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{{Short description|2024 film by Anand Ekarshi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Aattam
| image = Aattam film poster.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| alt =
| director = [[Anand Ekarshi]]
| writer = Anand Ekarshi
| producer = Ajith Joy
| starring = {{ubl|[[Zarin Shihab]]|[[Vinay Forrt]]|[[Kalabhavan Shajohn]]|Aji Thiruvamkulam|Jolly Antony|Madan Babu K.|Nandhan Unni|Prasanth Madhavan|Sanosh Murali|Santhosh Piravom|Selvaraj Raghavan V. R.|Sijin Sijeesh|Sudheer Babu}}
| music = [[Basil C J]]
| cinematography = Anurudh Aneesh
| editing = Mahesh Bhuvanend
| studio = Joy Movie Productions
| distributor = Reliance Entertainment
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2023|10|13|IFFLA|ref1=<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianfilmfestival.org/films/aattam/ |title=Aattam (The Play)}}</ref>|2024|01|05}}
| runtime = 139 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget = 
| gross = {{INR}} 1.5 crore<ref>{{cite news |date=19 January 2024 |title='Aattam' box office collections: Anand Ekarshi's film crosses Rs 1 crore in 2 weeks |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/aattam-box-office-collections-anand-ekarshis-film-crosses-rs-1-crore-in-2-weeks/articleshow/106991197.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119141052/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/aattam-box-office-collections-anand-ekarshis-film-crosses-rs-1-crore-in-2-weeks/articleshow/106991197.cms |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
}}

'''''Aattam''''' ({{Translation|The Play}}) is a 2023 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[thriller film]] written and directed by [[Anand Ekarshi]]. The film was produced by Ajith Joy through Joy Movie Productions.

The film won the 2023 Grand Jury Award at the [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/oct/16/aattam-wins-grand-jury-award-for-best-film-at-indian-film-festival-of-los-angeles-48661.html |title=Aattam wins Grand Jury Award for Best Film at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles |date=16 October 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023 |work=Cinema Express}}</ref> It was also chosen as the opening feature film at the [[54th International Film Festival of India]] held at Goa,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/54th-iffi-malayalam-film-aattam-chosen-to-be-the-opening-feature-film/d9c576264a170 |title=54th IFFI: Malayalam film Aattam chosen to be the opening feature film |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |work=OTT Play}}</ref> and won best film at 70th [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/malayalam-movie-aattam-wins-national-award-for-best-feature-film |title=Malayalam Movie Aattam Wins National Award For Best Feature Film |work=Free Press Journal}}</ref>

== Plot ==
''Aattam'' explores the complex dynamics within a theater group, Arangu, composed of thirteen members—twelve men and one woman—and their production of a satirical play that critiques the male gaze in society. The story centers on Anjali, a dedicated actress who has been part of the group since she was sixteen. Despite her passion and talent, Anjali is treated by her male colleagues not as an equal artist but as a subordinate, relegated to traditional "women's tasks" such as stitching costumes and applying makeup. This systemic gender disparity becomes evident as Anjali shines on stage, especially in her portrayal of the character Padmini, outshining her male counterparts.

Among the group is Hari, a cinematic actor who has recently joined Arangu. His star power brings increased attention and financial benefits to the group, composed of ordinary people with diverse professions, including drivers, plumbers, and chefs. While this success is vital for the group, it also fuels competition and envy, particularly from Vinay, another member who dreams of being the lead but feels overshadowed by Hari's rising fame.

The group celebrates the success of their play at a party hosted by Hari's foreign friends, where tensions rise. Amidst the revelry, some of the members criticize Anjali for her behavior and attire, accusing her of being too free-spirited and provocatively dressed. Anjali, however, remains confident, feeling that she deserves to enjoy herself after her impressive performance. Unbeknownst to the others, Anjali is secretly having an affair with Vinay, who has yet to divorce his wife.

As the evening progresses, Anjali returns to her shared room with Sajitha and her daughter. The next morning, she mysteriously disappears. Anjali later reveals that she was groped while asleep, with her only clue being the scent of perfume and a key left behind by the perpetrator. She suspects Hari, but without clear evidence, the matter remains clouded in uncertainty. Disturbed and disgusted, Anjali confides in Vinay, trusting him to help her navigate the situation.

Vinay, whose ego is already bruised by Hari's swift rise to prominence, sees this incident as an opportunity to challenge Hari's position within the group. His motivations, however, are complicated by personal feelings, including his desire to secure a male lead role for himself and his discontent with Hari's celebrity status. Rather than bringing the issue to the group immediately, Vinay confides in Malaban, the senior-most member, out of concern that revealing the affair would create suspicions of conspiracy and further complicate matters.

The group is eventually summoned to a meeting, where differing opinions emerge. Some members dismiss Anjali's accusations as baseless, while others call for Hari's expulsion. Some members accuse Anjali of being intoxicated and possibly hallucinating, while others blame her provocative attire. The discussion becomes more about self-preservation than justice, with many members concerned about the impact on their potential European tour, which would offer them a life-changing opportunity.

