The same-titled novel authored by Benyamin in 2008 served as the inspiration for Aadujeevitham. All of the events in the book are true stories that happened in the first part of the 1990s. The story of the movie centers on Najeeb (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a worker from Kerala who, in order to provide a better life for his family, leaves his eight-month pregnant wife Sainu (Amala Paul) and travels to Saudi Arabia in quest of work. When he finally arrives in the nation, his sponsor, Khafeel, transports him to the middle of the desert and sells him into servitude as a goat farmer.
Najeeb’s life eventually settles into a pattern in which even the smallest error is punished with stomps and lashes. The only meal he got was kuboos, and all he had to wash it down with was water. His living circumstances are appalling. As the protagonist becomes a member of the herd, the distinction between Najeeb’s life and the lives of the goats he herds gradually becomes less clear. The main plot point of the narrative is Najeeb’s moving existence in the desert and how he manages to escape his Arab captor and return home.
For this amazing piece, Prithviraj truly embodied the role of Najeeb Muhammad. He put in a lot of time and effort throughout the filming, and it shows. His physical metamorphosis also contributes significantly to the movie’s realism, demonstrating that he gave his all not simply for the acting. The story was greatly enhanced by outside assistance with things like makeup, hairstyles, and costume design.
Despite having little on screen time, Amala Paul, Najeeb’s wife, gives a moving performance as Sainu. Her performance in the two flashback sequences and a song adds dimension to Sainu and Najeeb’s relationship by highlighting the emotional connection between them and effectively establishing her character.
Jimmy Jean Louis, a Hollywood actor, plays Ibrahim Qadri, Najeeb’s fellow prisoner in the desert, with nuance and charm. His portrayal strengthens the connection between the individuals and gives the story a fascinating new element.
For more than fifteen years, the terrible circumstances surrounding Najeeb Mohammed and, via him, the misery of Keralan migrant laborers hoping for better opportunities in the Arab world, have been highlighted by writer Benyamin’s writings. The book, Aadujeevitham, was adopted by millions of readers due to its poignancy and underlying emotional themes, making it one of the all-time best-selling novels in Malayalam literature.
Screenwriter-director Blessy faced a formidable task in trying to communicate to the audience, in the third person, all the feelings that the main character was experiencing while avoiding too descriptive language. The fact that he completed that assignment, which seemed like stepping on a very slippery slope, is what sets this movie apart.
Blessy’s directing skillfully conveys both the emotional depth of Najeeb’s quest and the abrasive beauty of the desert terrain. A lot of work went into the film’s timing, which lets character growth, conflict, and contemplation happen naturally. A visually spectacular and profoundly moving cinematic experience is produced by Blessy’s skillful directing, which also excels in striking a balance between the inner agony and the majesty of the desert landscape.
Character development, tension, and reflection are all made possible by Blessy’s directing, which expertly conveys the grandeur of the desert environment and Najeeb’s mission. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s outstanding performance and the film’s meticulous attention to detail are credited with its effectiveness in providing a compelling cinematic experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