Director Dr Biju's fans are those who relate with his social-themed films. And this one here, which talks about the Endosulfan incident in Kerala's Kasargod district, is true and fine to the core.
Based on the real life story of Madhuraj, a photojournalist who exposed the genocidal crime, Kunchacko Boban plays the fictionalized character as he and his team try to get to the core of the incident by visiting the place and its affected inhabitants. Boban's character and his team also play supporting activists to the cause as the film linearly follows the incident as it originally happened in the early part of the 2000 decade.
The screenplay, which at first looks like a documentary under disguise, works because it chronicles the sufferings of real life people who were affected due to the forceful use of the harmful insecticide. It bashes the government and holds it responsible for the hundreds of casualties and thousands of mutations in young children and adults alike. Most importantly, it showcases how the government took it upon himself the spray the insecticide without the consent of the villagers. Often, it becomes heartbreaking to watch the photographs which essay the incident.
All cast members, including Boban, do a wonderful job at doing what they were asked to do. Dr Biju handles the narrative compassionately, determined to let the world know, at least the basics, of what happened in Kasargod. It is an important film and I will recommend it to anyone who relates with the incident or human suffering in general. Unlike other films in this genre, I would have recommended this to be a documentary instead of a film. But, thankfully, it being a film "must have" garnered more viewers, considering how many people watch documentaries these days. It is grueling and heartbreaking, and perfectly shows what humans are capable of doing.
BOTTOM LINE: Dr Biju's Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal (Birds with Large Wings) is an honest attempt at showcasing what really went on in Kasargod. Buy the DVD now!
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
