Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

`Atheetham,' quest for salvation

Special Correspondent

The film portrays the conflicts and contradictions in the human mind

Thiruvananthapuram: Where does the search for spiritual truth end? `Atheetham', debutant director Devan Nair's film, is an attempt to answer the question that has tormented man for hundreds of years.

Addressing a press conference after a preview of the film here on Friday, Mr. Devan Nair said his maiden celluloid venture was an endeavour to portray the conflicts and contradictions in the human mind during the quest for salvation. The film deals with the experiences of Anand, an orphan, who is adopted by the head of an ashram to be moulded into a sanyasi.

Stung by the miseries of the poor and the oppressed, Anand realises the futility of his spiritual pursuit. He runs away from the ashram and joins an activist group working among tribal people.

But Anand's questioning mind forces him to challenge some of the group's leaders who are using the organisation to promote their vested interests. He is ultimately forced to sever his association with the group. Wandering aimlessly, Anand's life takes a new turn when he meets a swami at Varanasi.

Debutant actor Rahul Eswar plays the lead role in the film. Ramya Nambisan dons the role of Amrutha, a tribal activist fired by the spirit of revolution. Veteran Kannada actor Dathathreya acts as the guru who takes Anand under his wings.

Urmila Unni, Reshmi Sharma and Master Hritwik are the other actors.

Produced under the banner of Sonnet Cinema, `Atheetham' was shot mainly at Chalakudy and Varanasi. Story, dialogue and direction are by Devan Nair.

Lata Ramdas has lent her voice to Isra Ansari's lyrics. Music is by Pradyumnan Sharma.

Devan Nair said `Atheetham' would be in theatres by January.

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