Anjali is eventually confronted by the group, where her evidence—mainly the key ring and her memories of the incident—are debated. Some members even suggest that Anjali might have experienced tactile hallucinations. The discussion shifts away from the truth, with Malaban suggesting that the accusation might be a mere illusion. Meanwhile, others are more concerned with protecting their reputations and the potential loss of the foreign tour than addressing the gravity of Anjali's trauma.

Feeling betrayed by Vinay's reluctance to support her and the group's lack of empathy, Anjali decides to leave the theater group, realizing that her dignity and self-worth are no longer compatible with their toxic environment. The film culminates in a shocking revelation: Hari admits that the promised European tour was a fabrication, orchestrated as a prank in retaliation for a similar trick pulled on him by Malaban in the past. This revelation exposes the self-serving nature of the men in the group, highlighting their indifference to Anjali's suffering.

In the final act, Anjali takes the stage once more, reenacting her role in the play. She declares that she no longer cares to identify the perpetrator because, to her, all the men in the group are potential perpetrators, indifferent to her pain and struggles. The film ends with a powerful statement: justice was not achieved by the men, but rather by art, through the theater, where Anjali reclaims her voice.

== Cast ==
{{Cast list|* [[Zarin Shihab]] as Anjali
* [[Vinay Forrt]] as Vinay
* [[Kalabhavan Shajohn]] as Hari
* Aji Thiruvamkulam as Aji
* Jolly Antony as Jolly
* Madan Babu K. as Madan
* Nandhan Unni as Nandhan
* Prasanth Madhavan as Prasanth
* Sanosh Murali as Sanosh
* Santhosh Piravom as Santhosh
* Selvaraj Raghavan V. R. as Selvan
* Sijin Sijeesh as Sijin
* Sudheer Babu as Sudheer}}

== Release ==
After screenings at [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles|IFFLA]], [[International Film Festival of India|IFFI]] and [[International Film Festival of Kerala|IFFK]], ''Aattam'' was released in theaters on 5 January 2024 to acclaim from audiences and critics.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aattam-review-anand-ekarshis-debut-is-a-gripping-critique-of-gender-dynamics-661210 |title=Aattam review: Anand Ekarshi's debut is a gripping critique of gender dynamics |date=21 November 2023 |access-date=21 November 2023 |work=Wion}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aattam-movie-review-anand-ekarshis-assured-debut-trains-a-harsh-critical-lens-on-male-behaviour/article67445962.ece |title='Aattam' movie review: Anand Ekarshi's assured debut trains a harsh, critical lens on male behaviour |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/special-pages/iffk-2023/reviews/zarin-shihab-vinay-fortt-anand-ekarshi-movie-aattam-review-1.9157175 |title=ആശയങ്ങളുടെ വാഗ്വാദം, കണ്മുന്നിൽ തെളിയുന്ന രാഷ്ട്രീയം |date=15 December 2023 |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=Mathrubhumi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2024/01/05/aattam-movie-review-vinay-forrt-zarin-shihab-anand-ekarshi.html |title=Aattam: A thoughtful, well-written movie apt for our times |date=5 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=Manorama}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/aattam-review-debutant-anand-ekarshis-film-is-a-gripping-take-on-human-hypocrisies |title=Aattam review: Debutant Anand Ekarshi's film is a gripping take on human hypocrisies |date=5 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/aattam-x-review-anand-ekarshis-film-wins-praise-from-cinephiles/articleshow/106575594.cms?from=mdr |title='Aattam' X review: Anand Ekarshi's film wins praise from cinephiles |date=5 January 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 100% of 7 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.5/10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aattam (2023) {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/aattam_2023 |access-date=30 January 2025 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Recipient
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="3" |2024
| rowspan="3" |[[70th National Film Awards]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film]]
| Anand Ekarshi
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite news |title=70th National Film Awards full list of winners: Brahmastra, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, Aattam win big |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/70th-national-film-awards-full-list-of-winners-brahmastra-ponniyin-selvan-part-1-aattam-win-big-101723799613996.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[National Film Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]]
| Mahesh Bhuvanend
|-
| [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| Anand Ekarshi
|-
| rowspan="3" |2023
| rowspan="3" |[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| Anand Ekarshi
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kerala Film Critics Awards announced, Aattam adjudged best film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-film-critics-awards-announced-aattam-adjudged-best-film/article68168365.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| [[Kalabhavan Shajohn]]
|-
| [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Zarin Shihab]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links==
* {{IMDb title|27302079}}
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film}}

[[Category:2023 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kerala]]
[[Category:Twelve Angry Men]]
[[Category:Films about discrimination]]
[[Category:Films set in Kerala]]
[[Category:2024 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2024 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films about the film industry]]
[[Category:Films about sexual abuse]]
[[Category:Films about sexual harassment]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:Best Feature Film National Film Award winners]]

Aattam - Revision history

Ghazal Builders at 20:33, 20 March 2026