Synopsis
A typical day of Khadeeja, a young mother, begins. The lower middle class Muslim household has confined her to a boring routine where her life revolves around the chores in the house & religious activities. She has an indifferent equation with her husband Naseer. Like millions of women out there, she silently endures the sexual suppression sans complaints. Her mother in law is a nagging presence in her life. However, Khadeeja is more worried about her mentally-disturbed mother, who also happens to be mute. Her father died few years ago. Her only brother Shanavas disappeared few weeks ago. Her mother’s condition is worsening. But her husband’s family is not ready to bear the burden of a mad woman. Police arrives. Khadeeja has been brought to the police station for questioning. Apparently, her brother Shanavas joined ISIS. Police releases them after questioning. Khadeeja and her mother come to their house on the beach. Furious religious extremists attack their home that night. Next day, Khadeeja receives a letter from the mosque intimating that they have been banned from entering the mosque owing to the latest developments. Khadeeja and mother visit Abubakkar, a wealthy man in the community, who was instrumental in arranging a job for Shanavas in the Gulf region. But now he doesn’t want to get involved in the mess. In the meantime, Naseer divorces Khadeeja at the insistence of his parents. He simply sends a message to Khadeeja on his phone, which reads - “Talak Talak Talak,” The most convenient way to end a marriage.Abubakkar sends money and a letter, wherein he asks Khadeeja and mother to go to a mosque in the neighbouring state. Khadeeja decides to go there as she needs to get away from the prying eyes. They come to the said mosque. But soon Khadeeja realizes that it’s not the place she hoped for. As it turns out, the old Muadeen at the mosque is actually a kind man, who warns Khadeeja about the place and the nefarious activities go on in there.If you appear vulnerable, there will be enough people to take advantage of your plight. He warns.Khadeeja realizes that even sex trade happens in religious places, where it is even easier for perpetrators to run their business without bothering about the society.The next day, Khadeeja comes to know about the demise of Shanavas via a newspaper article. Security forces had killed Shanavas and his gang members in the ISIS training camp in Kashmir.Muadeen tries to console her. He offers key to a deserted house in the island that he owns. Khadeeja and her mother move in to the house. They try to make it their new home.In the meantime, Khadeeja starts reading Osho. It has awaked something in her.Coming back to Kerala hasn’t made Khadeeja’s life easy. In fact, It was never meant to be easy.Sharks can smell blood from miles away. The fat shopkeeper has no qualms in expressing his lust for Khadeeja’s body whenever she goes to the local shop.A journalist appears from nowhere. Apparently she wants to help. She helps Khadeeja to set up a new bank account. The news coverage is meant to help the orphan sister and mother of the terrorist. In turn, they also help their TRP ratings.Khadeeja’s mother, who was clueless about Shanavas’s death up until this point, comes to know about it via a newspaper article. The next morning, the old woman dies, thereby putting an end to all her suffering.The mosque refuses to receive her body for final rights, sighting the reason of ban imposed on the family. Khadeeja, who is left with no choice, takes her mother’s body to the nearby electric funeral house.Khadeeja is finally free – of all the bonds, of all the suffering attached to it. The news coverage has been helpful. It managed to amass a considerable amount of money in the bank account. Khadeeja accepts the money. For the first time in her life, Khadeeja looks determined. She finally seems to have clarity as what she needs to do with her life.Khadeeja visits the Muadeen. Hands over the money, and requests him to use it for charitable purposes.She quietly walks away – as a new woman. Khadeeja approaches the fat shopkeeper. It’s plain and simple. She is ready to enter the sex trade. Probably, her suppressed sexuality prompted her to take such a route. The fat shopkeeper becomes her maiden customer. He also becomes her procurer.Beginning of a new life. An adventurous life. But it definitely has its pitfalls.When it comes to the flesh trade, there is no class, caste, religion or creed. Everyone is equal. Only money matters.Young, old, teenagers, middle-aged, unmarried, married, businessmen, students, employed, unemployed, movie stars, army men, teachers – nobody said NO to her flesh. She begins to see a pattern in the men she slept with. She realizes that men are simple; and a very fragile sex compared to women. Khadeeja is slowly losing interest in the trade. But hope comes in the form of an unplanned pregnancy. She now has a reason to look forward to the life ahead.Khadeeja is finally tired of the ways of sadistic men who wants to rape her in packs.She decides to bid good bye to the trade. She discusses it with Muadeen. He encourages.But she has an unfulfilled desire; to throw a ceremony to commemorate her diseased father on his death anniversary. For this she needs the support of the mosque. Muadeen suggests a grand Iftaar party instead. Khadeeja agrees.This Iftaar party has a theme – religious harmony. Khadeeja personally invites various religious heads, politicians and other important people in the society.Khadeeja invites her ex-husband too. He has a new wife. And Khadeeja is still prohibited from meeting her son. Police shows up. Apparently, they want to question Khadeeja. As anticipated, it was a pretext for rape. Khadeeja has been hospitalized. And she has lost her child too. Khadeeja tells Muadeen that the Iftaar party should happen as planned. And she is determined to use the money she earned by selling her body for the same purpose. The day has finally arrived.The beach is ready to host the grand Iftaar party, only meant for the VIPs.Khadeeja deposits her excretes and the body of dead child in the food they have been preparing. Only Khadeeja knows this secret. VIPs are pleased. The food was sumptuous. The guests leave.Muadeen finally comes to know. He is not pleased. Khadeeja is not proud of what she has done. In hindsight, it looks like there was no need for it.Khadeeja seeks peace. She feeds dogs and pigeons on the beach. The final scene.Khadeeja stands next to a bridge. She gets rid of the Pardah she was wearing. And jumps off the bridge. One after another, women from various faiths repeat the same.Now we see them sitting on a boat.And they all look content.
Credits
cast: Kani Kusruthi, J Shailaja, Surjith Gopinath, Anil Nedumangad, Jayachandran
Cinematography: Karthik Muthukumar
Editor: Appu N Bhattathiri
Art Director: Nitish Chandran Acharya
Costume: Nineesh Mananthavady
Sound Design: Sajin Baabu
Sound Mixing: Vinod P Shivram