IFFK Gives Honest Audience Feedback, Says ‘Moham’ Director Fazil Razak

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is a space where filmmakers can show their work to a truly cinema-loving audience and receive honest feedback, says Malayalam filmmaker Fazil Razak, whose latest film Moham (Desire) is being screened at the festival this year.

Fazil Razak, who made his mark with the critically acclaimed film Thadavu (2023), returned to IFFK with Moham, once again featuring actor Beena R Chandran in a major role.

Thadavu had earlier premiered at IFFK and later earned Beena the Kerala State Award for Best Actress, making expectations naturally higher for the director’s second feature.

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Speaking about the response to Moham, Fazil Razak said the reception has been encouraging. “People stayed back after the screenings for the question-and-answer sessions. They shared their opinions openly, both positive and critical. That kind of honest response is what makes IFFK special,” he said.

When asked whether he felt pressure to match the success of Thadavu, the director dismissed the idea. “I made Thadavu in 2023. In 2024 and early 2025, I was working on another project that didn’t work out. I did Moham almost like an exercise. I never thought of competing with Thadavu, so there was no pressure,” he explained.

However, he admitted that the association with his earlier film has helped Moham gain attention. “People identify Moham as a film by the director of Thadavu. That makes me happy. Audiences are coming because they liked Thadavu. Even during the Q&A sessions, they talk about that film, its actors, and their memories of it,” he said.

Moham features Amrutha Krishnakumar in the lead role, who also co-wrote the film along with director Fazil Razak. The film’s visual language is shaped by cinematographer Mridul S., while Vinayak Suthan handles the editing.

The background score, composed by Shamsheed Mariyad. The ensemble cast includes Beena R Chandran, Gauthami Gopan, Vineeth Vasudevan, filmmaker Jeo Baby, Jibin Gopinath of Dies Irae fame, Raina Radhakrishnan, Vijaya Sadhan, Benny John, Anu Varghese, Snigdha Maria, Satheesh P Babu, and Ani Parakkal.

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The film tells its story through two central characters and follows Amala, a woman dealing with mental health challenges, and Shanu, a young man driven by anger and revenge after a breakup caused by his possessive and controlling behaviour.

Through their lives, the film explores desire, manipulation, and the damaging effects of toxic relationships.

In an interview, Fazil Razak described the film’s core theme as the exploitation of vulnerability. “The story looks at how a mentally challenged woman is emotionally and psychologically manipulated by a young man for his personal motives, especially as part of his attempt to take revenge on another woman,” he said.

Critics at IFFK have noted that Moham stands apart in a time when many films tend to glorify toxic masculinity and obsessive love.

Instead, the film highlights the emotional harm such behaviour causes, particularly to women, while also showing how men themselves are damaged by unchecked anger and entitlement.

Moham is being screened in the Malayalam Cinema Today category at the 30th IFFK.

The director also spoke about the film’s swift production process. “The script, shooting, and post-production were completed in a short span. Location scouting happened alongside the writing itself,” he said.

Producer Razak Ahamed came on board after watching Thadavu and believing in Fazil Razak’s approach to storytelling.

On the possibility of a wider release, the filmmaker said festivals are only one part of a film’s journey. Films are not made just for IFFK. They have to work for all kinds of audiences.

If a film is good, it will find its way to more people. But reaching that stage is not easy. Many films are made every year, and only a few get that kind of attention,” he said.

For Fazil Razak, IFFK remains an important platform, not just for visibility, but for meaningful dialogue. “When an audience watches your film with care and responds honestly, it helps you grow as a filmmaker. That is the real value of a festival like IFFK,” he added.