May. 20, 2022|India|106 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Crime;Drama;South;Indian;Thriller
Description: Keedam is a 2022 thriller centered around a tech expert who decides to take matters into her own hands to punish the men who harassed her via her cellphone. The story delves deeper into themes of justice and morality, going beyond a simple tale of revenge. Radhika Balan (played by Rajisha Vijayan), the protagonist, is initially portrayed as someone who strictly adheres to ethical standards in her use of technology. However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn when she chooses to confront her stalkers outside the bounds of the law.
A pivotal moment in the film occurs when her father, Balan (played by Sreenivasan), expresses his fear to her in a vulnerable tone. This scene is particularly striking because it challenges traditional gender norms in Indian cinema, where male characters rarely admit to feelings of fear or vulnerability, especially to their daughters. The film avoids reducing Radhika to a stereotypical “strong woman” archetype, whether as a roaring lioness or a divine, rage-filled figure. Instead, she is depicted as a relatable, real woman—intelligent, independent, and devoted to her father, yet also capable of making mistakes and acknowledging the dangers she faces.
Radhika is a bright, hard-working individual who runs her own tech start-up and lives with her father, a retired and respected lawyer. Her life takes a dark turn when she encounters a lascivious caller, provoking her to react fiercely. This angers the caller, who turns out to be a hardened criminal, leading to a tense battle of wits. As a cybersecurity professional, Radhika uses her expertise to counter his physical aggression, turning the tables on her tormentor. The title “Keedam” (meaning “pest”) is a clever twist, as it initially seems to refer to Radhika but ultimately reveals a deeper meaning.
The film stands out for its nuanced portrayal of its characters and its ability to work on multiple levels, offering both suspense and emotional depth.
Cast director: Rahul Riji Nair
Cast actor: Rajisha Vijayan, Sreenivasan, Vijay Babu, Manikandan Pattambi, Renjit Shekar, Srikanth Mohan, Arjun Ranjan, Vishnu Premkumar, Anand Manmadhan, Mahesh Nair
Original name: കീടം