THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city has without doubt influenced Sajin Babu, a self-taught filmmaker. His observations of society, its role in shaping an individual, is portrayed through his film Ayal Sasi which is releasing on Friday. A week before the release the young director gets the reinforcement of his observation about society through a near-death experience. A bike accident at Thirumala on Saturday night left him bleeding for an hour while the crowd gathered around him remained mere spectators. The incident made Sajin relate his predicament with that of the lead character in his movie.
Sajin and Sasi
The titular character Sasi Namboothiri, played by actor Sreenivasan, relocates from the outskirts of the city to get attention. A near-death experience prompts Sasi to return to his native place and the social and political realities around his life unravel before the viewers.
The satire pokes fun at the social experience influenced by religious, caste and political identities.
Sajin said his own experience while waiting for medical help was overwhelming. After completing his work related to the upcoming movie, his was on his way to his house at Peyad by around 9.30 pm. There was a slight drizzle and he was driving a bit faster to reach home before the rain fell heavily. Just when he was about to reach Thirumala junction a dog jumped in front of his bike.
Everything then happened in a flash and Sajin found himself lying on the road with his head and leg bleeding profusely. Soon people began gathering around him. He was praying that someone would take him to the nearest hospital. But no one did. Instead, all he could hear was the onlookers making comments, some of which confirms his observations about the society.
“Look how his head is bleeding. He is going to die.” “Auto drivers are the ones who take the injured to the hospital. Why cannot you do it.”
“Do not move him from the position, his injury will get worse.”Sajin said all these comments made him boil up with anger. “The people around me were only adding to the confusion. No one bothered to take prompt action. This made me think about all those accident victims who have lost their lives due to delay in getting medical attention,” said Sajin.
Just when he was about to lose hope somebody unlocked his phone and called his friends from PTP Nagar and Vazhuthacaud.
When they did not get the service of 108 ambulance, he was taken to the hospital in his friend Rahul’s car. Even at the hospital, he had to face the abysmal attitude of the staff. He could hear nurses making fun of a duty doctor who was afraid of blood. Sajin said, “Reality is a much more powerful than fiction we create.”