The news of ആടുജീവിതം triggered memories of my childhood, a time when my father took me and my siblings to the cinema. Affectionately known as Mathachen, my father, M.S. Mathew, managed our family’s provision shop in the Changanacherry market. Despite his bustling schedule, he always found moments to delve into books borrowed from the municipal library and the esteemed ‘Mathrubhoomy’ weekly.

He had a refined taste, ensuring that we caught movies adapted from the novels he had read during their premiere week. Interestingly, during those days, Changanacherry wasn’t a centre for film releases, so we travelled to Tiruvalla or Kottayam to watch these films. We attended the second show at 9:00 pm to accommodate his return from the shop. As children, we simply reveled in the movies, unconcerned with Achachen’s comparisons between the films and their original novels. These films, born from renowned books and novels, often became massive hits at the box office. Titles like ഉമ്മാച്ചു, ഓടയിൽനിന്ന്, പണിതീരാത്ത വീട്, ഓളവും തീരവും, ചെമ്മീൻ, അരനാഴികനേരം remain fresh in our memories. Such were the evenings of our cinematic adventures, shaped by our father’s deep literary passions.

In recent years, the frequency of movies adapted from books or novels has noticeably declined. Instead, the majority of films are based on scripts tailored specifically for the cinema, often centered on mega stars or popular actors. This shift may have been influenced by a scarcity of available literary source material, coupled with the increasing number of films being produced. Unfortunately, this transition has resulted in a loss of depth in character portrayal and the detailed depiction of the story’s time and environment.

The film ആടുജീവിതം emerged after a prolonged gap as an adaptation of a book authored by Benyamin in 2008. Spanning 255 pages, it lies between the realms of a short story and a novel and is termed a novella. Benyamin himself has acknowledged that it is 30% based on the real-life story of Najeeb Mohammed. The narrative follows a Kerala emigrant to Saudi Arabia, lured by dreams of prosperity in the Petro-rich Middle East, only to find himself enslaved by a brutal Arab, herding goats in the Saudi desert. The book, originally written in Malayalam, has gone through 100 reprints and has gained immense popularity both within and beyond Kerala, with numerous translations. The book has received prizes and awards, both national and international.

Book Vs Movie: In a novel/novella, readers are guided through the era, setting, and characters, allowing for vivid imaginations. However, in a film adaptation, the director’s interpretation dictates the visual representation, potentially deviating from both the author’s original vision and that imagined by readers. The conversion from novel/novella to film often leaves little to the imagination of the viewers. I came across a few who have read ആടുജീവിതം, the novella, but will refrain from watching the movie. Their rationale is that viewing the film might force them to replace the vivid visuals they have in their minds.

While the record-breaking success of the film indicates its commercial triumph, it does not necessarily answer whether the film aligns with the visualizations of its readers. Reviews of the movie often offer subjective opinions and lack direct comparison to the source material. A survey among those who have experienced both the book and the movie could provide valuable insights into the movie’s success in capturing the essence of the original story.

The movie reflects the quintessential Malayalee archetype: the determined seeker of fortune or means of survival. Kerala Diaspora is scattered across the globe, estimated at 2.1 million according to the Kerala Migration Survey 2018, with nearly 90% residing in Gulf countries, where the plot of ആടുജീവിതം enfolds. Despite claims of growth and progress by the country and the state, the number of migrants has increased considerably in recent years. Their focus has shifted towards the West—specifically the USA, Canada, Europe, and the Far East—Australia and New Zealand. This trend is primarily observed within the educated middle class. One notable trait of Malayalees is their remarkable capacity for adaptation and assimilation. Despite initial challenges in unfamiliar territories, most eventually overcome these hurdles through gradual adaptation. However, a few ultimately experience circumstances, in varying degrees, to what Najeeb encounters in ആടുജീവിതം.

The success of the film at the box office, and hopefully in global ratings as well, will serve as a testament to the quality of original writers on one side and the resilience, adaptability, and survival instincts of these migrants on the other.

May this unprecedented success mark the beginning of a new era for novelists and authors, increase in number of readers, and for their works to be adapted into world-class films.