Neelambari: For a noble cause

It all started with a message. “I usually don’t make it a point to read any sms that lands in my phone. But that day, as I scrolled over one particular message, I knew I was not going to simply rule it out. Being a doctor and more importantly being a woman how could I?,” asks Dr Aswathy Soman while talking about the genesis of her debut directorial venture.

The message bore a small passage on the thoughts of a yet-to-be-born baby from whose perspective Aswathy began to sketch the script for her short film ‘Neelambari’. “The protagonist of my movie is a foetus, and I have named it Neelambari. The script revolves around Neelambari’s happiness in her birth, her excitement on seeing her growth, the love for her mother and finally the shock on realising that she is going to be killed, rather aborted,” Aswathy explains about the theme of her film. She further adds that her central character is a ‘she’ owing to the undeniable increase in female infanticides and foeticides.

“Abortion is no more a sin for at least some couples these days. Little do they think that they are killing their own blood,” says the young doctor who is planning to start an organisation to raise voice against illegal abortions, especially female foeticides.

‘Neelambari’ heading for a New Year release was shot in six days at Amala hospital, Thrissur. “The project wouldn’t have been fruitful, but for the extreme cooperation from Amala. Majority of the cast is hospital staff. Dr Sijo and Cinderella, being my close pals agreed to play the roles of Neelambari’s parents.”

The 30-minute movie steering its way to the film festivals also features a song by Rafeeq Ahmad and a short poem written by Aswathy herself who currently anchors the ‘Star Lights’ programme in Rosebowl channel. Winning many a heart through the exciting afternoon radio program ‘Angane Ippom Uranganda’ for Mathrubhumi Club FM and an anchor for Asianet’s ‘Thaara Sangamam’, Aswathy was initially a choice by director Ranjith for the Prithviraj movie ‘Indian Rupee’. Currently pursuing her PG Diploma in Hospital Management, Aswathy is also the assistant surgeon at Manjeri District Hospital along with her husband Dr Anoop Ravi.

Model, RJ, VJ and actress Aswathy had her film debut through Mohanlal-starrer ‘Spirit’. “Though I have worked before the camera many a times, my passion lies in wearing the director’s hat. Through ‘Neelambari’ my dream has come true,” she signs off.