Set in a rural village of Kerela, telling the story of Abu and Aisumma, an aging Muslim couple struggling hard to cope with the changing phases of life, this is an original and beautiful piece of art worth experiencing.
The loving couple aspires to go for Hajj pilgrimage for which they keep saving a good part out of their limited income and go on sacrificing a lot in their daily lives to achieve the holy aim. Knowing their only wish a few non-Muslim friends of the couple, do offer their humble contribution for the same representing the social harmony. But Abu, being a true Muslim, wishes to go for Hajj with his own hard earned money only as per the Islamic directions. Along with caring wife Aisumma, Abu tries his best to arrange for everything required to fulfill their last desire and the film ends on a highly emotional note bringing tears into your eyes and a smile too understanding their painful acceptance with love.
Revolving around the core theme of Hajj, its not that one needs to be a Muslim to understand or reach the depth of that elderly couple’s only wish as it may seem. Because deep down, our souls do not belong to any specific religion and they can compassionately feel both love as well as the pain for the other, irrespective of any faith, colour or region. Therefore the moment it ends on a sensitive note, all you have in mind is its lead character Abu and his truthful following of Islam, adoringly supported by an equally lovable wife forming a blissful couple.
Written, directed & co-produced by the debutant Salim Ahamed, the film strongly brings forward the need and importance of watching Indian Regional Movies by any movie buff living all over the globe. There are no lavish production values, no inviting glamour, no foreign locations and nothing inserted just for the sake of increasing the commercial value. Yet it subtly teaches you how film-making is actually supposed to be the art of story-telling adding something to your otherwise routine life, urgently. With a soothing background score, apt music and cinematography, Adaminte Makan Abu (Abu, Son of Adam) is a highly authentic work, deserving much more appreciation from the viewers carving for great cinema.
Featuring Salim Kumar and Zarina Wahab in the lead roles acting superbly along with a talented supporting cast, the film won several awards at Kerala State Awards and was also given four National Film Awards in 2011 namely Best Film, Best Actor (Salim Kumar as Abu), Best Cinematography and Best Background Score. It was India's official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film Category for the Academy Awards in 2011 but was sadly not nominated for the final contenders. So if you do wish to see something highly original and meaningful truly representing the real Indian heart, then go for this lesser known classic as a must. And I am sure after watching the final moments of the film you would be on the net, looking for more similar gems from the regional movies as a sincere appreciator of cinema as it should be.
In few words, Adaminte Makan Abu is certainly one of those few beautiful films which leave you emotionally enriched and a better human, caring about the others along with following your own individual faith, truthfully.
Written & Directed By Salim Ahmed
Starring : Salim Kumar, Zareena Wahab, M.R. Gopakumar, Jaffer Idukki and more.
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Adaminte Makan Abu (2011 Malayalam), Movies To See Before You Die Drama, Enriching Movies, Best Indian Movies List, Worth Watching Movies List by Bobby Sing, Not To Be Missed Films List by Bobby Sing, Indian Films at Oscars
