Skip to main content

Feminist Reading of Ramante Edhenthottam



                        Feminist Reading of ‘Ramante Edhenthottam’

Literature or film is a representation of an era. Recently we have seen many female oriented films in Malayalam industry. Apart from the title of a Female oriented movie Ranjith Sankar has directed ‘Ramante Edhenthottam’ which portrays the beauty of nature, moreover it dares to discuss in a society and industry that still finds salvation in everything masculine of ‘WHAT WOMEN DO NOT WANT’ the theme of the movie touches an issue that seems to be very important in the busy life style of these days. It is an approach towards a conventional marriage setup. The content also addresses the emotional vulnerabilities of its character. It is a story about how a languid indignant homemaker emerges as a confident woman who sets herself free, the film is a simple tale that many woman today would be able to connect with. The usual compromise formula that happens in most of the marriages gets criticized in this film and the film centers on an obedient wife and her profound transformation.


                                                The title of the movie creates the impression that the protagonist is a male but the centre of the movie is its leading lady ‘Malini’ played gracefully by Anu Sithara. A womanizing film producer facing financial crisis ,an alcoholic and an adamant chauvinist husband ‘Elvis’ is played by Joju George, the character of ‘Raman’ is a kind of charm ,silence and vibrancy the role of a healer or counselor is played by Kunchako Boban. He lives nearly an ascetic life and forms a bond with spiteful Malini
                                   

             Women’s self discovery journey by breaking the notions of patriarchy is beautifully portrayed in this film. The beauty of ‘Edenthottam’ is definitely a major part of the movie. It is there in the form of asking us to grow plants and save water but there isn’t a desperate focus on those things. The heart of the film is Malinis journey of self-transformation. Women whose dreams have been crushed and are victims of unequal marriages despite being talented are all around us. Respect, Dignity, Empathy and Love are the beautiful words one associates with championship glance around and it is very easy to see that all these are largely given by women to the men in their lives. Indeed its give and take, then live ‘Happily Ever after’. Malini is ‘happy’ with her believe in what she just said. Until she arrived at Eden she played her part of an unquestioning wife, hiding her inherent talents and taking care not to upset the concept of patriarchy. Something snaps in her ad some new windows open in her mind when she encounters Rama, who has a unique job of planting small forests within cities filled with glass buildings.

                                          Malini stopped her dancing since her wedding. Her dance like her tears in an aphrodisiac for Elvis. The power behind Malini was the friendship of Raman and the pleasing atmosphere of Edhenthottam . She never wished to have an Edhenthottam rather she wanted a dance school. Her passion towards dance made her free. A film producer with more of flops to his credit, Elvis claims that he is ‘Happily Married’. The ‘cool’ man says he wouldn’t mind his wife too trending the route if she wishes but after he discovered the relation of Malini and Raman, he critically breaks her self-esteem. The women in  Malini is not ready to lose her self-dignity by having a compromised life. This film reconstructs the concept that women have no freedom and they are always dependent.

                                    In today’s society Malini can be considered as an ideal woman who lives for herself and free from a miserable life. An emphatic ‘No’ makes Ramante Edenthottam noteworthy. Malini is human first and woman later when the time comes, she draws sustenance from her inner awakening. She is not judged not slut shamed not punished for disturbing the Nauseatingly familiar sense of male entitlement.        

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Cinema Dares to Challenge Power

A film is meant to be an artistic expression, a reflection of society, and sometimes, a bold mirror held up to power. Empuraan , the much-anticipated sequel to Lucifer , has not just continued the story of Khureshi Ab’raam alias Stephen Nedumpally but has ignited a larger debate. Beyond its grand cinematic experience, the film has managed to disturb certain factions, not because it tells lies, but because it dares to tell uncomfortable truths. The Fear of Truth? From its very first frames, Empuraan establishes itself as more than just a political thriller—it’s a commentary on power, corruption, and manipulation. It presents riots, political conspiracies, and systemic control not as religious conflicts but as carefully orchestrated power plays. Remember what mausi said in the movie? When a film brings up the Gujarat Riots, for example, why does it cause an uproar? What is there to hide? The fear is not about what is being said but about the possibility that people might sta...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Make the Most of Your Sunday

  As a student, Sunday often feels like a bittersweet transition from the freedom of the weekend to the responsibilities of the week. It's the day that marks the beginning of the end, where the thought of assignments, projects, exams, and the endless stream of tasks seems to hover in the air. It's not uncommon to feel the dread creeping in – that mixture of anticipation and anxiety as Monday looms closer. But what if I told you that Sunday could be the secret ingredient to having a successful and stress-free week? The challenge isn't unique to students. As a corporate employee, my Sundays became a different kind of challenge. The relaxed feeling of the weekend is often overshadowed by the anxiety of the upcoming workweek. It is seen that employees have constant pressure of meetings, deadlines, and an overflowing inbox waiting to be tackled. For employees, Sundays become a battleground of balancing relaxation and preparing for another hectic Monday. Now, as a woman managing ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Name the Pain

  They came with laughter in their hands, With hearts like lanterns, glowing bright, To carve a moment out of time, Beneath the stars, beneath the light.   A mother’s prayer, a lover’s gaze, A child’s delight in winding roads, A dreamer’s pause where silence sang— All scattered now like fallen oaths.   A ring still warm upon a hand, A father’s hand, now cold, let go— Life torn away, so sudden, stark, Mid-laughter’s rise, mid-lover’s kiss.   What law of man, what claim to cause, Can stand where joy was laid so bare?  What twisted creed could sanctify The breaking of a breath so fair?   No faith commands this kind of fire, No flag flies high on bloodied peace This isn't faith, this isn’t right— No God would bless this kind of fight. So mourn we must, for lives now gone, But vow we shall, with burning cry: That never shall such horror reign, These tears will cost you far.   This terror has a name, a ...
Post a Comment
Read more