Anjali Menon and WCC instigating false complaints ; Kerala 's FEFKA

Now it seems that Anjali Menon and WCC are the troublemakers behind all the issues that were raised against FEFKA the Malayalam filmdom trade body,. Women workers were being forced to level allegations at instance of WCC. To drive the point , the hairdresser lady who worked in Anjali Menon’s film Koode backs this charge by Sibi Malayil who heads FEFKA. But after going through Sibi Malayil’s charge, a little bit of probing , I find that Anjali had been taking up the case of three women makeup members sitting on a dharna in front of the union office. . Read Anjali’s post ; Why does one have to struggle so much to work in this industry? to get memberships in the unions/ organisations? to hold onto safety and workplace rights? to speak up when there is a grievance? to get issues addressed without being intimidated or silenced? Since yesterday these women are sitting on a hunger strike outside the Make Up Union’s office. Where are the organisations and departments that are supposed to work for their welfare and rights? Where is the change? Where is the intent? Now read this ; In a press conference, make-up artist Mitta Antony criticised WCC founder member and director Anjali Menon. n my first movie ‘Koode’, it was Anjali Menon who asked my associate to leave the set. But at last, all blame fell upon me. It was her doings but I got crucified. everything was a game plan of WCC Now Sibi to drive home the point that WCC members are out to create trouble for no reason talks about an incident :”Last night, a leading actress and another member of WCC came to our office at night for a discussion over the issue. As it was late at night, we suggested that the meeting be continued the next morning. However, the WCC members were not ready to leave the office. They are forcing the complainants to talk more about us and aggravate the whole issue”

Why the protest : The protesting artistes alleged that those who deposed before the Hema Committee and resisted harassment are being persecuted with disciplinary actions such as suspension. In contrast, no action has been taken so far against a AKCMH member accused in a case registered under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. “The strike was settled after a discussion with FEFKA officials and the agitators under the leadership of the regional labour officer. Many of the demands raised by the protesters were accepted. We will hold meetings with makeup artists and hair stylists to solve any issues and complaints,” added Sibi.

Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam.: After Saras , another look on motherhood

Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam (Malayalam). is an interesting angle to parenthood for first time couples. Though the shot does not shift from the car front window screen and has two actors talking to each other for close to 85 minutes, the film does not bore those who are interested in the topic that these two youngsters talk. Keeping aside that the couple are not married and in a secret live in relationship, the problems they discuss is also applicable to those who are married.

Jithin and Rima Kalingal are the actors who have the conversation. They are on the way to a lab to get result of a pregnancy test. Rima raises many questions that a middle class working woman faces when she is pregnant. Hubby is a budding actor with no work due to Covid situation. Breaking the news to parents and it's after effects. The hubby not appearing to be much concerned about the problems that they would face if the wife was pregnant.

Conversations veer forth and back with wife blaming the hubby and he being helpless in coming out with any answers that are comforting. Through the entire conversation they address  a whole gamut of issues related to parenthood for a young couple and the society that they live in.

The woman is a film journalist and her interview with an art house film director is also an answer to those who see the film as just two people talking to each other for 85 minutes and in a frame that does not change. The voice is of film's director Don Palthara. The credits say that it is written by the actors Jithin and Rima. I remember reading that the actors had rehearsed thoroughly before the shoot.

Saras which came on OTT talked about a girl who is not too fond of bringing up babies and changing diapers and finding herself in a spot where the in laws are against aborting the baby soon after marriage. Here the problem is about a nuclear couple who would have to grapple with day to day survival and the changes that they have to make. Add to this the stigma that the woman got pregnant before marriage. Finally , all it takes is understanding of each other's outlook.

Interestingly, the English title is  The Joyful Mysteries , verses from the Bible. The Mystery is " The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year" . A message to Roman Catholics ?