A Mother’s view on ‘The Kerala Story’

As a mother, the recent movie ” The Kerela Story” indeed shook me. It makes you think a thousand thoughts while leaving the theater.

It wasn’t as if I was unaware about the facts shown in the movie. But many a times, inspite of knowing certain things, we hardly dig deeper to discover the roots or aren’t fully aware about the disastrous impacts.

Movies are said to be a reflection of the society. But since past so many years the film industry had largely diverted from it. The common storyline of making the protagonist “larger-than-life” and empowering him with cult dialogues, inhuman action sequences, half aged heroine for romance, few hook steps in dance and done was the recipe! Or if not this, then we had posh colleges with crowd who resembled more of models and less of students, entering the colleges in swanky SUVs with Gucci bags, partying, dating, flirting and aping the western culture to the ‘T’. A common youth who couldn’t relate to such characters, couldn’t have any takeaway, except for distorted self-perception, from these movies.

But a movie, which slowly rose to popularity solely based on viewer’s word of mouth, without resorting to high-cost promotional tactics attempted to showcase a totally unexpected and difficult side of the society. Despite of being devoid of any stars, the powerful content coupled with stellar performances stole the show.

The plot where a simple innocent girl from a normal family is brainwashed in becoming dangerous suicide bomber is full of twists and turns that are shocking. How the situations are artificially “formed” around the girl which traps her further shook us. It’s easy to sit in AC theater and judge or slam the behavior of the girl and have a debate on what alternatively she could have done or behaved. But let’s not forget the vulnerability which arises out of young age, inexperience, peer pressure and staying away from a family.

 It further highlights a very important point of communication with children. An open communication, where the children feel safe to confront their life happenings is the need of today. The balance of being a disciplinarian as well as friendly confidant is a challenge. Parenting today is the most challenging than it was ever. Neither can you be a strict taskmaster whom they avoid and seek solace somewhere else and nor can you be friends to the extent of being taken for granted.

Parents today need to be flexible enough to apologize for their mistakes, not hurt their egos for disobedience, give the children their space but at the same time be aware about their whereabouts, their peers, without being “helicopter parents “, genuinely be interested in child’s interests, make them aware about our culture and traditions with their significance from an early age. Set aside those screens, spend quality time with them. No reels instead read out to them, go for a walk, practice being a listener, learn a new hobby along with them, tell them about the world beyond academics. Take a weekend trip to a fort, narrate the story of valour with pride. Think twice before losing your patience on their mistakes as it would pave a way for them to either approach or avoid you when they commit one.

The outside world is unpredictable and it’s impossible to keep children in a comfort shell. The best shield is the values you instill in them, the time you give to them, the communication you have with them, the genuineness of your listening to them, the traditions you celebrate with them.

Movies are a powerful medium. And with great power comes great responsibility. Such a powerful tool, must be used to create awareness amongst the youth by showing the reality with more such strong storylines.