In Zachariyayude Garbhinikal that hits the screens today, director Aneesh Anwar narrates the story of five women and a gynaecologist played by Lal. Four of the women, Fathima (Rima Kallingal), Saira (Sanusha), Sister Jasmine Jennifer (Geetha) and Anuradha (Sandra Thomas), are pregnant and under Dr. Zachariah’s care. Rounding up the quintet is Susan (Asha Sharreth), Dr. Zachariah’s wife.
“These women from different walks of life are facing emotional and psychological problems in addition to pregnancy related issues. Fathima is a rustic woman from Kasaragod; Saira is a Plus Two student; Jennifer hopes to become a mother at the age of 52 while Anuradha becomes pregnant after an extra-marital affair. While Fathima’s story is loaded with humour, Anuradha's is a bit of a thriller. The other three women’s tales deal with serious issues. Certain ethical issues are also raised in the film,” says Aneesh, who debuted with Mullamottum Munthiricharum .
“The focus is on these women. Almost every woman goes through various problems during her journey to motherhood,” believes the director.
Recently, film director Blessy’s Kalimannu had created controversy for shooting, among others, the real-life delivery of its lead star Swetha Menon. Are subjects such as pregnancy and delivery becoming a trend in Malayalam cinema?
“It was after Kalimannu was announced that we started our project. We are sure that there are no similarities between the two movies. I have never been bothered about formulas or possible controversies while dealing with a subject like this. All I wanted was to make a good film,” says the writer-director.
Vishnu Narayan is the cinematographer and the music has been composed by Vishnu- Sharath. Zachariyayude Garbhinikal is being produced under the banner of Friday Film House by Vijay Babu and Sandra Thomas.
“My character goes through a lot of emotional stress in her family life, as she is married to a man who is much older to her,” says Sandra.
Adds Aneesh: “Sandra and I were working on another project and it had a wide canvas but the idea for Zachariyayude Garbhinikal came somewhere in between. It is an interesting story. Now we hope that the film delivers.”
