Aattam: The Best Feature Film at the 70th National Film Awards

The 70th National Film Awards, held in New Delhi, has crowned “Aattam” as the Best Feature Film12. This Malayalam suspense chamber drama, directed by Anand Ekarshi, has not only won the prestigious Best Feature Film award but also bagged awards for Best Screenplay (Anand Ekarshi) and Best Editing (Mahesh Bhuvanend).

Aattam: A Story of Determination and Triumph
What makes “Aattam’s” win even more awe-inspiring is that nearly all of the cast members are daily-wage labourers who earn their livelihoods through various jobs and are dedicated to theatre1. The film meticulously anatomises both male hypocrisy and the multiple layers and greyness in each person at a gradual, real-time pace.

The plot of “Aattam” centers around Anjali, who exposes sexual harassment. With an intricately crafted screenplay featuring sharp dialogues, a significant portion of “Aattam” centres on 11 men sitting around and ‘discussing/investigating’ an incident in which a woman from their drama troupe was sexually assaulted while accompanied by the team members.

The Power of a Woman
However, it’s not these men, but a woman that this technically and narratively spellbinding film places at its core — Anjali — brilliantly portrayed by Zarin. “Aattam” never fails to maintain its focus on her, a woman with sheer determination, creating one of the most intricately written female characters in recent Malayalam cinema.

The Journey of “Aattam”
The journey of “Aattam” has been nothing short of remarkable. The film had a universal subject, and the team decided to take it to film festivals for a year before releasing it in theatres. It won major awards at these film festivals and released in January this year to an excellent response1. The film also got a major boost when it released on OTT as it found takers across India.

The Impact of “Aattam”
“Aattam” indeed proves the fact – ‘yes all men’ with its compelling storyline. Whenever a woman talks about sexual harassment on social media, a group of men often raises the “not all men” argument and invalidates her experience altogether. The film addresses sexual violence and remains relevant today, especially in light of the recent Kolkata rape-murder case.

Conclusion
“Aattam” is a testament to the power of determination and the importance of standing up against injustice. It’s a film that has not only won awards but also hearts, and it’s a film that will continue to inspire and provoke thought for years to come.

The 70th National Film Awards have indeed recognized a gem in “Aattam”, and it’s a win that will be remembered for a long time. Congratulations to the entire team of “Aattam” for this well-deserved recognition!