‘Bharathapuzha’, directed by Manilal, is about the never-say-die attitude of a marginalised woman

Manilal’s Malayalam film ‘Bharathapuzha’ starring Siji Pradeep compares the protagonist’s life to the ebb and flow of a river

The iconic Bharathapuzha that flows through South Malabar in Kerala has been the muse for poets, writers, artists, lyricists, playwrights, and filmmakers. Documentary filmmaker and television producer Manilal’s début feature film, Bharathapuzha, compares the flow of the river to the ebb and flow of life. Written and directed by him, the movie tries to convey a range of women-centric gender issues in general and of marginalised women in particular. Instead of the male gaze, Manilal’s attempt has been to focus on the perspective of a woman, Sugandhi, a sex worker in Thrissur. The filmmaker presents different aspects of her life as she goes about her daily routine.