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Chithha (2023) - A much needed movie
The brilliance of the film is in the fact that it does not aim to sensationalise with gory details
Poster / Imdb
Films have a potential of setting a tone for debate and discussion in the society. This is why people keep talking of the social responsibility of this mass medium and its tenacity for changing the narrative and thought process of a community. With the advent of OTT platforms the magnitude of film production and release has received new dimensions.
Child molestation and abuse have always been hushed and silenced in the name of family honour and pride in India. Not much was brought to light until the early 2000s. In recent times, we see an evolution in the film industry where directors and writers are exploring different narrative styles giving voice to a lot of things that were considered taboo earlier.
Chithha (2023) was released in theatres on 28, September 2023 and was premiered on Disney Hotstar on 28, November 2023. With a run time of 139 minutes, director Arun Kumar tells us a fascinating story, that would haunt us for a very long time. He has taken up a task of rendering an extremely sensitive plot revolving around a simple family in a small town in Tamil Nadu.
In an interview to Film Companion South, Lead Actor and producer Siddarth mentions that, “We don’t make children movies in India, Children watch movies made for adults.” Which we feel has an element of truth.
The film highlights how adults use mobile phones to distract or gain attention of children. In the beginning to make his niece Sundari (a) Settai from her hiding spot, Eswaran, the Chitthappa / Chithha uses his mobile phone games and calls out her attention. In between when Eswaran is tied up at Ponni’s (his friend’s niece) for allegedly molesting her, Sundari’s mother gives her mobile phone to play and stay distracted outside.
Consciously or otherwise, elders today use mobile phones as baby whispers. This turns out to bring forth tremendous trauma to both the little girls in the film. Gone are the days when pedophiles used candies to lure little children into their trap, today they use mobile games like candy crush to abduct them effortlessly.
The brilliance of the film is in the fact that it does not aim to sensationalise with gory details, but is handles with grace, maturity and excessive care. What happens when a girl child is abducted and abused? How does a family handle the trauma? Will the child come out of PTSD?
The film answers these questions. For people who has questions like, will this happen in our country? And claim that their children are kept safe under our watch. It is wishful thinking.
National Crime Records Bureau report for 2022 states that there is a whooping 8.7% rise in crime against children. Now this is of course limited to crimes that were filed, there are many others that goes unnoticed.
It is time for us to learn that the vulnerability of our children is leading them to greater dangers in the technology driven world. Sexual assaults in children can collapse them and leave a lasting stain in their memories. Families play a vital role in being there for them, helping them come out however long that journey takes.
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