Debutante director Aisha Sultana's film courted controversy as its plot raised several questions about the Central government policies and decisions.
A poster of the film 'Flush'. (Supplied)
Flush (Malayalam)
Debutante director Aisha Sultana’s Flush, after courting controversy as its plot raised several questions about the Union government policies and decisions in the Union Territory, has finally hit the screens.
The director told the netizens that they didn’t get time for promotions as the release date was announced quickly.
Coming to the movie, Aisha Sultana’s aim of highlighting the issues faced by people in Lakshadweep is commendable. Incidentally, she hails from the archipelago, too, and is the first woman to become a director from the region.
However, Flush deals with the serious social issues faced by the islanders and gives less importance to building a plot.
‘Flush’ is directed by Aisha Sultana. (Supplied)
Flush is based on the lives of common people in Lakshadweep.
A teenager, Pranav (Pranav Prasanth) visits Lakshadweep after his sister Praveena (Arundathi Vishnu), a teacher in a school in the archipelago, dies in Kerala. Pranav can’t bear the loss of his sister and keeps hallucinating.
Nadhi (Nadhi Backer) and his family live in Lakshadweep. The film revolves around these characters and their daily lives — how they live and the struggles they face to live on an island governed by an administrator who is appointed by the President of India.
Pranav and Ayira (Dimple Paul) share a special bonding towards the climax as he feels that she is a replica of his elder sister.
Flush also talks about how smallpox affected the people on the island years ago. It also mentions the different religions in Lakshadweep.
‘Flush’ is based on the lives of Lakshadweep (aishalakshadweep/ Facebook)
Towards the end, the filmmaker makes important statements through her female characters — Praveena and Ayira.
In a scene, Praveena tells her brother (he feels as if his sister is speaking to him) that a woman often thinks that her body is important. But it’s the soul that’s the true power of a woman.
In another scene, Ayira opines that it’s common for people who are dependent on the ocean for their livelihood to address it as “Kadal Amma” (Mother Ocean). Similarly, women are given titles for saving lives, in general.
Ayira also says that when Nature is disturbed by human activities, it needs to be understood that women are being attacked — a direct reference to the increasing atrocities against women in society.
Director Aisha Sultana showcases her homeland in its true sense — by highlighting issues like the lack of proper hospital facilities, the blatant sale of expired medicines, the evacuation process to Kochi when a patient is serious, the importance of lagoons and much more.
Earlier, Anarkali (2015) and Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal (2014) portrayed the scenic beauty of Lakshadweep but did nothing like Flush.
The film also draws attention to a major issue — how humans are destroying the sea for their greed. This is mentioned through the ₹3,000 crore Lagoon Villa project. The project was proposed by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to a report published in The Hindu in March 2020, this proposal has been earmarked for the islands of Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli in the 36-island archipelago of the Lakshadweep.
Team ‘Flush’ on the sets (aishalakshadweep/ Facebook)
About 114 scientists from more than 30 universities and research institutes have asked the Lakshadweep administration to reconsider the project, fearing the possible ecological impact.
In Flush, youngsters working with the Left parties are shown staging a protest against the Lagoon Villa project. The director also gives out details of some of the activists who protest in front of a closed government office.
The film also highlights healthcare issues — how the natives of the island are given expired medicines with the help of those working in hospitals.
Having been shot in Lakshadweep, Flush boasts some stunning visuals. There is an aerial view of the island just after a conversation between Pranav and Ayira.
The shells, sea, and small lanes on the island — all these have been captured well by cinematographer KG Ratheesh.
A still from ‘Flush’ movie. (Supplied)
Similarly, the visuals have a great effect on the music scored by Kailas Menon and William Francis.
The title song “Pakkirichi”, composed in Jeseri — an oral language of Lakshadweep — mesmerises audiences.
The language has been used for the first time in Malayalam cinema. Lakshadweep resident Shafeeq Kiltan has sung the track composed by Kailas Menon.
The movie has a bunch of newcomers who are mostly locals.
For a movie like Flush, the content matters and the performers did justice to their roles.
Flush is a serious movie shot in the picturesque Lakshadweep. It discusses the issues faced by the people of the region while strongly criticising the Union government.
(Views expressed are personal.)
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