Aadujeevitham Or The Goat Life Might Reshape The Way We See Indian Cinema
In 2009, an idea bloomed to adapt the best-selling novel Goat Days, written by Benyamin, which itself was inspired by the real-life experience of a man called Najeeb Muhammad. Following a decade-long ideation phase, the shooting of the film began in 2018 with a plan to wrap up within two years. But then COVID-19 happened. Another year and a half of post-production followed. After roughly 16 years of hardship, Aadujeevitham, or The Goat Life, is finally set to release on March 28, 2024.
The film is directed by the National Award winner Blessy, who also won six Kerala State Film Awards for Kaazhcha (2004), Thanmathra (2005), and Pranayam (2011). Starring the talented actor-director-producer Prithiviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, the film marks the reunion of musical legends Resul Pookutty and AR Rahman. The last time the two musical maestros worked together on Slumdog Millionaire, they created history by bringing Oscars home.
The Malayalam film industry is riding high on recent successes like Manjummel Boys, Premalu, and Bramayugam. The three films have had immense commercial success and critical acclaim. In a recent interview, Prithviraj expressed his gratitude to these films for setting the stage and generating nationwide buzz, including in Tamil Nadu and Telugu markets. With Aadujeevitham or The Goat Life being the next big release, much bigger than the three films in terms of all aspects, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Malayalam film industry is about to do something incredible for the world of Indian cinema.
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Blessy’s search for a producer to back his dream project finally came to an end in 2015. Jimmy Jean-Louis, a Haitian actor and producer who also plays a pivotal role in the film, and Steven Adams joined the team. With Blessy co-producing, the film’s shooting from 2018 to 2022 was a struggle. When the pandemic hit, the crew had to be evacuated by the Indian government from Jordan. The film”s meticulous production journey, spanning multiple locations including Jordan, Algeria’s Sahara Desert, and Kerala, reflects a commitment to authenticity. By choosing to shoot organically, the film has another unique dimension that adds to the cinematic experience.
The survival drama depicts the life of an immigrant worker and his odyssey of escape after being kidnapped and enslaved on a goat farm in a desert. From the recently released trailer, the film promises spectacular visuals of desert land, sandstorms, and, of course, goats. The heart-rending background score by AR Rahman escalates the power of the visuals. Prithviraj himself undergoes a spellbinding transformation, his matted hair and beard being one of the many, to depict the unjust ordeal of a lone man in a land unknown.
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Once again, Oscar rumours are rife in the air. Not only because cinemagoers will witness the magic of Pookutty and Rahman, but also because of its grand scale and the team behind The Goat Life. The international co-production between India and the United States is produced by Visual Romance Image Makers, Alta Global Media, and Jet Media Production. The film also features Amala Paul, KR Gokul, and Arab actors Talib al-Balushi and Rik Aby.
The convergence of incredible talent, coupled with the film’s emotional storyline adapted from a celebrated novel, positions Aadujeevitham, or The Goat Life, as a potential contender for international recognition, including a shot at the Oscars.
