. But when Kittunni ‘wins’ a lottery, he abuses his employer and leaves the house. But he later returns and breaks down saying that he had nothing to eat over the previous four days. The judge is a man of inflexible nature, but he too had remained hungry because Kittunni was not there and had realised the pangs of hunger.
