KOZHIKODE: Byari, a movie directed by noted theatre personality Suveeran, has been named as the best feature film at the 59th National Film Awards. The movie also has got the speciality of being the first film that has been made in the language of Byari, which is spoken in Mangalore, coastal Karnataka and adjoining parts of Kasargod.
Byari is the first feature film of Suveeran who has brought more than 30 plays to the stage. Produced under the banner of Thannir Films by Altaf Hussain, a native of Angelo, the star cast of the movie are: Mamukoya, Mallika, Majid, Ambika Mohan and K T S Padandhan. Popular actors of Dakshina Kannada like Rahim Uchil, Sherif Katipalla, Altaf Krishnapura and Roopa Varkadi also have acted in the movie.
Mamukoya has portrayed the role of 60-year-old Muhammed, a meat shop owner. “It is a good movie, which deserved an award. I am happy that I got to be a part of the movie,” said Mamukoya. Naadira, the lead character, is portrayed by Mallika, who also received a special jury mention for her performance in the movie.
“It is a very happy moment for me and for the whole movie crew. The national award was not something we had expected, while we were expecting more of regional recognitions,” said Suveeran. The director, while talking to media persons here on Wednesday, also said that he has committed to work in two upcoming movies.
Byari, based on Sara Abubakar’s novel, Chandragiri Theeradalli, had received wide appreciation at the film festivals where the movie had been screened. The misuse of ‘Iddath’ (marriage) and ‘Talaq’ (divorce) in the Muslim community is the key theme of the movie. “The movie, though is shot in a language that has no written script, depicts the story of the life of a Muslim girl through strong visual representation,” added Suveeran.