This is a Malayalam language film starring Mammootty.
It is a really good reflection of the initial folks from Kerala who had to migrate to the Middle East in order to escape poverty and hunger in the Communist state Kerala.
Even today the Kerala economy primarily runs from the remittances of these emigrants who had to labour and sweat to pull their families out of hardship. They actually never got to live a wholesome life as in most cases they couldn't take their families along. Living with roommates as boarders all their adult lives, just hearing stories of life that's moving ahead back in their homelands, yearning to be with loved ones, it's truly tragic. The director has depicted these beautifully without melodrama.
This is not even the story of the middle class Indians who reside there now. Having the best of cars and lifestyles, they are now there by choice.
This is the story of the hard workers who had to pay the price of believing their Communist political leaders.
How the protagonist opens everyone's eyes informing that when they send money, it is mostly by borrowing. And how the boatman opens the protagonist's eyes by bluntly saying they value the money you send more than you. The truth is so on-the-face, without Narayanan even informing the boatman Velayudhan about what's happening at home.
It is really touching when you hear in the end that he feels successful that thanks to his efforts, his family could lead a good life..
A hats-off to those pioneers truly is not enough. Our prayers to them.
A must watch movie for such an honest depiction.
