GROW VASU’ Documentary Released On YouTube, Tracing The Life Of A Revolutionary Worker Leader
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the much-anticipated documentary Grow Vasu was officially released on YouTube.
The film tells the compelling story of Grow Vasu, a former Naxalite, trade union leader, and human rights activist, whose life and political journey continue to inspire generations of activists and workers.
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Following screenings at several prominent festivals including the 16th IDSFFK, Chennai Social Justice Film Festival, Chittur Panchajanyam, and Guftagu Film Fest, the film is now accessible to the public through the AVM Unni Archives YouTube channel.
Ayinoor Vasu Alias Grow Vasu
Directed by Arshaq and jointly produced by Out of Order Films and AVM Unni Archives, the documentary features key technical contributions from Salman Shareef (cinematography), Kevin (editing), and Sanoop Louis (music), with Lukhmanul Hakeem serving as executive producer.
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The film features Grow Vasu’s unfiltered reflections on politics, betrayal, ideology, and survival. Some striking quotes include:
“The tricolour flag is for the capitalists. The green flag is for the Mappilas. The red flag — that’s our flag. The workers’ flag.”
“I slowly realised that even the Naxalite movement had infiltrators, deceivers, and casteist attitudes — and even police agents.”
“They told me to stop. It was painful. But I had to choose to live with dignity or stay humiliated. That’s when I decided to step away from politics.”
“For workers, the real issues are work, wages, and taking care of their families.”
“Even if he causes trouble, I’ll still walk with him like a shadow. I have no complaints — he doesn’t know any better.”
“I spent three days alone in the forest.”
“You’re lucky,” he told me. “If they saw you, they would’ve shot immediately. They pulled Comrade Varghese from among his people and shot him instead.”
“He never came back. I’m certain he must have died. If he were alive, he would’ve returned.”
“Why did nothing happen between 1947 and 1970? Didn’t you have power then? It took bloodshed from communist revolutionaries to make things move.”
“Long live the martyrs of the Western Ghats.”
This one-hour-long video is a powerful documentation of a political era, capturing the internal contradictions of revolutionary movements and the personal cost of ideological commitment. The film adds a critical voice to the archives of Indian political cinema and labor history as well.
