Kamala Das was not just a celebrated poetess, but was also a fierce feminist who fought oppression throughout her life, in the process she did ruffle a few feathers. Portraying her on screen will not be easy.
The film Aami, directed by Kamal, chronicles the life of late Malayalam poetess-writer Madhavikutty (Kamala Das). Now, a petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking a ban on the movie.
The petitioner, KP Ramachandran – a lawyer, has stated that the movie supposedly supports and justifies ‘love jihad’. According to The Times of India, “The conversion of Madhavikutty into Islam was the beginning of “love jihad” in Kerala. Love jihad is the grave menace the society now faces in Kerala,” stated the petition.
The petition also quotes from the English translated copy of Kamala Das’ biography ‘Love Queen of Malabar’ by Merrily Weisbord. It stated that the poetess lost her faith in Islam after she came to know that “Samadani received 10 lakh dollars for converting her”. These incidents have been omitted from the movie, the petition stated.
Recommended
KP Ramachandran has also alleged that the director has twisted the real-life incidents from Kamala Das’s life in the name of free cinematic expression. He has requested the high court to direct the censor board not to clear the film.
Inspired from Kamala Das’ autobiography ‘Ente Kadha’, Manju Warrier plays the protagonist.
The trailer that was recently released shows different stages in Aami’s life and the men in her life. It features Tovino Thomas, Anoop Menon and Murali Gopi who play the major male characters in the film.
Meanwhile, Google Doodle pays tribute to Kamala Das.
