MA NISHADA

Submitted By: Punalur Chandrasekharan

MA NISHADA centers on seven-year-old Amina and her father, Jalil, who enforces the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on her. His wife, Shameena, protests, but Jalil reacts violently to assert his dominance. After the ritual, Amina lies unconscious and bleeding. The mother in Shameena rises. She rebels, terrifies Jalil, and-with the support of his brother-rushes Amina to the hospital. Jalil is left alone to confront the consequences of his actions. Ma Nishada explores the harrowing consequence of FGM and reveals how an individual is transformed when forced to confront their own beliefs. The tension, created in the very first frame, builds steadily and reaches its peak with the physical violation of the child. A revelation strikes Jalil’s mind as he reads the words of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: “If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends. If broken by an inside force, life begins.” This quote becomes the “inside force” that initiates Jalil’s spiritual awakening. But before he can act, a tender human body is mutilated. His redemption is quiet, gradual-a shift from blind tradition to heartfelt faith. As he purifies himself of his sins, his deeds become a manifestation of belief: mending the broken doll, freeing the goat. These are wordless testaments to a new beginning rooted in faith and empathy.