Omani Artist Dr Talib al Balushi: "I Do Not Regret Acting In Aadujeevitahm (Goat's Life)”
After facing backlash on social media for is portrayal of a Kafeel in Blessy’s Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) Omani actor Dr Talib al Balushi stated that he does not regret participating in the Indian film. The movie, which is steaming on Netfilix now has been a major trend on Arab social media for the last couple of days, and the movie and the actor was attacked on the content. Many on social media questioned Dr Talib al Balushi for acting in the film after claiming that the movie is showcasing the Arabs in a bad light.
Talib Mohammed said in an interview with the Omani radio station “Hala FM”: “I do not regret participating in the work at all. On the contrary, I am happy for this great and beautiful work, globally, artistically, and technically. Let them continue the attack until they get tired.”
He added: “In the end, there are open minds that understand and comprehend, and we are all brothers in the Gulf countries, and we do not cause harm or damage.” The Omani artist referred to what he described as “electronic flies”, who intend (in a sense) to offend and create “tension and conflict between us and other countries,” according to him.
He continued: “Unfortunately, I do not want to mention a specific country, but there are people who are working to exploit the film for their own purposes… This is sedition, lies, and hypocrisy that we must rise above,” he said.
He stressed that he is “an actor, and this role has nothing to do with the story of abuse,” and that “this story is true whether we like it or not, regardless of the timing of its presentation,” and that the film “raised a problem that should have been resolved a long time ago,” referring to the “sponsorship” system, which is still in place in many Gulf countries.
Once the reports of hate campaign against the movie emerged, Blessy, director of the acclaimed film has responded to the criticism circulating on Arab social media regarding the portrayal of Arabs in the movie. The film, adapted from Benyamin’s best-selling Malayalam novel, has faced backlash for allegedly depicting Arabs as harsh, particularly through the villainous character of “Kafeel,” portrayed by Omani actor Dr Talib al Balushi.
In his statement, Blessy emphasised that Aadujeevitham is purely a work of art and should be interpreted accordingly. He warned against attempts to misinterpret the film, which could lead to social unrest, and urged viewers to avoid attributing meanings beyond what he, as the writer, director, and producer, intended to convey. Blessy underlined that the film aims to highlight the nobility of the human soul, even in the midst of adversity, and was never meant to offend any individual, race, or nation.
He pointed out that while the movie does depict harsh realities, it also carefully portrays the compassion and empathy of Arab characters, particularly a noble gentleman who rescues the protagonist, Najeeb, in his time of need. Blessy stressed that he alone is responsible for the film’s content, as the sole director, scriptwriter, and producer, with no other parties involved.
Despite the controversy, Aadujeevitham continues to garner praise for its artistic value, with many defending its balanced portrayal of characters and its deeper themes.
