Each rape case ignites a media madness. But once the sensation dies down, they dwindle into small columns lacking all urgency and outrage. Nobody goes in search of the victims after the news value is lost and Oolu, Shaji N Karun’s latest film, addressees this issue. It examines what’s awaits the girl days and months into the dreadful incident. “In Malabar they use oolu instead of aval, the local parlance we have heard so many times from E K Nayanar,” says the director about the title.
The film explores the trauma of a rape victim, a minor girl from Malabar. “It chronicles how her concept of love shatters after the episode,” he says. While it’s Kismath actor Shane Nigam who steps into the male lead the title role will be handled by a newbie. “She is a 14-year-old class 9 student. But we don’t want to reveal more details about her now,” adds the director whose last outing was Swapaanam starring Jayaram in the lead.
Shaji N Karun says the film is not particularly inspired by any real-life incident. “But then every media caters a plenitude of similar incidents,” he adds. Most of the portions of Oolu will be canned in and around Kasargod and the film is expected to go on floors by November.