The much-anticipated film ‘Aadujeevitham’, directed by Blessy and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, is all set to grace the big screens on March 28. Based on Benyamin’s best-selling novel and inspired by true events, the film narrates the compelling story of Najeeb. Najeeb, portrayed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, leaves behind his wife, mother, and unborn child in Kerala’s lush green lands to seek a better life and future in a desert country in the Middle East. However, destiny unfolds a different path for him.
In a heartfelt note shared on the official website of ‘Aadujeevitham’, director Blessy reflected on the challenging filmmaking process, drawing parallels between the lives of Najeeb and countless others facing hardships around the world.
“In our world, towering sanctions and barbed wires confine the dreams of those dwelling in lands like Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, and countries from the continents of Africa and South America. They have been marred by distressing events that have had a profound impact on the world. Many of them leave their home lands, resort to crossing borders, and face ethnic conflicts and political and communal interventions in their efforts to seek employment abroad to improve their lives. Behind every single person who ventures with grand aspirations, countless tearful eyes await their return to their homeland. Occasionally, people disappear amidst the harsh realities of exile, and their tragic tales deeply resonate with many. It’s a time when justice appears distant, as individuals grovel before others just to secure a meager piece of bread. Unfortunately, even in this modern era, there are places where a few wander into the desert, losing themselves and meeting their demise due to thirst. In contrast, my homeland, Kerala, a state in India, is a place teeming with inspiring life stories where individuals have ascended from humble huts to magnificent palaces,” Blessy’s note reads.
Kamal Haasan lauds ‘Aadujeevitham’, while Prithviraj Sukumaran expresses his sentiments saying, “I’d consider this as big an award.” Blessy further added, “Among these vibrant narratives, ‘The Goat Life’ (Aadujeevitham) stands out as a poignant journey of a man who clings to his last breath while striving to reclaim his life. The filming of ‘The Goat Life’ (Aadujeevitham) commenced in 2018 and concluded in 2022. During this period, a dedicated crew spent approximately sixty-five days in the desert, enduring quarantine measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filmmaking process itself became a test of endurance and resilience for the cast and crew, mirroring the themes of survival that run through ‘The Goat Life’.”
