Not a drop to drink

Six long years ago, people of Kerala received a shock. A water quality survey conducted by the Ministry of Water Resources across the 28 states of India had come out with the disheartening result that Kerala has the most impure water in the country. The current status is, however, unknown. Therefore, it becomes necessary to talk in public about issues like drinking water shortage as well as the quality of water.

Focusing on these issues, the film Arakkirukkan was released in theatres on April 20. It aims to touch on the most crucial aspects of this problem and make the public aware of this situation.

Apart from being a film with a social message, this is also a family entertainer made in a commercial format. It is the first Malayalam movie to cast more than a hundred new faces. Sunil Vishwachaithanya has directed and written the screenplay of the movie. Prof Shobheendran, noted environmental activist, is the chief coordinator of the movie. Cinematography and music direction are by Siby Joseph Kolambel and Poulose Johns respectively. The lead role in Arakkirukkan is played by Kozhikode Bhargava Kalari Guru, Rajesh Gurukkal.

The movie crew had cleaned a pond near Mokavoor, Kozhikode, during the shooting schedule. Children, actors, Nirav residents’ association members and Uralungal Labour Contract Society Ltd strived together for one whole month to clean it. Almost 300 people from Kozhikode and nearby districts cooperated in the making of the movie. After shooting the movie in Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Nilambur, the work was completed in a year.

The film is produced by Sunil Cinemas. The audio CD release of the movie was held at Putharikkandam ground in the capital city on March 19, in the ‘Paithrukam’ programme by former ISRO Chief Dr Madhavan Nair. He presented the CD to Sugathakumari teacher.