Jeo Baby is a renowned and highly talented film director who contributed significantly to Indian cinema. He has gained popularity for his exceptional work in the Malayalam film industry, predominantly based in Kerala, a beautiful state in southern India. Malayalam cinema, also known as Mollywood, is widely recognised for its unique storytelling, captivating visuals, and exceptional performances.
Jeo Baby is considered amongst the most creative and innovative filmmakers in the Malayalam film industry. His movies are known for their artistic and aesthetic appeal and their ability to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. He has directed numerous critically acclaimed movies that have won several awards, including the National Film Award.
One of his most notable works is the 2021 film Great Indian Kitchen, which received widespread acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the struggles of women in Indian households. The movie was praised for its exceptional direction, screenplay, and performance.
Joe Baby’s latest film
In November 2023, Jeo Baby’s latest film, Kaathal (the Core), was released, and it garnered a lot of attention from movie enthusiasts and critics alike. The film is expected to be yet another masterpiece from the director, featuring a unique storyline, exceptional performances, and breathtaking visuals.
Kaathal (The Core)
The movie Kaathal has drawn attention due to its bold presentation of a controversial theme, an LGBTQ+ love story. This is not the first instance of director Jeo Baby exploring such themes. In 2007, he wrote and produced a short film called Secret Mind, which also dealt with homosexuality. However, when the film was presented at a university film festival, the university staff took issue with its content. They claimed that the film contained vulgar and misleading content and was unsuitable for young people. As a result, Jeo Baby and other artists involved in the movie were expelled from the university. This incident highlights the challenges filmmakers face when exploring sensitive and controversial subjects and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. But after 16 years, Jeo Baby is again making a film under the same theme that got him censored.
He not only engages a super actor in Mollywood cinema to tell his story but also wins the attention of the audience and critics.
The story of the movie in brief
Mathew lives with his wife Omana, daughter and father. A political party that his father contributed heavily to is recommending Mathew for their next rural election.
Mathew is a character who has won the favour of the villagers. But all this is turned upside down when Mathieu’s wife Omana files a divorce case. Mathieu and Omana have been married for 20 years.
As the reasons for the case, she presents the fact that she is not getting sexual satisfaction in her married life and that Mathew is a homosexual person.
This case hinders Mathew’s political campaign. Moreover, this challenge is doubled for Mathew, who lives in a strict Catholic religious environment.
But Omana can no longer continue as it has done for twenty years.
The same is valid for Mathew. He has to face the identity he has been hiding for years.
Restrained acting by Mammootty and Jyothika
In this film, Jeo Baby has brought together two giants from two different film industries to present a unique story that has not been exaggerated to showcase their star quality. The director has maintained the usual calm and composed nature of his films in this movie as well.
The film presents several issues in South Asian families with great precision. The most significant aspect highlighted in the movie is the fear of confronting real problems in most South Asian families. This fear leads to a lack of communication, creating more significant issues.
The family of Mathew, one of the film’s main characters, is a perfect example of this phenomenon. Mathew’s family is seen finding excuses instead of seeking appropriate solutions to the real problem, leading to unnecessary exhaustion. The director has emphasized the extent to which a person can hide their true identity due to societal fear.
The characters of Mathew and Omana illustrate this point powerfully. Omana comes before Mathew in the film, and she cannot hide her lack of sexual satisfaction in her married life for twenty years any more. The portrayal of Omana’s character highlights the issues of male dominance and female suppression prevalent in South Asian societies.
Mathew, on the other hand, hides his homosexuality from society due to fear of rejection and societal pressure. The director has portrayed both characters in a very human form, highlighting the challenges and struggles of individuals living in such societies.
The film also highlights the importance of communication and acceptance in families and societies. The characters of Mathew and Omana show that hiding one’s true identity or problems only leads to more significant issues and hardships.
The film presents a realistic portrayal of the problems and challenges faced by individuals and families in South Asian societies. The director has done an excellent job of portraying the characters in a very realistic and human form, making the film relatable to a broader audience.
A controversial topic
The film features Mammootty as Mathew, who departs from his typical superstar persona. Mammootty delivers a remarkable performance, fully embodying every aspect of his character. The film’s final scenes are particularly noteworthy as his acting is exceptionally compelling.
Jyothika portrays Omana, a character who is silent but full of piercing pain. She delivers an outstanding performance that complements Mammootty’s acting very well. Her portrayal of Omana is executed with great precision and skill.
The film’s only shortcoming is that the background of Mathew’s homosexual life is not adequately developed. If the relationship between him and his homosexual colleague, Thankan, had been portrayed more humanely, the ending of the film would have been even more powerful. However, the director cannot be blamed for this, as the theme is still controversial in Asian society.
The film’s technical aspects are also noteworthy. Salu K Thomas’s camera and Mathews Pulickan’s music direction are particularly noteworthy. They strongly contribute to highlighting the emotions of the characters in the film. The camera work is especially impressive, as it captures the characters’ emotions very compellingly.
The film is a must-watch for those who appreciate great performances and technical excellence. Despite its controversial theme, the film delivers a powerful message that stays with the audience long after it ends.
