Aadujeevitham Review: Blessy and the team delivers a cinematic spectacle

Aadujeevitham is a story of two Malayali immigrants, Najeeb (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and Hakim (K S Gokul), who arrive at Saudi Arabia seeking a better life. But at the airport, they are picked by a local Arab and they mistake him as their employer. They are separated on their way and Najeeb is left to work in a remote desert goat herd. This survival drama follows their journey in those three four years of their life.

Prithivraj is phenomenal as Najeeb. He has delivered a performance of his lifetime. He brings out the struggle of the character both physically and emotionally. Equally, K S Gokul is also fantastic as Hakim. Two stellar performances that moves you emotionally. While the performances make you connect to the character, the Sunil’s cinematography helps you transport to the desert. The arid nature of desert comes across the screen and don’t be surprised if you feel thirsty during the film. Blessy’s conviction and vision to execute this story in real locations instead of sets makes it more effective and deserves applause.

The film is structured in non-linear manner, at least for the initial part where we see his life in Kerala. Its completely opposite to his life in the desert. He is a underwater swimmer, collecting the sand from the rivers. The visual in Kerala is moist and green with rain, trees and river which is stark opposite of the arid desert visual. Through non-linear editing and some stellar transitions (water overflowing on sand to river in Kerala was just wow) we feel the pain of Najeeb. Blessy keeps the film realistic and doesn’t make it melodramatic. Even some larger than life moments like goats helping him are shown subtly. AR Rahman’s score works well without overshadowing the performances. Everytime Periyone song comes, its juts magical.

Being based on a person’s real life, made me think about human spirt and life. Even Blessy and Prithviraj’s perseverance to make the film amongst the various struggles is also a tale of human spirit. At the end, Najeeb narrates that he just has his life to give to his wife & children unlike the other expats who might have expensive goods. To think of it, the life we live is itself a gift.

Verdict: Blessy and the team delivers a cinematic spectacle