Ente Malayalam Movie
'Ente' is a film that has a theme that is extremely pertinent, but which falls short of convincingly conveying its message across. It's hard to dismiss the film as such, but one does end up wishing that the socio-cultural expose that it attempts was harder hitting.
Durga (Anjali Patil) is a school topper who hails from Amalapuram, who aspires to join one of the best business schools in the country. She takes after her dad Sreenivasan (Siddique) when it comes to raising her voice against what she deems wrong. Off she goes for an interview to Hyderabad, where her dad leaves her in a hotel room. Within hours Durga finds herself in a brothel, where she is subjected to multiple rapes.
We have had two films in recent years - 'Vairam' and 'Janakan' - both of which had a doting father and a daughter playing the lead roles. The girls get raped in both and the fathers seek justice. 'Ente' starts off pretty much on the very same note, and it's the initial hour that makes it seem like a very average film.
Just about the half point, along comes a twist in the tale that does spring a surprise on us. The physical trauma gives way to bruises on her psyche, as she makes a discovery that literally shreds her to pieces. She gives in pretty soon, and is resigns to her fate as she is repeatedly abused by men.
The sex trafficking trade has been reported to have been booming during the last several years, despite stringent efforts being made to curb its invasion into the society. That the film has been produced by Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, who herself had been a victim of a gang rape at the age of fifteen, adds to its virtue.
To be fair to the makers, there isn't an attempt ever to titillate, as is often seen to be the case in films that depict rape. The graphic act is visually illustrated through the unsettling screams of the young girl and her frantic implorations to set her free.
The cultural backdrop of the film is extremely confusing, in that Amalapuram seems like a village straight out of Karnataka. Even as their costumes and homes seem otherwise, the people around speak Malayalam. A wedding takes place which certainly has no semblance to a marriage in Kerala.
I should admit that I was downright impressed by the very last scene of the film, which shows Durga living up to her name; that of the vengeful goddess who would stop at nothing until she rips open the Asura's chest to drink his blood. As the man who has caused her the trauma apologetically touches her feet, Durga snarls in agitation and when he seeks penance by ending his own life, she smiles.
Anjali Patil as the girl who has been to hell and back is remarkably good in a few scenes, while in a few others she does go overboard. Siddique and Nina Kurup as her parents have done a commendable job, along with a whole lot of new faces who have done incredibly well.
'Ente' does not have a statement to offer that is fresher than anything that has been stated by films that have dealt with similar topics in the past. It doesn't offer solutions either. But it does suggest that it's a really dangerous world out there, and before you know it the whole of it could turn upside down for you.
