Film throws light on factionalism in CPI-M in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 (IANS) With the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Kerala said to be in disarray due to factional feuds, "Arabikatha", a new Malayalam film, reveals the state of affairs through an intelligent presentation.

Making no qualms that the film projects the factionalism discreetly, veteran actor Sreenivasan, who plays the lead role in "Arabikatha", said the film does not make a direct attack on how the CPI-M is functioning, though he says the factionalism in the party hurts him.

"The objective of the film was to project the current day events of the CPI-M in a proper manner. I hail from Pattiyam in Kannur district, the stronghold of the CPI-M, and have received several calls from Kannur that this (showing the feud) was required," Sreenivasan told reporters here Sunday.

The film is directed by Lal Jose who has made popular blockbusters like "Meesha Madhavan" and "Classmates".

Sreenivasan plays the character of Cuba Mukundan, a staunch Leftist who is forced to work in Dubai due to ideological differences of opinion in his hometown.

The film portrays the travails of Keralites who work in difficult conditions in labour camps at Dubai where Mukundan finds solace when he meets a Chinese woman who comes from China to eke out a living.

Chang Shu Min, a Chinese actress, plays the role of the woman and Sreenivasan said that it was a nice experience to work with her.

"The world is progressing very fast but due to political opposition in Kerala, we are not keeping with the pace with which it is going ahead in other places. I hope that the party (CPI-M) would come out of its problems," said Sreenivasan.

The film has been scripted by Iqbal Kuttipuram. Cinematography is by Manoj Pillai. The cast also includes Samvritha Sunil, Jagathi Sreekumar, Indrajeet, Jayasurya, Saadiq, Suraaj, Nedumudi Venu and Salim Kumar.

Click the Movie button below for more info:
Arabikatha