Lives on screen a study of select malayalam biopics

Abstract

Cinema, a powerful and pervasive art form, transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, connecting people across the globe through shared emotions and universal human experiences, making it one of the most influential and widely enjoyed forms of entertainment and cultural expression. As a vast and varied terrain, the cinematic landscape encompasses a wide range of genres, from the thrilling escapism of action films to the thought-provoking explorations of philosophical dramas, including bio- pics that offer a unique window into the lives and achievements of remarkable indi- viduals. While Western cinema boasts a prolific tradition of biopic production, en- compassing a wide range of subjects from musicians and artists to political leaders and historical icons, Indian cinema, despite notable examples, exhibits a compara- tively less extensive corpus of biopics, often centering on a more circumscribed range of subjects. The Indian biopic, still a growing genre, often grapples with the delicate balance between historical accuracy and cinematic dramatization, navi- gating the complexities of portraying real-life figures while engaging audiences with compelling narratives. Though a relatively small segment of the industry, biopics in Malayalam have gradually evolved, transcending hagiographic representations to explore the complexities of human experience, offering nuanced depictions of its subjects. This thesis examines the evolving trajectory of the Malayalam biopic since 2010, observing a pronounced shift in focus from the public lives of its subjects to- wards a more intimate exploration of their private lives, as exemplified by films such as Yugapurushan, Makaramanju, Celluloid, Ennu Ninte Moideen, and Aami.